Can someone please tell me the cheapest long distance to use for calls?

Thanks,
Tammy

I'm going to go with either SKYPE (if the other client has SKYPE the call is FREE) or a long (and International) distance calling card which is very reasonable and I can refill it as I need. Both are what I use depending on the need. Good luck!

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The Doctor's Rx
"The Doctor's Prescription for Success"

I use a MagicJack and love it. You must have a DSL or better Internet connection and your computer must be on to use it but it's great for long distance. It comes with voice mail, caller id, and 911. The one thing I didn't like is my area is too small for a local phone number but I still have my land line for local calls. The cost is $39.95 for the MagicJack and 1 year of calling (local and long distance) then it's $19.95 a year. Like Robin, I use Skype if the other person also has Skype service.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Hey Jenny, I have MagicJack, too! I actually paid for like five years in advance with a package deal they had.

I was thinking about using this for my business line, but not sure yet. Calls would be long distance for most potential clients unless they have a MJ. Not sure I want to let anyone know it is a MJ that is being used either because it doesn't sound real "professional" to me. We'll have to see. I'm still in the planning stages.

I was just on there the other day to see if I could hookup my fax to that line. I have further investigating to do to see if it would work.

Like you, I live in a small rural area, so the phone number is goofy, but I'm going to see about at least changing the area code, which I think you can do for free one time. Too bad MJ doesn't have an option for an 800 number to use.

Oh! I'm going to be "Skype-ing" too. Debating on whether to have a webcam or not. My office is a mess right now! And some days I just don't want to go to the trouble of putting on mascara to look "presentable," LOL!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hi Jules,

I actually use this for my business line since all of my clients are and will be long distance anyway. I work a day job so I don't try to recruit local business. No one really knows whether its an Internet phone or a land line unless I would tell them. When my year is up, I'm going to buy the 5year plan.

As for an 800 plan, I've found most of my clients don't want to call, they prefer email and with an 800 plan I would pay the long distance charges. I also use efax for incoming faxes and my MJ for outgoing.

I just started with Skype but love it. We're starting our Get Clients Now reading group tomorrow and Robin (from the post above) told me about Skype so we could all conference for free. I'm debating the web cam too but I sometimes don't look all that professional and my office is a mess too.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Hi ya'll - I totally forgot, if you're interested in a toll free number you might want to check with CALL WAVE. It's been a while since I've used them. A couple of years ago we were still on dial-up (for about 10 years) due to our rural area (we now have wireless broadband), so instead of paying for a seperate line for our internet service, I would use CALL WAVE. They also offered a fax and toll free number. I believe my costs were about $8 per month which was applied to my phone bill. What was nice with CALL WAVE is that it was an internet answering machine, so I could hear the call being recorded and leave it, or choose to take the call. I don't think it will help with outgoing long distance calls, but incoming toll free numbers might be helpful for little cost.

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The Doctor's Rx
"The Doctor's Prescription for Success"

Thanks, Robin. Were there additional charges for each call or was $8.00 the only fee? At my day job, our toll free from the phone company has a monthly fee plus ld charges on each call.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Originally Posted by Offsite Office Professionals

Hi Jules, I actually use this for my business line since all of my clients are and will be long distance anyway. I work a day job so I don't try to recruit local business. No one really knows whether its an Internet phone or a land line unless I would tell them. When my year is up, I'm going to buy the 5year plan.

Hi Jenny,

Now that makes sense! Most of mine won't be local either.

Quote:

As for an 800 plan, I've found most of my clients don't want to call, they prefer email and with an 800 plan I would pay the long distance charges. I also use efax for incoming faxes and my MJ for outgoing.

So you did get MJ setup for outgoing? Could you share with me how you did this, please?

Quote:

I just started with Skype but love it. We're starting our Get Clients Now reading group tomorrow and Robin (from the post above) told me about Skype so we could all conference for free. I'm debating the web cam too but I sometimes don't look all that professional and my office is a mess too.

I've never Skyped at all, so it will be a new experience for me. Hey, maybe if we get webcams, we can just use them when we and our offices look "presentable."

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hi Jules, to fax from MJ, just plug a fax machine into the MJ phone jack instead of a phone.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Originally Posted by Offsite Office Professionals

Hi Jules, to fax from MJ, just plug a fax machine into the MJ phone jack instead of a phone.

Well, I'll be. I'll try that, Jenny, and report back.

I wonder since mine is a fax/scan/printer if that is going to interfere? I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Probably won't be until Monday when I can have someone test fax to me.

Thanks!!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites