Saving money on local phone service

JerZRMan.com recommends keeping these tips in mind as a way to potentially save a good deal of money on local phone service.

Perform an audit on all of your telephone expenses at least once a year.  This should include a detailed examination of your local phone service bills as well as your long distance phone service bills, internet service, cellular services, and beeper/pager service.

If your local phone service provider allows, don't pay for touch tone charges on outside telephone lines that are used for incoming calls only such as 800 numbers and their associated lines or DID (Direct Inward Dial) lines.

Keep all of your local phone service bills and your long distance service bills.  Check them. They can be worth a substantial amount of money should you find mistakes in billing and need documentation. In addition, when adding or disconnecting a service and/or equipment, document all telephone service orders with a confirmation number and date.

If your telephone calls are predominantly within the same area code as represented by the itemized call section on your local phone service bill, you might qualify for reduced rates.

Not all long distance service providers are the same. Carefully analyze providers for their long distance service and rates. Substantial savings can be found by matching the right carrier that best serves your calling patterns for both dialed and point-to-point service.

Maximize volume discounts on long distance service by combining all your remote locations. Consolidate billing where possible as this will make administration easier to review and manage.

When negotiating with your long distance service provider be sure that the cost per minute based on volume tiers applies to allocations regardless of the call volume at each location.

Are you still receiving bills from your previous long distance service provider? This occurs when you are still being billed a monthly service charge for a service you are no longer using or when your current provider did not convert all of your business lines.

Remember - Stay flexible.
Long term contracts may look attractive now, but rates and phone services can change quickly. You may be paying more by locking in your rates and services long-term.

If you use an 800 number, don’t let callers stay on hold or tie them up in your voice mail or automated attendant/voice mail system. Those minutes add up quickly and cost you money.

Review your Telephone Service Bill for charges from operator-assisted carriers as this is the most expensive way to make outbound calls and/or to receive inbound calls. Use the more cost-effective 800 number when making incoming calls. If you do not have an 800 number, contact you phone service provider to see how adding this feature could save you money and be used as a marketing tool. If you use calling cards extensively, ask your provider how surcharge-free calling cards can save you up to 75% over the calling cards you are currently using.

Monitor your 800 number usage. Ask your Long Distance Carrier for call detailing which will provide you with information pertaining to where all of your 800 activity originated from. This will give you valuable management information.

Utilize a telephone account management system to monitor incoming and outgoing calls. This can assist you in making informed management decisions regarding all aspects of your telephone service usage.