if you use long distance calling cards, read this:

[e-smile]

chatr charges $6.81 to anyone who uses a calling card.
this is how i found out, last saturday i dial *611 and get "rogers" csr instead of chatr, hung up, dial again, and again i get rogers. dial *225# and my balance went down from $14.15 to $0.53. dial *611 a third time, get to chatr csr and the rep asked me if i tried to use a calling card, because if i did, chatr charges $6.81 NON-REFUNDABLE to who ever do. i told her what i did, she checked the log and told me it shows 11611 as the number dialed by me and that is why the charge. she realized this was an error on their part and credited me the money back. good, but ... since last saturday i have been trying to get chatr to, either include this "hidden charge" on their web site so subscribers are aware of what it might cost them to be with this company, or at least send me an email with the info. the csr's have scaleted and always came back with the same answer: "we will not do it". i was trying to get something in writing before posting a warning here because in the past my integrity has been question because i am new to the site. unfortunately, doesnt look like i will be getting any written notification of this hidden charge from chatr. the only thing left for me is to say: IF ANYONE WITH CHATR USES CALLING CARDS, CALL CS AND ASK ABOUT THE $6.81 HIDDEN CHARGE, they will confirm what i said.
unfortunately, after 6 months of nightmare services with wind and now "this" from chatr, i guess is going back to 1 dolar a day unlimited incoming and CALLMEBACK service for me ... (smile)

[YeePee]

Not only calling cards any 1-800 or 1-888 toll free numbers you will be billed the same way..

[lmcjipo]

My question is: How would they know it is a calling card number? It doesn't seem to make any sense. Do they have all the calling card numbers in all of North America or all of Canada? I don't think so.

A calling card number is essentially a more complicated DISA.

I have access to a DISA number where I call, enter a PIN, and then I get a dialtone and I can call any number I want.

[cmstlist]

Not only calling cards any 1-800 or 1-888 toll free numbers you will be billed the same way..

Wow, that's seriously mindblowing. This is the satellite brand that Rogers launched to try and compete with Wind and Mobi, and they've decided to create fictitious charges for toll-free numbers? So it's unlimited talk until you try and call up a toll-free tech support line? It's just more proof that they're not serious about actually being competitive.

[cloneman]

LOL! This like hotels

[computergeek541]

Not only calling cards any 1-800 or 1-888 toll free numbers you will be billed the same way..

This isn't true. I've used Chatr before and if you were billed for calling 1-800 or 1-888 numbers, it is a billing error. I called toll free numbers numerous time and was never charged.

I was also never charged for placing calls to calling card numbers.

[reese_0202]

Whoaa! that's too much for calling cards..i've been in my provider for almost 3 years and i've never been satisfied until i found G3

[rockjock]

I have called toll free numbers. and used calling cards no issues at all. So I am not sure what the glitch was but it has not happened to me or anyone that uses the chatr sim we had at the office for visitors from across the pond.

[surfguy17]

any update on this?

[droidacolyte]

Yeah I'd like to see an update on this. A friend of mine with a LG talk and text qwerty feature phone is complaining about his high cell phone bill from Rogers so I suggested that he try Chatr (which is also Rogers-owned but hey it's cheaper) and go on the $25 talk plan (which includes 50 outgoing texts per month and unlimited incoming texts. Which is all he needs text-wise). Another friend (on a smartphone plan with Bell for his Samsung Galaxy S II) is also looking into Chatr for his mom.

I'm guessing it's probably a billing error on Chatr's part if other users on here were able to use calling cards and toll-free numbers without any charge.

I haven't ever used Chatr before but I'd imagine that their prepaid service works a lot like Mobilicity and WIND Pay Before (prepaid) right? If so, as a precaution couldn't you just leave your prepaid balance empty (when inside a Chatr zone. Outside it's a good idea to top-up your balance a bit so that you can receive/make calls) until you need to pay off your monthly plan? That way you can avoid any crazy phantom charges like that.

[83snickersee]

800/888 numbers are not charged. I just made a call to an 888 number and it went through without issue. Post a calling card number and i'll try that as well. I'll also post a screenshot of my account to prove there are no charges. It just doesn't update in real time so I'll have to wait.

[TheGuyz]

Why not just use YAK-CEll call # get busy signal then next call is yak calling back and you can call LD.

[dolon88]

I don't understand about calling cards,I want to make call from USA to Pakistan.