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Prepaid Wireless Reviews

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Date: 05/28/2006 Topics: Consumer Advice | Readers Request > Utilities  
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I am looking to get a new cell phone -- either a tracfone or a prepaid one. What have you found that works the best for you? I recently canceled my phone because I never use it and this would only be used for a few minutes each month.

Thank you!
Mindy from Redmond, Oregon
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By Allison (Guest Post)
I have had a Tracfone for about 3 years now. There are different plans to choose from, but I've always chosen the plan that you don't have to renew for a year. I think the cost is about $100 and that comes with nearly enough minutes for me to use for a year. Last time I renewed I think it came with 350 minutes. The only people who call me on it are my husband and my mom and I don't give out the number unless I have to. (I don't have a real extensive social life.) I really just have it for emergencies. When I drive out of the area near where I live it uses roaming minutes, but I'd only use it for emergencies anyway, not to talk for hours and hours to out of town relatives or anything. Also, your unused minutes rollover each time you renew. It is really good for an emergency use phone, but not for keeping in touch with lots of people all the time. If you do get one, don't buy those little cards with like 60 minutes for 20 bucks. The minutes you buy don't expire unless you don't renew the service so buy the cheapest minutes you can if you run out of initial minutes. When comparing cards, divide the cost by the number of minutes to find the cheapest cost per minute. (cost / minutes = cost per minute)

Posted on 06/03/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By SalTCBug (15) Contact
Because we use ours so seldom most cell phone plans, even the so called prepaid plans did not work for us. We originally had "Just Talk" but they raised their basic cost for minute cards so we went to "Free 2 Go" which was ATT but is now Cingular. We can buy minutes that expire in 30 days for about $10.00 but prefer to buy the $25 card which is 100 minutes for 90 days. bought the phone thru ebay for 5 bucks (total $11 with shipping) and after almost 3 years we are still happy with it. Thru Phone Shark can get a small discount on the card and they will apply it when you tell them to. Google "Prepaid Wireless Phones" and you should find which plan will work best for you. My $25 every 3 months is building quite a few extra minutes but never know when you will need them and comparitively it was the cheapest for us.
Hope this helps
SalTCBug

Posted on 05/31/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By KLS8800 (Guest Post)
I have a TracFone. The basic one. 19.99 for the phone. Minutes (at Wal Mart) start at about 18.99. When I am not charging my phone, I have it in my car. I have two special needs children, and we live in a very rural area. If I ever break down, I have a phone to call out. There is one special you can buy. For $129.99 you get 450 minutes, one year's time (meaning you do not have to renew every three months) and every card you buy in that year's time is doubled. If you buy 60 minutes, when you put it into the phone, it doubles to 120. I think that these phones are great for teens, too. The equivilent of the .15 cents our parents used to give us when we went out with friends...call if you need us. Call if you don't, just checking in...etc. PLUS, the best part, no contracts. I see the shows like Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, that friends put friends, mates, etc on their plans, the other person runs up a monster bill and there goes the credit. No thanks. But I buy the 60 minute card. I bought it in March. I still have 39 minutes left. I do have to put more minutes in by the end of June, but 18.99 is better than some of these bills I have seen.

Posted on 05/31/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By jowhit67 (12) Contact
I have a Nextel plan, but I carry a Verizon prepaid when traveling...they have the best national coverage.

Posted on 05/31/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By azDana (129) Profile Blog! Contact
I've had a cricket prepaid wireless for years and I LOVE IT!! Unlimited minutes and the calls hardly ever drop. I think basic plans start around thirty dollars, and voice mail and long distance are extra.
I know that cricket phones can be costly if bought new, but you could check ebay as well as craigslist.org in your area for really good deals.

Posted on 05/31/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By dixie35481 (50) Contact
tracfone's have to be re-activated if a phone card isn't purchased about every 3 months...That's the way the policy was when I had one two years ago...It was cheaper for me to get a plan with a wireless service,,The cheapest phone card I could find was $21.00...I was having to buy a phone card every week.My plan with a wireless service is only $39.00.

Posted on 05/30/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By edieparks (Guest Post)
FYI
Be sure to check if the minutes you purchase have an expiration date. My cousin's always expires before she uses them. She doesnt need a "plan" but loves the security she gets with her cell phone.

edie

Posted on 05/29/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By DDSS2000 (37) Contact
We use TracFone...check with them to see what their coverage area is to be sure you will get the coverage you desire. We only use it for emergencies or contacting one another when necessary and not at home. Works great for our needs.

Posted on 05/29/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Otakop (7) Contact
Net10 Wireless. Same network as Tracfone, but 10 cents a minute if you buy 300 or 3000. Also 5 cent text messaging. The phones cost a little more but can be WELL worth it!

http://www.net10.com

Posted on 05/29/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

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