|
Customer Service :
- Please
Note: Once the PIN
number is delivered to the customer, the sale is final. The
PIN cannot be returned. If you have a problem with the connection
or the charges,
- call the
customer service number for the card that is listed on any card
information page.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.
FAQ:
1 Phone
calling card types explained.
2 Phone calling card charges explained.
3 Phone calling card billing explained.
Phone
calling card types explained.
Q) What is a
prepaid card?
A) A prepaid card is exactly what the
name implies. You pay a fixed amount up front which may be for units,
minutes or Dollars. Typically the time based phone cards come in
increments of 100, 300, 600, or 1000 minutes. Dollar based phone cards
start at $5 and go up to around $300.
Q) What is a credit based phone card?
A) This is a phone card which is monthly
billed. (Normally to your credit card.)
Q) What is a re-chargeable or
re-usable phone card?
A) This is exactly what the name implies.
It is also user friendly as you only buy the original card. You can
instantly add more calling time using a credit card. Service providers
have toll-free numbers or you can access their web sites. Certain
cards allow you to prepay using wire transfers or cheques - this
obviously has a time implication and users are advised that your
recharge can take up to 15 days to clear and be activated. Many
providers now also have an e-mail payment system like PayPal. You can
e-mail your payment for your airtime.
Q) What is an instant PIN?
A) Certain providers will provide you
with an instant phone card (often by e-mail) provided you pay for it
up front either with cash or with a credit card. You don't get a piece
of plastic. You just get your PIN number. These cards are normally low
value and expire.
Q) What is an International Phone
Card?
A) An international phone card is one
which can be used from a whole variety of countries in the world. Each
international calling card is different and will be restricted to use
in the countries with which the phone card company has reciprocity. Be
sure to check that your International Phonecards works from the
country you will be visiting before you go. International calling
cards are also used to bypass a country's existing carriers and use
the carrier of another country. (Often with immense savings).
Phone
calling card charges explained.
Q)
Please explain the different fee structures.
A) All phone cards have a combination
of one or more of the following charges:-
-
Time based charge
(Rounding):-
The actual time you spend on-line either in units purchased or
a time increment in seconds. The time increments vary from 1
second to 5 minutes.
-
Connection Fee:-
A one off charge for initiating a single call. Each and every
time you use the card and your party answers, you will be charged
a connection fee which will be deducted from the available
minutes. This amount is deducted from the card value either in
money or in minutes. If a calling card has a very low per minute
rate, the chances are it has either a high connection fee or a
surcharge. It is a logical extension that cards with a connection
fee are hopeless for short duration phone calls whereas they may
be highly effective for long duration calling.
-
Initial
Connection/Weekly/Monthly Service/Maintenance Fees:-
Some cards have an initial set up fee. This could be a one off
just to get you on the road. Some, however, charge a weekly or
monthly fee of around $1.00. This is charged after the first time
that the card is used and is deducted in minutes or dollar from
the card. Even if you are not using your calling card you may be
racking up a charge.
-
Pay Phone/Cellular
Phone Charges
Nearly all phone card calls originating from a Pay Phone are
charged a fee per call. This is required by federal law and the
fee typically ranges from $.35 to $.50 per call. This goes to pay
Uncle Sam or the owner of the payphone. This amount is deducted in
minutes from the card. If your cellular or mobile phone company
allows you to call from your mobile phone, there maybe a charge
per call fee. Some Cell phone contracts do not allow the use of
alternate carriers like phonecards or dial around services.
-
Taxes
There are FCC/State/Local charges taxes based on where the
call originates. (This is the same tax that appears on your phone
bill each month and is calculated on each call.) Normally this is
factored into the rate but it can be deducted separately and will
be deducted from the value of the card.
Phone
calling card billing explained.
Q) Who keeps
the score and how are the minutes used recorded?
A) As calls are made, the number of
usable minutes is automatically deducted from the card balance by the
phone card provider. Connection fees and surcharges are converted into
minutes and deducted in the same way as the call is made. This is
normally recorded on the calling card company's computer system. Some
cards (particularly the early calling cards) record the usage on the
actual card itself.
Q) How do I know how much time, (or
money) is left on my card?
A) Your balance is normally given
each time you call the access number and enter your PIN.
Q) How do I know I am running out of
minutes on a prepaid card?
A) On most cards you are notified how
many minutes are remaining at the beginning of each call. In general
you will be interrupted during your conversation when you are down to
the last two or three minutes.
Q) Is there a charge if I get a busy
signal?
A) In principle the value of your
calling card should not reduce if you encounter a busy signal. There
are basically two reasons you would get a busy signal:-
-
Your access number produces a busy
signal. This means that there are too many callers using this
phone card. Try again later. If the problem persists change to
another phone card.
-
The busy signal is generated at the
destination you are calling. This is often beyond the control of
your calling card company. Remember international destinations
have different customs, time zones and peak load periods. The
quality of the telephone exchange system at the destination can
also be a factor. Try your call again later. If the problem
persists change to another phone card.
Q) What do I
do if my call gets disconnected?
A) The clock stops ticking on the
disconnect. If your card has a surcharge you will pay it again on
the re-connect. You can box with customer service about this if you
really want to or if it becomes a persistent problem. Try again! If
the problem persists change phone cards.
Q) Will I be charged if I make a call
and no one answers?
A) As long as the call isn't
answered you should not pay anything. If you dial an incorrect
number, or the call is answered by an answering machine or voice
mail, you will be charged the full connection fee (if there is one
for the particular phone card you are using). You will also be
charged for the minutes used.
Q) Will I get the same rate per minute
rate on every call I make?
A) Yes! if it is a flat rate card
with no surcharges.
No! if it has a connection/maintenance/surcharge fee - the true per
minute rate will vary based on the call duration.
Q) Is the rate the same 24 hours a day?
A) The per minute charge part of
the cost calculation is normally constant 24 hours a day.(Remember
the surcharge, if there is one, effects the total rate).
Q) Are
calls to cell phones more expensive?
A) Yes,
calls to cell phones cost a few cents more.
Q) Are
phone calls a "Voice over IP" service?
A) No
our Phone Cards Calls are placed on a n international fiber-optic
network which allows for the same quality as the major carriers.
Because of our position as an international carrier, we can offer
rates that can complete with most Voice over IP services, yet we avoid
the often low quality of Voice over IP.
Q) Can
I use my Phone Card to dial another country other than the country I
originally bought the card for?
A) Yes,
however, the rates that are advertised on the web only apply to the
specific country in which the card was intended. Please visit the
respective rate page for the destination
Q) Do
the advertised rates apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
A) Yes,
our rates are good 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and assume the
entire card is used on a single call.
Q) If
my Phone Card expires can I be reimbursed for the unused portion of
the card?
A) No
please make sure to exhaust your Phone Card prior to 60 days from the
date of purchase
Q) Is
it save to purchase your service over the internet?
A) Our
technology makes it possible for sensitive data to be safely
transmitted over the Internet, the information is encrypted using
proprietary and secure socket layer (ssl) technology
Q) Is
there a connection fee for the Phone Cards?
A) Depending
upon what card you are purchasing there could be a connection charges.
We also have cards without connection charges.
Q) Other
Questions?
A) If
you have any questions, please call our customer service at toll free
1-877-463-4233 Or E-mail us at info@123gm.com
Q) What
if I do not have a credit card? Is there another way to purchase from
A1phonecards.com?
A) Yes
we also accept e-check just go to our order form it will guide you
through the e-check procedure it works just like credit cards.
Q) How
can i see my account information?
A) We
will save your account activities for 3-4 weeks .After that we delete
the data and have no records of your account activities (coming soon)
Q) How
do I use my phone card?
A) Here
are the steps to follow: Dial the toll free access number. When
prompted, enter your PIN number or authorization code When prompted,
dial the destination number: For US calls 1 + Area Code + Number,
International calls 011 + Country Code + City Code + Number
Q) Can
I recharge my Phone Card?
A) No,
You cannot recharge your Phone Card, you may always purchase another
one through our website. When reordering, simply make your purchase
selection and enter your Log In information. Your new Phone Card(s)
will be issued immediately! (coming soon).
Q) Can
we use PayPhone to make calls?
A) Yes!
Calls can be made from PayPhone usually There are some charges
associates when making calls from payphones Usually 69¢ to 99¢.
|
|
|
Call
anywhere from anywhere with the cheapest prices ever!!!!