1010 Long Distance:
Is it as Cheap as They Say?

You may not know it, but the 1010 long distance business is a real money maker. Profits pay for cute TV commercials that generate even more profits.

No, those 1010 long distance calls don't really save you money at all. In fact, it makes those who sell the 1010 long distance service smile as they haul heavy sacks of your money to the bank.

You've seen the cute TV commercials for 1010 long distance.

You get to talk up to 20 minutes for only a buck ($1).

That's 5¢ per minute for 20 minutes.

But, what if like most people you don't talk for 20 minutes?

It's still a buck for all calls up to 20 minutes.

What if you only talk 10 minutes? It's still a buck -- now 10¢ per minute.

A 5 minute call will cost 20¢ per minute. WOW!

These calling rates are too high for most calls. But, as the cute TV commercials say, it's only a buck.

It's your buck. And most of it is clear profit for the promoters.

But, what if you talk longer than 20 minutes?

It's only 7.5¢ for each extra minute. That's a billing increment of a full minute.

But wait.

There are dozens of phone services that charge less than 5¢ per minute for calls of any length--many with 6 second billing increments.

      ..... there are three ways you can do better than the 10-10 calling rates--for calls of any length.

• Inexpensive phone companies for less than 5¢ per minute.

• Dialarounds like 1010 long distance with (4.5 ¢/min) flat rates for interstate calls

• Calling cards for less than 5¢ per minute.

As you can see, if you're using any of the 10-10 like services that have cute TV commercials, you're paying too much.