1800COLLECT (MCI) Warning

[chadk66]

I have been out of town working for the past 6 months or so. Like an idiot a half dozen times or so when I called home to the wife I used 1-800-Collect. What a huge mistake. The rates for those calls in the evening are $1.13 per minute. I almost died when I got the bill. I looked at my regular long distance carrier and it is .13 cents per minute. WOW. Talk about the fleecing of america. No wonder they can run such a huge add campaign. So I have been trying to get MCI to reduce my bill because I feel this is totally price goughing. I would imagine the majority of the people that are calling collect are people suffering financially. What a shame to prey on them financially. Anyway, just a warning to you guys that if you want to use 1800collect think twice about it, they don't disclose the rates when you call. That brings up another point. They should have to disclose the rates when you call. Anytime I buy something they have to tell me what it costs before I buy it. What do you guys think?

[callingcards]

sorry to hear about your situation. you might want to purchase a calling card at Sams Club or Wal Mart. The least expensive cards are at Sams Club. 3.47 cents per minute. this is really a great card without the surcharges. the surcharge on many cards makes them a bad deal. the ATT card from Sams has no surcharges. good luck with the MCI folks.

[rebs]

I bought a long distance phone card and the rate is only 3.5 cents per minute
that is cheaper than my long distance company as well
you can use it from anywhere home phone, pay phone, neighbors phone anywhere

rebs

[MAK]

Chad I've been in the Telecommunications industry for over 20 years and I couldn't agree with you more, stories such as your's is 1 in a long list of reasons why the industry has suffered over the past several years.

I've been using AT&T calling cards purchased at Sam's Club (and probably at Walmart too), not because I'm a fan of AT&T, Sam's Club or Walmart, but because 3.4 cents/minute long distance is difficult if not impossible for a small user to beat.

MAK

[Fish_on]

When I'm out of town, I call my wife collect and tell her what number I'm at and then hang up. She can call me back and we can yak all we want for a lot less than a collect call. If she already knows what number you can be reached at, call collect and ask for yourself. Then she can refuse the call and call you. Calling cards are also a good option, and I have an 800# in my office which I can forward to my home number too. All of these options are better than paying those terrible fees.

[chadk66]

I agree witht he cards. That's what I use now. I guess what I'm saying is that in this day as cheap as communications is, you would never expect $1.13 a minute. I feel that is so unethical it's ridiculous.

[Captain CallingCard]

There is a 9 credit SURCHARGE on WAL MART-SMS CLUB CARDS when calling from a payphone.

[BlueFin]

I cancelled my long distance at home and all we use are the Sam's cards. We each carry one and leave one by the phone. 27 cents to connect from a pay phone isn't bad.

[OrangeBarrel]

One area you may want to check out is NEXTEL. I have saved a huge amount of money with the direct connect feature that does not apply to your minutes. I have 5 phones and the reception is great and only getting better. For example, I was 60 miles north of Menomonee, MI talking to guys in Fond du Lac, WI on the direct connect. a Friend of mine was in St. Louis talking to guys in Wisconsin all on his 2-way direct connect. This service is great. Some places already have limited nationwide direct connect. Each of my monthly phone bills is 54.99 and that include 450 anytime minutes(shared to 2250 anytime minutes with the other phones), free nights and weekends and free long distance. Just a thought for you guys and gals out there.

[River Rat]

I had a bad experience with MCI with my home phone. I was quoted a rate to change my long-distance carrier. It was cheaper that I was paying-something like $.05/min. When I got the bill it was something like $.30/min. I called and complained but got no satisfaction. I paid the amount I thought I owed but continued to receive threats to have my phone service disconnected. Paid the remaining amount at $ 1.00 every month. When it got down to change, I ignored it for several months. Finally I sent them the change, superglued to a board. Never heard from them again.

[chadk66]

Yea, these are the kind of stories I was expecting would surface regarding MCI. Interested to hear others.

[guest]

I agree. I'm not one to vote for many more new laws but making them divulge the rates at time of calling would be a beneficial one. That would simply protect the consumer. After all what would stop them from charging $500 per minute. Just food for thought.

[Gilligan]

Aren't they the ones that advertize $.99 for 20 minutes?

We had our phone services slammed (they changed our LD service without authorization) and got a $500 bill for the month! They had to eat the entire bill.

[Walizz 1]

Here's another vote for a Sams Club card. We use it at home and on the road. Very inexpensive.

[lil boat]

Here is another vote for Sams Club

[Reels]

Another vote for Sam's Card also.

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[Yo Adrian]

Wait until you get a message on your answering machine to call a 1-809 number because a family member has become ill. $2400.00 per minute. Do not use any 1-809 numbers.

I would vote for At&t calling card from Sam's Club.

Watch out our you billing notice to make sure your long distance carrier (if you have one) is not selling you to another company and charging your $5 per month to buy you (customer) back.

This went on for two months before I realized what was going on and had that stoped on my phone. Some states are different (Laws) what for your sale our your long distance carrier.

[Box]

You are right chad, that is horrible. That is more than out of area cell long distance charge. And you are right, they are probably preying more on people who have a hard enough time with normal charges. I am glad (sorry for you) to hear of this, as I will tell everybody I know about it when talking phone charges.

Good luck,
-Box

[bellbuoy]

Had this happen with MCI, Sprint & AT&T, then went to pre-paid cards, and Sam's price on them are about the lowest.


Bellbuoy

[guest]

I think a boycot of all collect calling is in order. Also maybe we better not buy MCI calling cards either.