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Use your radio for time and
weather information instead of your phone.
Dial calls "direct".
Charges increase when an operator is involved.
Phone during discount rate periods
- evening, night and weekend hours.
Call when holiday rates are
in effect, generally all day for legal holidays such as Christmas,
New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, etc.
Avoid calls that require the
services of an operator: collect calls, credit card calls, calls
charged to another number, time & charge, etc.
Avoid "person-to-person"
telephone calls.
Many firms have toll-free "800"
numbers.
Most airlines, railways, bus
lines, hotels, motels, rent-a-car chains, etc. will pay for your
call. Look them up in your directory for the "800"
number.
Many businesses have "Zenith"
or "Enterprise" prefixes. They are toll-free also.
Check your directory for such numbers before dialing.
Plan your phone calls in advance,
especially when dialing long distance. Some areas have unassisted
1-minute calls that can save you money.
If you phone someone frequently,
"schedule" your calls. In this way, you can dial direct
when the person you want to reach will be there.
If you reach a wrong number,
call the operator right away so that you won't be charged for
it. If this happens with a coin phone, the telephone company
will mail you a refund.
If you have a bad connection
or get cut-off, both parties should hang up. Whoever placed the
call should tell the operator about the problem. The operator
will then reestablish the call and make an adjustment.
Extension phones cost extra.
Have them installed only when necessary.
If a coin phone takes your money
and doesn't complete the call, notify the phone company by calling
from another phone. Give them the number of the faulty phone
and they will mail you a refund.
If you are going away for over
60 days, you can temporarily suspend your phone service. This
rate is lower than most regular rates.
When relocating, have all phone
installations done at the same time.
There are usually no time limits
on local calls. However, "nearby" and long distance
rates are based on 1-minute and 3-minute units. Consult your
directory or phone company before calling, to get the lowest
rate.
If you dial a number often that
does not appear in your current phone directory, jot it down
instead of dialing Directory Assistance each time.
Anticipate the number of calls
you make each month. Then talk to your phone company and select
the most economical type of service.
Have all family members included
under one directory listing.
Don't permit guests or business
associates to use your phone to make personal long distance calls.
If you use your residence phone
for business purposes, you may be able to deduct a portion of
your phone bill for business purposes. Check with your nearest
Internal Revenue Service office.
Residence phone rates are generally
less than business phone rates.
Pay telephone bills promptly.
If you become delinquent, your phone may be disconnected. A charge
will be made later to restore service.
Instead of an extension phone,
have a longer cord installed on your phone.
If possible, call long distance
"collect".
Article Posted: 2003 |
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