Re: Payphone Surcharges (was: Unanswered Cellphones)

In message <telecom24.585.13@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> hancock4@xxxxxxxxxxxx
wrote:

> John Levine wrote:

>> The amount the payphone owner charges the calling card company is
>> regulated, but you are correct that they can mark it up as much as
>> they want. I would think that the obvious solution would be to find a
>> calling card that doesn't. It's not like there is a shortage of
>> options.

> Well, one obvious option is to require payphones to run like any other
> business and post its rates clearly on the phone. Today, pay phones
> still treat customers like the old days, where toll charges were
> instantly available 24/7 by asking the operator, so there was no need
> to post rates. Yet, they don't charge like that nor make the pricing
> known. That IS sleazy business to hide your costs.

> Another example of how modern day phone "competition" screws customers.
> But we're just so better off that we got rid of the evil Bell System!
> <sarc>

Huh?

Payphones do disclose their costs. The cost for a local call is
usually printed right on the phone, and as soon as you dial a long
distance call you'll be told (either via a display, or by a voice)
what you're being charged.

The costs charged by payphone operator to a calling card operator
aren't any of your concern, all that you (as a consumer) need to worry
about is the cost your calling card charges you.

That's between you and your calling card provider, and the rates are
clearly disclosed on most cards these days.

.

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