Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 7:33:19 EDT From: Ken Jongsma Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: GTE Calling Card Message-ID: Organization: TELECOM Digest Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 322, Message 4 of 10 Lines: 53 I should preface this by saying that I worked for GTE in a previous incarnation. Although the division I worked in was not connected with telephone operations, it too ocasionally exhibited certain 'GTE' traits. But I digress... Today I received my 'new' GTE credit card. Nothing has changed (number wise), so the only reason I can see that they sent it was that it has a new graphic design on it. (Well, that's enough to change _my_ calling habits. How about yours?) Anyway, some comments: 1) GTE is trying perpetuate the myth that AT&T started about eight years ago, when AT&T went to great expense trying to convince everyone that they no longer had a telephone credit card, but really had a 'calling card'. Several years later, AT&T was quoted in one of the industry trades complaining that people weren't treating their 'calling cards' like credit cards. Sheesh! Hey Folks: If it looks like a credit card, it's a credit card. My Amoco card only works at Amoco and not at Sears. It's also a credit card and not a post payment automotive services finance device. 2) GTE has dropped the international number from the card with no explanation. 3) Consider the following quote from the card instructions: With your GTE Calling Card, convenient, economical calling priviledges become as close as the nearest phone. Whether you're using a public or private phone, calls with your card go through quickly and easily! When you make calls with your GTE Calling Card, you also avoid the higher charges associated with collect calls or billing to a third number. And, you'll never have to cut your calls short because you've run out of change. Report all lost or stolen [...] How to use your GTE Calling Card: [Paraphrased - krj] 1. Press "0" plus the area code and number you're calling. 2. Wait for the tone and enter your GTE Calling Card number. Not one word about COCOTs and the dangers of blindly entering your card number after the tone. Ouch! Then again, maybe they like the commissions they get for billing COCOT calls. :( Ken Jongsma ken@wybbs.mi.org Smiths Industries ken%wybbs@sharkey.umich.edu Grand Rapids, Michigan ..sharkey.cc.umich.edu!wybbs!ken