By Colby Horton
Shop Site of the Month
Clark's Car Care - Naperville, Ill.
www.clarkscarcare.com
This site's innovative features include an "Ask Matt" section, allowing customers to ask questions online about their vehicle. The "Did You Know?" feature on the home page changes each time the user visits the site. Testimonials, a comprehensive service menu, a downloadable shop newsletter, coupons and mailing list complete this site.
Web Wise
WLNP Allows Flexibility in Switching Wireless Providers
How many times have you been unhappy with your cellular phone service, but didn't want to switch providers because you'd have to give up your cell number? Late last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implemented what it refers to as Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP). This concept now allows consumers to change wireless service providers within their local area and still keep their same phone number. In addition, WLNP allows consumers to transfer their home telephone numbers to their cell phones, virtually eliminating the need for two phone numbers in one household. In some cases, consumers can even switch their cell phone number to their home phone.
Wireless carriers in the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had to implement WLNP last month. Wireless carriers outside of these MSAs must be able to make the switch by May 24, 2004.
To see if your area is in the top 100, visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/msas.html.
So if you're ready to switch providers but keep your same phone number, you should contact your prospective new carrier, who is responsible for starting the porting process. When you sign up with your new carrier, be sure to bring a recent wireless bill, which should have the same name and address that appears in your current carrier's database. WLNP only works if you are switching providers within the same area. If you are moving out of the area, you will not be able to keep your same phone number.
Be leery when switching carriers. Cellular phone companies are allowed to charge a nonspecific fee at the time your number is ported. Costs will vary from carrier to carrier. The FCC did not stipulate a specific amount to charge. In addition, if you signed a long-term contract with your current provider, early termination fees will probably apply when you port your number to another carrier.
The porting process should take approximately two and a half hours from the time the porting request is made of the old carrier.
Net Numbers
Shoppers are expected to spend
$17.8 billion online this holiday season, up nearly 18 percent from this time last year.
Source: eMarketer
ASA Web Ways
Need a Unique Holiday Gift?
Look no further than ASA's Online Store. Within the Members Only area of ASA's Web site, www.asashop.org, members can purchase ASA apparel, including outerwear, hats and shirts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Online Store offers complete e-commerce capabilities, including a shopping cart mechanism and online credit card transaction abilities. Outside of ASA apparel, members can also purchase brochures, business aids, books and videos.
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Net Worth is written by Colby Horton, ASA's electronic communications manager. He can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 234, or by e-mail at colbyh@asashop.org.
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