Like stamps, phone cards are colorful and offer a wide variety of themes and designs. Like coins and banknotes, phone cards have real value. And like sports cards, they are fun to trade.

Usually the most important factors are the design and the theme of the card. If a phone card has a theme that is special in some way or that bears one that is widely collected, then it will tend to be collectible.

To be collectible does the card have to be in mint, unused condition? A mint unused card will always be worth more than a used card. But if the card is relatively rare, a used one can sometimes be worth as much as one in mint condition.

If the card is packaged in a sealed envelope, can I open it and later sell the card as a "mint condition" item?

Yes and no. Many dealers advise that if the package is opened very carefully, such as with a razor-sharp knife, and is retained with the card for future sale, the value of the card will not drop significantly. Others, however, will take the view that with the package having been opened the card can no longer be termed "mint" and will sell for much less.

As with any collectible, the most important thing is to collect what appeals to you. Most collectors, however, tend to specialize. They give their collections a focus by collecting particular theme(s) or the issues of particular phone companies.

From a technical point of view most of the cards are of the remote memory type that can be used with virtually any phone. There are also cards which have their value stored on a magnetic or optical band or in a silicon chip embedded in the card. These stored value cards are inserted into specially designed public payphones which decrement the value of the card as it is used.

In the case of remote cards, the PIN must remain concealed; in the case of stored value optical or magnetic cards, no marks may appear on the strip running the length of the card. In the case of chip cards, a special electronic card reader will reveal whether or not the card still has its original value.

Phone companies sell their cards through retailers such as grocery, drug and convenience stores, telephone boutiques, check cashing stores and so on. When buying cards that are no longer available from the issuers you will be in touch with dealers and other collectors.

Sometimes nothing at all. Some of today's most valuable cards that now sell for more than $1,000 were originally given away. When buying a card that has just been issued, however, pay attention to the selling price compared with the amount of phone time that is provided. Be prepared to spend relatively more if the image on the card has been licensed from a famous celebrity, motion picture studio or sports league.

The value of any collectible is always based on the principle of supply and demand. Something that is rare may not appreciate because demand is relatively low. Conversely, something issued in great numbers may appreciate because there is a much larger number of people who want to have that item in their collections. Whenever demand exceeds supply, prices go up.

Get as much information as you can. Read the hobby publications regularly, especially the ones that specialize in phone cards. Attend collector shows and get to know some dealers.

The leading US magazine that caters exclusively to the phone card collector: Moneycard Collector. There are other trading card magazines which occasionally cover some elements of the hobby.

CompuServe has a very active forum called "Telecards" and there is a forum on the Internet called "rec.collecting phone cards".

Phone cards are a type of debit cards and debit cards are, in fact, electronic cash. As the cost of minting and printing new cash keeps rising and the cost of electronic cash keeps falling, electronic cash will become increasingly popular. Thus the future is bright for phone cards and hence for phone card collecting.

What is a prepaid phone card and how does it work?
Prepaid phone cards is a service provided by various telecom companies that sell their service in advanced. When you buy a prepaid phone card from PINONNET.COM, you are paying for long distance connection time in advance. When you make calls using the phone card, the card's value is deducted based on connection fee, duration of connection, surcharges and any maintenance charges associated with the phone card.

What's the difference between prepaid phone cards, phone cards, prepaid calling cards, calling cards, long distance phone cards?
They refer to the same thing; prepaid long distance service from telecom companies that produces these cards. You pay for your long distance service in advanced. You do not have to pay for any monthly fees, sign up fees or need to sign a contract. This kind of long distance service is getting more and more popular because the rates are decreasing faster in this area than in a post long distance service

How do I use a phone card?
To place calls, you must use a touch tone telephone. First, dial the toll free access number provided. Then, wait for the message asking you to input your pin number. You will then hear another message stating the value that remains on that specific pin. Next, dial the destination telephone number. A final recorded message will state how many connect minutes are available to that phone number/calling destination.

Do the rates on your cards change, depending upon the time of day?
No. All of the calling cards/phone cards we sell have the same rate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our cards can be used to make calls from all US states except Alaska and Hawaii unless otherwise stated on the card information. Some cards may be able to used from Canada.

My phone card says Invalid after entering the PIN given. What do I do?
Calling card manufacturers usually change access numbers when they change carriers. The result is that they have some batch of cards with the old access number and some new batch with the new access numbers. Sometimes even up to 3 access numbers. Thus, causing PINs to be invalid when using a wrong different access number. Please make sure to try ALL the access numbers that were given to you before contacting us. Most of the time, "Invalid PIN problem" is caused by using a wrong access number. However, if you tried all the access numbers and still not working, please do not hesistate to contact us right away.

What should I do if I have a problem using my phone card?
The best thing to do is to call the customer service number we provide with your pin. This toll free number connects you to the service department at the company that controls the access number and value of the pins for their phone card. However, if you do not receive a proper attention, please feel free to give us a call.

What is a connection fee and when is it charged?
For phone cards with connection fee (we state clearly if a phone card has a connection fee.), connection fee is charged anytime there is a connection, even if the connection is made to a wrong number, an answering device, or voice mail. The connection fee reduces the available minutes on the card. There is no connection fee charged if there is no answer. If your card is wrongly deducted for a call that did not go through, please contact the customer service of the phone card. They should be able to credit back the connection fee to your phone card.

How long will my phone card last?
Phone cards should be used within 90 days of first use, or 90 days of purchase whichever comes first.

How are rates and minutes computed?
The usable minutes are determined by deducting the connection fee from the face value of the card, and dividing the result by the rate per minute. All minutes shown are based on only one call and one connection fee. Please look at the poster posted for each card (can be found in the phone card's details page) for most accurate minutes/rates.

Why do you calculate available minutes based on one call?
This is a convention adopted by the phone card companies to make it easy to compare various cards total connect times.

Are there any other charges made against my credit card when I buy a phone card?
There is a $1 service charge for orders of less than face value $20. For any order $20 or greater, the service charge is waived.

Is all my personal information safe and private with you?
Absolutely! We never sell or share any information with anyone else. All credit card information is encrypted, when entered any time the lock Icon is visible. Never enter your credit card information when the lock Icon is not shown on the screen or in any email you send to anyone.

Are the rates any different if a cell phone is used in the call?
Yes. Calls made from or to cell phones are priced at a higher rate due to the extra technology involved in completing the connection.

All pins are computer recorded. The actual call begins 30-45 seconds after the connection RING, not when there is an ANSWER. If you do not get an answer in the first 30-45 seconds, after the first ring Please hang-up and call again.

General

Q. How is the Account different from other long distance providers and calling cards that I have used?
A. Unlike other calling cards and long distance providers, the card and services are designed to save you money on long distance calls made on your cellular, office and home phone. This service does not replace your existing cellular and local calling plans; it simply allows you to stop paying the high long distance rates charged by your cellular and local long distance provider. Unlike other calling cards, the minutes you purchase with the card will never expire and there is no monthly fee, maintenance fee or connection fee.

Q. Do I need a special phone to use ?
A. No. You do not require a special phone or additional equipment of any kind. As long as the phone you are using has Touch Tone service, you are ready to use your account.

Q. Do I require a PIN to use my account?
A. You are not required to use your PIN when placing a call from an activated phone number. If you are making a call from a non-activated phone number or from an activated phone but you are outside of a local calling area, you will be required to enter your PIN.

Q. Can I change my PIN?
A. No. You can only change your PIN if there are security concerns associated with using the number. The new PIN will be a computer generated PIN. For security purposes, you can not choose your own PIN number.

Q. What happens if I forget my PIN?
A.See customer care box.

Q. Do I have to cancel any existing services before my account will work?
A. When you use this service, our system knows you are a customer by recognizing any of your activated phone numbers each time you dial into the service. If you have the Call ID Blocking feature on any of the activated lines, you will have to disable that feature in order to use your account or alternatively keep the Call Blocking service active and use your PIN. If you are unsure of how to disable the feature, please contact your cellular provider or refer to your phone manual.

Q. Are there any contracts or agreements to sign?
A. No. You are not required to sign any contracts or agreements.

Q. What happens if I lose my access numbers?
A. Click here for a list of access numbers

Q. Will I be able to use the address book or scroll feature on my cellular phone to make long distance calls?
A. Yes, the address book feature should work with this service, on all phones. To use it you will need to program a separate entry for each destination number you would like to call. Each entry will include the local access number for the city you are making the call from, a pause and 1 + the area code and destination number of the person you are calling.
For example, if you are making a call from Toronto, your entry will look like this: 416-642-8023-Pause-1-514-555-1234. If you are unsure of how to program pauses into your phone, please refer to your phone manual. Please note that each phone is different and some phones may not have this feature or it may be referred to under a different name, for example, space or link mark. To confirm that you have programmed the access number and pauses correctly, you should hear the following message prior to your call going through: "For this destination you have X minutes remaining." If you are unable to use your address book with this service, you will always have the option to enter each number manually for all calls.

Balance and Recharge

Q. How long will it take before my account is available for use?
A. Your account will be available for use immediately after you activate the service.

Q. How do I recharge my account?
A. Online or see customer care box.

Q. Does my account balance ever expire?
A. Your account and account balance will not expire. Even if your account balance is depleted, we will keep your account open so that you can make a deposit the next time you have the need to make a Long Distance call.

Q. How do I check my account balance?
A. Each time you use the service, you will be given your balance before your call is connected.

Activating Phone Numbers

Q. How do I activate my account?
A. Online or see customer care box.

Q. What is a Primary Phone Number?
A. The Primary Phone Number is the main phone number that you wish your account to be identified with (also referred to as Account Number). We recommend that you activate the phone number that you use most often, and that you will most easily remember, as your primary phone number. The primary phone number will also be used to retrieve your account information online and when making deposits to your account.

Q. How many phone numbers can I activate to my account?
A. You can activate up to 8 separate phone numbers on each account. The 8 phone numbers are comprised of your Primary Phone number and 7 additional phone numbers that you choose. You do not have to activate all 8 phone numbers. Phone numbers you wish to activate can be any combination of personal and business cellular phone numbers as well as any residential or business landlines.

Q. How do I change one or more phone numbers activated to my account?
A. You can retrieve your account information online to add or delete activated phone numbers. However, for your security and protection, if you wish to change your Account Number (Primary Phone Number), you will have to contact Customer Service. See customer care box.

Q. Can I use my account to make calls from phone numbers that are not activated?
A.Yes. You can make long distance calls from non-activated phone numbers. Please refer to the list of Local Access Numbers for Non-Activated phones or if you are outside of a local calling area, dial 1-800-362-7164 (a 8¢ per minute charge will apply). If you are making a call from a non-activated phone you will be required to enter your PIN.

Rates

Q. Where can I check the most current domestic and international rates?
A. You can check rates online by clicking here or you can see the customer care box.

Q. What are the rates if I call a cellular phone overseas?
A. For rates to cellular phones overseas, please click here.

Q. Will I still get charged for minute usage from my cellular provider?
A. Yes. Placing a long distance call through will use your airtime on your cellular plan but you will not be charged any long distance charges from your cellular provider.

Q. Are there any hidden fees associated with this service?
A. No hidden fees!!!