Cheap long distance

[Muse]

The only reason I need LD at all is that once in a while (possible every 3 months on average these days) I need to fax out of my local call area, usually just a couple of pages. To do that, AFAIK, I need LD. If that's not true, please advise. I fax from my computer (not a machine) using fax software (Winfax Lite that came on my Norton Systemworks 2003 CD), using my one and only land line, which is also my land line phone and DSL line. For my long distance needs I have a cell phone and pay-as-you-go account, so I never call LD using my land line except the very occasional fax.

Right now I'm subscribed to PowerNet Global Communications. Even if I don't use LD at all, I get billed ~$1.20 on my credit card every month and get an email from them stating the charge. Is there a better way?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Cheaper than $14.40 a year?

<dr_zachary_smith> oh, the pain! </dr_zachary_smith>


"obscure?"

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Muse
The only reason I need LD at all is that once in a while (possible every 3 months on average these days) I need to fax out of my local call area, usually just a couple of pages. To do that, AFAIK, I need LD. If that's not true, please advise. I fax from my computer (not a machine) using fax software (Winfax that came on my Norton Systemworks 2003 CD), using my one and only land line, which is also my land line phone and DSL line. For my long distance needs I have a cell phone and pay-as-you-go account, so I never call LD using my land line except the very occasional fax.

Right now I'm subscribed to PowerNet Global Communications. Even if I don't use LD at all, I get billed ~$1.20 on my credit card every month and get an email from them stating the charge. Is there a better way?

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I just use a no-time expiring calling card.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Muse
The only reason I need LD at all is that once in a while (possible every 3 months on average these days) I need to fax out of my local call area, usually just a couple of pages. To do that, AFAIK, I need LD. If that's not true, please advise. I fax from my computer (not a machine) using fax software (Winfax that came on my Norton Systemworks 2003 CD), using my one and only land line, which is also my land line phone and DSL line. For my long distance needs I have a cell phone and pay-as-you-go account, so I never call LD using my land line except the very occasional fax.

Right now I'm subscribed to PowerNet Global Communications. Even if I don't use LD at all, I get billed ~$1.20 on my credit card every month and get an email from them stating the charge. Is there a better way?

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

I have no regular recipient these days, I have no idea who my next fax recipient will be. Could be some doctor, could be an entity with whom I'm hoping to get a job.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
I just use a no-time expiring calling card.

OK, I guess this is what I was hoping to discover. I guess this would save me money here. I use the card by dialing a certain number before dialing the fax number? I could use this with my fax software? How long would that number be that I'd have to dial before dialing the fax number. I think the fax software has its limit.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

i use a code of the numbers i'd have to dial followed by commas for pauses. I also have to hit 9 to get an outside line.

9,18001231234,1,2,11231234

The 9 gets the outside line from the college, the 1800 number dials the card's company, the 1 selects english, 2 says dial a call, and the last number is the fax number.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

I have no regular recipient these days, I have no idea who my next fax recipient will be. Could be some doctor, could be an entity with whom I'm hoping to get a job.

Understood, but "most" professionals will have an e-mail addy or at the very least net access no Muse?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

I have no regular recipient these days, I have no idea who my next fax recipient will be. Could be some doctor, could be an entity with whom I'm hoping to get a job.

Understood, but "most" professionals will have an e-mail addy or at the very least net access no Muse?

So, you are saying that there's bound to be a workaround, another way of getting them the information in lieu of fax? How would I use "net access?"

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
i use a code of the numbers i'd have to dial followed by commas for pauses. I also have to hit 9 to get an outside line.

9,18001231234,1,2,11231234

The 9 gets the outside line from the college, the 1800 number dials the card's company, the 1 selects english, 2 says dial a call, and the last number is the fax number.

Not sure I understand how your description relates to the sample above. Anyway, what company (or companies) have good offers for non-expiring calling cards, and how would I get one?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
i use a code of the numbers i'd have to dial followed by commas for pauses. I also have to hit 9 to get an outside line.

9,18001231234,1,2,11231234

The 9 gets the outside line from the college, the 1800 number dials the card's company, the 1 selects english, 2 says dial a call, and the last number is the fax number.

Not sure I understand how your description relates to the sample above. Anyway, what company (or companies) have good offers for non-expiring calling cards, and how would I get one?

Yesterday I googled up some sites and signed up with mobilecaller.com and their mobile seconds plan, $10 (+ $1 processing fee). It rounds to seconds (good for me because all my calls will be short faxes, 1-5 minutes, mostly under 3), 3.4 cents/minute, non-expiring, no monthly fees, no cancellation fees, etc. I set things up and made a successful trial fax. First trial failed I think because the pauses (2 of them) weren't long enough and I put ",,," in there the second time and it worked out. That call cost me 3 cents! I figure that faxing will now cost me 1/30th of what it was costing me until yesterday and I'm happy about that. If I do 4 faxes/year I will be paying about 50 cents instead of over $15. No monthly emails telling me I've been charged $1.20 for doing nothing.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

I have no regular recipient these days, I have no idea who my next fax recipient will be. Could be some doctor, could be an entity with whom I'm hoping to get a job.

Understood, but "most" professionals will have an e-mail addy or at the very least net access no Muse?

So, you are saying that there's bound to be a workaround, another way of getting them the information in lieu of fax? How would I use "net access?"

Possibly....email?

 

[Atheus]

what is this... 'fax'?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: sswingle

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Your recipient doesn't have an e-mail account or access to the net Muse?

I have no regular recipient these days, I have no idea who my next fax recipient will be. Could be some doctor, could be an entity with whom I'm hoping to get a job.

Understood, but "most" professionals will have an e-mail addy or at the very least net access no Muse?

So, you are saying that there's bound to be a workaround, another way of getting them the information in lieu of fax? How would I use "net access?"

Possibly....email?

Email isn't always acceptable for security reasons and protocols. Sometimes I'm asked to fax information, in particular a signed document in lieu of US Mail. In those circumstances my take on the situation is either stamped envelope and a drop or fax. Fax is cheaper and faster. Well, it's sure cheaper now that I've got the new "calling card." There's no card involved, just an account opened by CC payment, registration, a bit of config, etc.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Atheus
what is this... 'fax'?

Yeah, I know, I know... I wouldn't buy a fax machine, I have a fax modem, though. It really helps to be able to fax sometimes.