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[rgeczi]

I just thought this information would be useful to all, so I posted it here.

For all you people that buy IP calling cards, or plan to, I recently bought 5 cards for 95RMB total.  The description of the card is that it's Olympic themed, and the colours vary, but regardless of the colour, they are all priced the same.  They all have a mascot on the front, and the IP company is the 17968 card.  I had to haggle a bit to get the price to 19RMB a piece, so whoever goes there, don't expect the price to be like that from the start.  I am not sure about the rates to different countries, so I will give it a go, and see how things are.  The place I bought it from was from street vendors just outside the Qing Yun Lou shopping place, and that place is located on the north-east side of Chang Jiang Rd and the cross road I am not sure about.  But I do know it's the next north/south street 1 block east of Meiling Rd.  And if you are in that area and can't find it, just look on the north side for various vendors roaming the street.

And lastly, there were cards priced higher and lower than this one, so I need to ask more about this so I know which one is the best.  There is one that is the cheapest, that had the rates on the back, though it was all in Chinese, the vendors told me it's for Canada, America, and other places.  Those rates were posted there.  All the other cards, including mine, had no rates.

And I forgot something, so I am adding this now.  The card that I bought has an option where after you dial 17968, you can press 2 for English instructions.  The others, I am not sure if they have, or easily have by looking at them, English enabled instructions. 

Happy card shopping!

[Alegna Roma]

I used to buy those kind of IP calling cards, particularly the 17968 one. But I used to pay like RMB 21 for the RMB 100 worth that lasts for about 30 minutes. I've only tried calling the U.S, Canada, and the Philippines using that card. But, yeah, I don't really know the exact per minute rate. All I know is that it's cheaper to use IP calling cards than IDD.

BTW, I'm not sure if the place rgeczi described is the same spot I used to buy mine. But I got those IP cards along the big China Post Office and Mc Donald's near the Walking Street.

Just wanting to add a li'l bit of info...

[rgeczi]

Ok, I have something a little new to add.

I recently went to that place that I mentioned to buy some more IP cards, and I pretty much found the basement price for the card I use, which is the 17968 Olympic-themed one.  I haggled down to 18.2RMB for one 100RMB card, and they DID NOT want to go to 18.  They first said 18.5, then 18.2 was the lowest.  So, I am thinking that 18, or just over it is the lowest you will get.  I wanted to share this just case you want to try that place out.  I actually bought my first cards outside from the street vendors, and their starting price is higher than the 4th floor stall people.  So, go to the 4th floor of that building I mentioned in my first post of this thread, and haggle away.  Also, keep in mind, this price was given to me because I bought 5 cards at once.

***TIP***

There is an elevator that is on Suzhou Rd, which the building is facing, and if you are look directly at the building, at the south-west side.  It might be a little tricky to find it because the crazy thing is, the elevator is not IN the building as usual elevators are.  This elevator has street access, meaning you can hop on it right from the concrete pavement outside.  Odd, but true.  Not sure if this makes sense, but when you go there to see it, you will know what I mean.

[junoir]

Well,

Thanks for the informations on the calling cards,

I did try to go for it and after so much wandering i finally located the lift which seems to be pretty hidden,


Bargaining for 17968 card was another episode as the woman would not bulge on 19rmb, well sought another one same thing, so i finally bought it so as not to be miserly.

I guess you where a good bargainer and lucky to have gotten it for that price...

I guess the hawkers on the roads get it from them, i usually buy my IP card from them in the past and now it seems i have a better offer..

Thanks once again...

[rgeczi]

Yeah, for those 17968 cards, the people from the outside ask for 24RMB from the start I think, whereas the stall people start off with 20 or so.

***TIP***  The place that I got my cards from is directly to your left once you get off that "secret lift".  You turn left, and you will see her.  I am not sure if that person will be there that time, but that is the stall I got it from.  Remember, I bought 5 of them, so maybe that is why she offered 18.2, rather than 19RMB.  I just asked her to give me the best price she can do because I checked around, and people are all telling me 18.5.  That is what I told her in Chinese, so she gave me 18.2 each.

Happy card haggling! 

[kali]

hello! i am also using IP 17968 but it's was very hard for me to connect to the person i am calling though it's cheaper that the ohter cards... because now i use the 17910 it is a little bit expensive but at least i'm not having a hard time readialing... .. you can try it too.

[rgeczi]

For me, the 17968 cards have never had a problem, and I called countries like USA, Canada, some Euro places, Asian countries, and so on.  Are you sure you are following the instructions correctly?

[harringt]

I was just wondering, does anyone know of a card that will allow you to call France for say...less than 1 RMB per minute?

[Bonnie]

if ur mun is china mobile ,and u ahve ip function ,u can call france 3.4rmb per min .if urs is china telecom ,u have the relational function ,about 3.1 rmb per min