Regarding long distance phone service.

[RitaZ.]

We make very few long distance calls (out of state), but we have MCI as our long distance carrier for the times that we do. This month we had no long distance calls, but still received a bill for about $7. Apparently there is a "minimum usage fee" and they add taxes to that amount.

I'm going to call and cancel our service with them. I checked another local phone company and they also charge this fee. I guess we could just use our cell phones to make long distance calls.

My question is: are there any other companies that don't charge this fee? Is this something new?

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, those fees are very common. We only do about $10 or less a month long distance, (usually only about $5).. but with the service fees/tax.. it was nutty.

We opted with a slightly higher per minute rate, but no monthly fee.

This is through Verizon. And yes, our monthly long distance is lower.

 

[cinlee3]

Good luck getting MCI to cancel. It took us 6 months and many, many phone calls from me and Verizon to get them to stop charging us the monthly fee. It was ridiculous.

I will never, ever sign up for MCI again!!!

 

[RitaZ.]

Well, something is wrong when you are paying more for fees and taxes than the actual phone calls (at least in our case). Last month, we were billed for one phone call which was less than $2, yet the fees and taxes were 3 times as much as the call. They are ripping off people!

Cinlee, thanks for the warning.

 

[hercamore]

We have ATT and there is no minimum.

What a ripoff! Sorry to hear this.

herc.

 

[ahutton]

That is exactly why we just cancelled Long Distance completely. I have a Sprint cell phone with 200 anytime plus 2800 night and weekend minutes that I pay a flat rate for. It's about time I started using some of those!

 

[Ladygator]

I would suggest calling MCI customer service and inquiring about their different plans. I know they have many different plans, some require a minimum monthly charge for a lower per minute fee and some require no monthly charge for a higher per minute fee. They should be able to change it to no monthly fee if that is what you want.

 

[Pin Wizard]

The first time I saw it on a bill with AT&T, I called and complained. They have a different plan where there's no minimum charge. Zero! I've had that one ever since.

 

[RitaZ.]

Well, it's done, cancelled that is.

At first, they tried to talk me into using another plan, where you pay a higher per-minute rate (which I would have considered) PLUS a $.35 connection charge every time you make a long distance call. No, thanks!

At this point, it's all based on principle. With all the competition out there, they should be grateful that consumers want to give them their business.

 

[cassie]

I use USA DataNet for my long distance and love it. There is no monthly fee, and calls are 99 cents a call. Talk as long as you want for 99 cents. I live in Conneticut, and it is good from Maine to Pa, beyond that it is $1.99 a call. They are big in the Northeast and spreading rapidly. I know parts of Florida have just gotten service. No monthly fee and you don't have to switch long distance with what ever other service you have.

They also have internet service for us still using dial-up...$9.95 a month, unlimted hours!! I have both, and think they are a great deal.

http://usadatanet.com/