Tips help decode deals with long-distance carriers

If you are shopping for a long-distance carrier and are baffled by all the ads, offers and confusing claims, here’s how to sort out what’s a good deal and what’s not.

. Carefully review all information related to price. Watch for hidden monthly fees. When an ad promises 10 cents a minute, watch for any monthly fees or surcharges you’ll have to pay to get that low rate. Beware also of minimum charges for each call.

If every call has a 50-cent minimum, even a two-minute call can cost you 50 cents. On “up to 20 minutes for a dollar” plans, a one-minute call or a message you leave on an answering machine costs a dollar.

. Watch out for plans where the rates can climb. An ad may say that calls up to 20 minutes are a dollar. Look for information on what happens to the rate structure after 20 minutes. Rates may increase dramatically once you have exceeded 20 minutes.

. Make certain there aren’t restrictions on the advertised rates. Is the advertised rate available when you want it? Some rates may apply only at certain times of the day or only on certain days of the week. What are the rates at the other times? Does the plan fit your lifestyle, schedule and pattern of calling?

. There can also be geographic restrictions. Determine if the advertised rate is available on all long-distance calls – those that you make to someone in another state as well as those that you make to someone in another city in your own state? Some plans do not include long-distance calls in the same state. Find out what those rates are and factor them in when you make your decision.

. Some rates apply only during a particular promotional period. Make sure the advertised rates remain constant over time rather than as an introductory offer that’s good for a limited time – like the first 60 days of your subscription. If the special rate is part of a promotion that ends after a period of time, what are the rates once the promotion is over?

. Comparative claims can be misleading. Figure them out before choosing a plan. An ad promising “50 percent off the basic rate” isn’t a good deal because the “basic” rate is another term for the highest rate available. Also compare services. When ads compare calling rates, are the services comparable? Is the information on both sides of the comparison as current as possible?

. In all cases, read fine print. Offers and restrictions vary. Each long-distance provider has its own deals. Read the details from all the companies you are considering before you sign up. If you have questions, call the company for an explanation. Doing this advance work before making a choice could save you lots of money.

. No matter what long-distance carrier you choose, review your monthly bills carefully. Pay close attention to the numbers called, length of calls, and other charges. Check to make sure you are being charged exactly what you expected. If you think there’s a mistake, or if you just don’t understand your bill, call your provider for an explanation. If the company doesn’t respond to your concerns, file a complaint with Northeast COMBAT’s Maine Center for the Public Interest.

For additional information about telephone service plans, call the Federal Communication Commission’s toll-free number, (888) CALL-FCC (888-225-5322): TTY users (888) 835-5322. You may also write the Consumer Information Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 or visit the FCC’s Internet site at www.fcc.gov.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information, write Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.