X-Message-Number: 1840
Date: 28 Feb 93 01:38:35 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: CRYONICS Question Re Alcor 800 Number

As I understand it, there are 2 reasons not to use the Alcor 800 number.

1) It ties up the line and may therefore prevent some new inquiry from
getting through (the 800 number is the one which is published and
advertized eg. in the OMNI contest).

2) It costs Alcor money on a per call basis.

Being a person whose likes to globaly optimize value, I would therefore
appreciate it if Alcor could provide the following information
concerning the 800 number.

1) Aproximate average usage time of the 800 number for different times
during the day (no need to spend much time on this, just use an average
'guestimate' from staff will do).  

2) What is the cost per call using the 800 number?  Does it vary with
distance like station-to-station direct-dialed long distance calls?  It
is less than or greater than those costs?

My approach to minimizing cost would be the following:

If the costs of using the 800 number are larger than the costs of my
using the local number, then I will continue to always use the local
number.
If the costs of using the 800 number are greater than the costs of my
using the local number, then, except during a time of the day when
inquiry usage averages greater than 10% (just a rather arbitrary figure
specfying how important not missing an inquiry call is to me), I will 
use the 800 number.  Furthermore, in order to repay Alcor, and
ultimately profit myself, for having the 800 number available, I will
donate to Alcor at least what the cost of the calls would have been to
me if I had called the local number.

Please supply the facts which will allow me to make my decision.

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