Phone Cards: Reading the Fine Print
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AT&T Sim Card Brand New Unactivated Sale Price: $0.01  |
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SKU #71234 - Brand New - Unused - Unactivated - Replace a lost or damaged card - Use as backup - or even with PrePaid! Retail Price at AT&T Store - $24.95! Brand New Never activated / unused / unpunched AT&T 3G 64k Sim Card - The Latest & Greatest Sim Card From AT&T! You can replace your existing AT&T sim card with this sim card, or use it to activate new service with AT&T! Use this sim card to replace your lost/damaged sim and still keep your existing phone number... |
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Simple Mobile Unlimited Prepaid Sim Card Sale Price: $0.01 |
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Simple MobileTM is, well, simple. The hottest products, outstanding service, and absolutely no compromises. It's the freedom of mobility without contracts, credit checks or hidden fees. Simple is more than just part of our name... |
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Brand New ATT 3g Sim Card 4 At&t + Cingular Never Used Sale Price: $0.01 |
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Brand new AT&T Cingular 3G Sim card this item is brand new never used or activated you can use it for new activation or add a line to your account or to replace your lost stolen broken sim card it stores up to 500 phone numbers super fast shipping! |
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T-mobile Sim Card Brand New! Unactivated Replacement Sale Price: $0.01 |
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Brand NEW T-MOBILE SIM CARDTHIS ITEM IS BRAND NEW NEVER USED OR ACTIVATEDYOU CAN USE IT FORNEW ACTIVATION OR ADD A LINE TO YOUR ACCOUNTOR TO REPLACE YOUR LOST STOLEN BROKEN SIM CARDIT STORES UPTO 500 PHONE NUMBERS SUPER FAST SHIPPING! |
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SimCardGlobal Atlas +44 International Pre-paid Dual US/UK SIM Card for 195+ countries + $5 airtime credit Sale Price: $39.00 |
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Buy Atlas +44 International Dual SIM card with USA and UK numbers, Insert it into your unlocked GSM mobile phone and you are ready to talk to and from most countries around the world. It is that simple! The ultimate solution for international travelers, business, expats, students and backpackers... |
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USA Prepaid Phone Card Only $19.99 - Digitz Black Sale Price: $19.99 |
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Digitz International Prepaid Calling and Phone Cards that have many features including easy recharging, auto-recharge. Digitz offers great quality of international calls to any cellular and landline in USA! + Prepaid Calling & Phone Cards + Cheap Calling & Phone Cards + International Calling Cards + Long Distance Phone Cards + Calling Cards in International Services |
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International Prepaid SIM Card for 190 Countries |
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Save up to 90% on international cell phone calls versus your current wireless carrier from and to most international destinations. All that's required is a compatible unlocked GSM cell phone. If you already own an unlocked GSM cell phone, then you just need our prepaid International SIM Card to start using your phone around the world! Compare our rates to your domestic wireless carrier like AT&T or T-mobile where the rates are as high as $5 per minute, and the savings will add up fast... |
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T-mobile Prepaid Sim Card Sale Price: $0.01 |
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AirVoice prepaid GSM SIM card with $5 credit starter kit Sale Price: $3.79 |
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US Prepaid Red Pocket Mobile Sim Card Sale Price: $4.48 |
Although traditional cell phone plans offer the most economical calling for most cell phone users based on their lower per minute cost, there are certainly other options. Prepaid phone cards are one of the alternatives. By eliminating any deposits, credit checks, commitments, and monthly fees, prepaid cards can be a good choice for international travelers, infrequent users, and those with poor or no credit history.
Anyone purchasing a phone card might also want to be aware of some of their quirkier characteristics as well. To understand charges and how things will be billed, buyers need to be sure to read the fine print on the card and its packaging. Within this text should be an explanation of a few of the little extras and surprises that can crop up unexpectedly if buyers don't study these details regarding a prospective prepaid phone card.
What does a minute cost?
Certainly the first question is the per minute cost of calling. Rates tend to be higher outside of traditional cell phone plans. This is the cost of avoiding commitments, deposits, monthly fees, and credit checks.
Is a minute really a minute?
Obviously, the per minute rate is a primary consideration just as with any cell phone plan. But knowing how a minute is billed is important also. Some cards will round billing out in 2 or 3 minute increments; thus, although a given call might only last 1 minute, that very call may consume 3 minutes of calling time. Without being aware of the strange math behind the billing of a particular phone card, a user would be unable to solve the mystery of evaporating talk time.
Connection fees, maintenance fees, and taxes oh my!
Reading further, users may discover that not only is there the per minute rate to consider but also a handy connection fee which is charged every time they hook up with someone. The amount varies from card to card, but can be significant. Other cards tack on a maintenance fee; these are often added on monthly throughout the active life of the card.
The description on the card may also explain any applicable tax or additional fees that may come up.
Your time is up!
One final thing to be aware of is the time limit on using the minutes on a card. Many cards have a set period of time in which minutes are to be used; after this point in time the minutes are forfeited. Being aware of these time limits can assure users don't find themselves without calling time when they least expect it.
Prepaid phone cards are certainly a convenience and an appropriate choice in a number of situations. However, cell phone users need to become acquainted with the details outlined on the card and packaging to assure they understand the true cost of using them.
The author, Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Visit her site for simple, useful information and shopping for cell phones and cell phone plans.
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