Senior Citizen Calling Tips

The AARP, American Association of Retired Persons,
( http://www.aarp.org/ ) conducted a survey in 2000
entitled, “Consumer Understanding of pricing Practices and
Savings Opportunities in Long Distance Telephone Industry.”
This report was an update of an earlier survey conducted in
1998. As the title implies, the survey examines the pricing
issues surrounding long distance calling plans in the market
and the public’s awareness, with a particular focus on
people over 50, of these types of savings plans. Only
one-quarter of those interviewed 65 and older, looked for
long distance calling plans that would save them money.
More alarming was the fact that only a little more than 40%
knew that the best rate was not the standard rate. To read

the complete report, click here.
( http://research.aarp.org/consume/d17192_longdis.pdf )

Since deregulation, there are literally dozens, if not
hundreds, of calling plans available in the market today.
This has been a windfall for consumers but unfortunately all
of the various plans and options can become very confusing
for most consumers – particularly our elderly who grew up
during the AT&T only reign. Please read on if you or one of
your family members fall into this category. We offer these
tips to help cut through some of the confusion and ease the
burden (pain) of selecting a calling plan that will save
them considerable sums over time.

• Telemarketing Issues:
Telemarketers and receiving spam email are one in the same,
as far as I am concerned. With unwanted email you can hit
the delete key; with telemarketers simply hang up. Besides,
selecting a calling plan should be done with full knowledge
and disclosure and reading the fine print. You cannot do
that over the phone and you can rest assured that the
telemarketer is not going to be terrible forthcoming. As
the drug commercials say, just say no – then hang up.

• Peak versus Off-Peak Rates:
You need to look for a calling plan that delivers the same
low price, any time and all of the time. Although there are
numerous plans out there that offer different rates for
different times and weekends, they have the tendency to
mystify and bewilder mere mortals such as you and me.

• First Steps:
Start with people you know and trust; family members, close
neighbors and business associates if appropriate. Ask who
they use and why; what their rates are and if there are any
limitations. Check with them on whether there are monthly
fees and minimums with their calling plan and most
important, whether they are satisfied with their service and
would recommend their carrier to others. Answers to these
types of questions will get you pointed in the right
direction at least. Also, if you hear the same company
recommended by more than one friend then you need to look
into their plans first.

• Primary Considerations:
Unfortunately, getting the right calling plan requires a
little work on your part. You need to study your telephone
calling behavior, check for patterns, times, particular
cities that you call more frequently and so forth. Do you
make most of your calls locally, within the State or
State-to-State? Are you a large consumer of International
calls? Once you understand your personal calling habits and
patterns you can begin to focus your attention on which
carrier will best meet those need and meet your expectations
with the most competitive price. Match your calling pattern
with the recommendations you received from others in the
first step above. Is there a good fit? If so, pursue them
further.

• Monthly Fees:
There are many calling plans available in the marketplace
that does not force you to pay a monthly fee. Avoid monthly
fees if at all possible. Even more so if you do not make
many calls. One more word of caution, do not buy in to the
hype about low state-to-state rates because in some cases,
lurking in the fine print may be a monthly fee. It’s like
spotting an attractive lady across a dimly lit room, once
the makeup and wig comes off you discover the true ugliness
lurking beneath.

• Leasing versus Owning the Phone:
There is no reason today to lease a telephone from your
local carrier. Check your telephone bill and see if there
is a line item for leased equipment. If there is, head down
to your local retailer that sells telephones and pick up a
phone that suits your needs. Chances are you will be able
to purchase a telephone with more features and at a cost
that will save you a tidy sum every year. There are many
retailers that sell phones for well under $100 with some
below $50. There are many telephone carriers that charge
leasing fees up to $20.00 per month or $240 per year. Today
that is just a waste of money.

• Cramming:
Get into the habit of reviewing your telephone bill every
month. Although reputable telephone carriers do not indulge
in the spurious practice of cramming, they do occasionally
make a mistake. Cramming is the practice of placing
additional charges for goods and services on your telephone
bill that you did not authorize or purchase. It is illegal.
In the case of a mistakes or suspected cramming, you need to
contact the company and ask them, politely initially, to
explain the charges. If you didn’t authorize the purchase
then ask your carrier to remove it from your bill. If they
fail to remove the charge from your bill, and you feel that
the charge is wrong, then contact your local office of

Public Utilities or go to the FCC web site and file a
complaint.

• Added Features:
There are many fine features that can be added to your
telephone service to enhance its functions and permit a
broader range of useful information. But if you are like
me, and could care less about the fancy bells and whistles,
remove those services that you really don’t need or want.
Unfortunately, there are many seniors that are sold a
package of goods and services when they sign up for a new
service or when telemarketers call with the latest gizmo.
If you don’t need it, don’t get it. If you have it and
don’t use it, remove it. All of these little “extras”
increase your bill and could be a waste of money.

• Saving on Calling Plans with Fixed or Low Income:
The Federal Government is committed to providing telephone
service to all Americans. The Federal Universal Service
Fund includes the low-income program; which provides
discounts on telephone installation and basic monthly
service to qualifying consumers. There are two components
to the low income program, Lifeline Assistance (“Lifeline”)
and Link-Up America (“Link-Up”). Lifeline and Link-Up are
available to all qualifying low-income consumers nationwide.
The FCC’s enhanced Lifeline and Link-UP programs, however,
which offer additional discounts, are available only for
qualifying consumers living on Tribal Lands. Check with
your local provider and ask about these programs in order to
earn discounts on the basic telephone service. For more
information about these low income programs click here.
( http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.pdf )

• Changing Long Distance Carriers too Much Trouble:
Many people feel that switching carriers is just too much
trouble and a bit too confusing. They are probably right.
But in any event, if you decide to keep your existing
carrier then at least check with them to make sure you are
getting the best value for your money and the cheapest rates
they offer. Do some of the other tips we suggest here, such
as getting rid of leased equipment and extra features and
you will be able to trim your bill substantially.