MIke: Thanx for posting your personal exp. w/"10XXX" LD usage. Please let me add a couple of comments to your info:
<MIKE>:... I will now include 10009 in my experiment. I'll be sure, however, to make at least $25 in LD calls with AT&T, just so I get the discount, otherwise it's not a fair competition.
<BPL>: Obviously, I wish EVERYONE of you would perform an experiment like this from wherever you are, however, if you recall, I stated that "10XXX" rates do NOT depict the BEST rates that TWT will offer you. A better experiment, IMHO, would be for you to email (mikeirwin@hti.net) Mike Irwin or call him (1-800-569-2280) and inform him that you would like to try one (or two!) TWT lines at your home/office via the "Special Shareholder Program!" That kind of feed-back will help motivate them to get it off of the shelf and into the field!
I mean we're talking 'bout INTER-state rates approaching 9 cents per minute! Lets bombard them with requests for service from Shareholders. Good Grief, ;-), we have MORE to gain than anyone by doing this. IMHO, every buck of profit we help TWT/ISGI drop to the bottom line increases shareholder value $25!!!+!!! based on a 25:1 PE Ratio. (Steph, John, et al, tell 'em!)
<MIKE>: Story #2: At my last apartment I had two phone lines, one with AT&T, and one with
MCI. After browsing on the net, I decided to switch the MCI line to Cable and
Wireless, since it was allegedly cheaper. Only problem was that, even though I faxed in
the paperwork and received a US Mail (and e-mail) message that I was switched, I
dialed some test number (1-700-something) and it told me I was still connected to
MCI. Seemed that I was prevented from switching. I was told that I would have to
contact my local telco directly and make them switch me. So, obvoiusly, I didn't bother
with it.
<BPL>: The "700" number is: 1-700-555-4141. If you dial that Special Number, your local telco will answer back with a message informing you that "XYZ Communications" is your LD carrier. That means that ALL of your 1+ LD calls over THAT line are handled by "XYZ Comm." Checking that number (1-700) periodically will help you keep from being "slammed" by another LD company, ie, if AT&T, MCI or SPRINT "misunderstands" you when you call for info on one of their myriads of new products and "switches" you (believe me, they KNOW your number when you call them), you'll know it immediately and can take corrective action to switch back to your Carrier of choice.
The BEST action, however, to prevent an LD Carrier from switching you against your wishes, is to:
1.) Call your local telco business office.
2.) Inform them that you don't want ANY changes in your LD Carrier without your WRITTEN permission.
3.) They will send you a form to sign and return to them.
4.) Enter ALL of your lines on that form.
5.) This forces the local telco to turn a "flag" on in your customer account that will reject ANY AND ALL electronic attempts by LD's to switch you!
That's why Mike was unable to change to MCI above: That "flag" was activated... by someone in the local telco.
<MIKE>: This last story has relevance to TWT agents, since they may run into this problem with people they switch.
<BPL>: Absolutely TRUE! To keep this from happening, the TWT Agent should contact all new customers and recommend that the new cust. contact their local telco and request to "freeze" their LD choice on CIC code "10009", TWT. Please email Mike Irwin at the above email address for further info.
<MIKE>: Anyway, when I get my next phone bill, I'll post a "real" comparison of TWT vs 10297 vs AT&T w/True Reach savings. If I think I'll save money in the long run with TWT, then I'll become an agent, switch, and get all my family & friends to switch too :-). If I don't think I'll save money in the long run with TWT, then hell, I'd better sell my ISGI stock :-).
<BPL>: Again, a "10XXX" test of TWT would not be the BEST way of testing their rates. IMO, switch a line or two to their CIC code via the "Shareholder Program" and give us a comparison from that!
Hope this adds to your library of LD info! Have a good one!
Fellow Investor,
Bob Lewis
bpli.com |
