http://www.tracfone.com
Just wondering if they have good reception and which phone they offer would be best?
SunMonkey
02-29-04, 11:01 PM
I got one for a cross-country move a couple years ago. I was rather happy with it for all the more I use it. It certainly isn't something you should get if you want to use it a lot (minutes are expensive), but the for an emergency phone with no contract, it is nice.
PoolSide
03-01-04, 12:39 AM
Thanks for your reply SunMonkey. I have considered Verizon on the reccomendation of friends. Might be a better value and the "sound quality" seems to be good too. Sounds like I need to pay for a phone that I can "use" for more than just "emergencys and such". Good "review and answer" SunMonkey!
NoListPrice
03-01-04, 11:59 AM
There is a way to get extra minutes when you sign up with tracfone if you are referred. Let me know if you are interested and I can get you a referral
hellmutt
03-01-04, 07:01 PM
My wife has tracfone, we like it a lot. She probably calls 10-20 minutes per month, so this is by far the least expensive option i've discovered.
raytrade
03-01-04, 11:37 PM
How is tracfone compared to the other prepaid phone companies and plans like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, etc?
AGuyNamedMike
03-02-04, 09:07 AM
We got a TracPhone for our teenage daughter. She has to earn minutes for it through chores, special details, and babysitting/cleaning gigs. Works great and doesn't cost us much.
Jray
03-02-04, 04:43 PM
I have a Tracfone. For my purposes it's fine. My wife and I have been using them for 3 years. It's mainly just in case of emergencies since I have an hour commute to/from work. It's nice not to have a monthly bill and I can buy as many minutes as I want. They are expensive but if you don't use the phone a lot (which I don't) then you can spend $20 every 2 months.
As far as the phones themselves... I dunno, mine is an old model. Been thinking about upgrading actually.
cheapskate
03-02-04, 05:07 PM
Originally posted by Jray
I have a Tracfone. For my purposes it's fine. My wife and I have been using them for 3 years. It's mainly just in case of emergencies since I have an hour commute to/from work.
I'm in the same boat... exactly. But Tracphone doesn't provide coverage in my area.
Has anyone tried any other pay-as-you-go services?
Gunshy
03-02-04, 07:55 PM
I am in the market for a pay-as-you go cell as I don't plan on using one a lot. I searched the web for reviews about Tracfone and if negative it seemed to be from people who received a broken/wrong/defective phone. These people had to ship the phone to a distribution center in Florida known as a cell phone black hole of sorts. Seems once you ship your phone to them it's as good as gone. So many of these stories that I got scared away from Tracfone. Thing is, they seem to be the only PAYG company that doesn't force you to buy minutes nor penalize you for not using them up over time :(
-Gunshy
PoolSide
03-02-04, 09:59 PM
This is the deal that I looked at
http://www.tracfone-orders.com/direct/tr/phonelist.jsp?tech=TO&AID=ILDHPB&VID=11503716&VC=3&COM=NO
Phone is "refurbished"...Probably been dropped in a toilet once :D But, might be a good deal for a temporary phone. Cannot find what they are charging for shipping of the "refurbished" phone.
PoolSide
03-09-04, 02:33 PM
NoListPrice,
I would like to try the referral with the promotion that TracFone is doing now and see if it works. That might even make this a "hot deal". :D Please contact me at dselzy@comcast.net
Thanks in advance.
Wallet Boy
03-10-04, 05:36 PM
I've had the same tracfone for three years and have been very impressed. Its definitely not a phone for people plan to talk a lot on it, for normal everyday conversations. The minutes cost too much for that type of use. I just use it for those times when I need to be picked up, have to tell someone quickly where I am, etc. I'm currently paying the equivalent of $7.99 a month ($95 a year) and got 250 minutes to use for the year.
And whenever you buy more minutes, they tack them on to your current minutes. You don't lose them if you keep your phone active.
Romeo
03-10-04, 05:56 PM
The problem with pre-paid phones is that you have a timit limit on when you can spend your minutes. That means you have only 40 days to spend those 30 minutes you purchased.
AGuyNamedMike
03-11-04, 11:46 AM
Originally posted by Romeo
The problem with pre-paid phones is that you have a timit limit on when you can spend your minutes. That means you have only 40 days to spend those 30 minutes you purchased.
Not with Tracfone.
gongon78
03-11-04, 12:03 PM
My dad has Tracfone and it's OK. You get a lot less compared to a contracted deal and the coverage is just a little region. We're in So. Cal., so the coverage is basically from the pacific ocean to the border of Nevada and from about Santa Barbara to the borders of Mexico. Unlike the ceulluar plans that we have, it offers no roaming.
I think in the end, it will cost more for a Tracfone. The features are limited and it the minutes to rack up without you knowing. The bonus of a Tracfone is probably the 'pay as you go' line. No contracts, no service or cancellation fees, etc. I think you have to weigh in on what is more important to you.
kellyree
03-11-04, 01:07 PM
My parents have a Tracphone and it seems to serve them well. I, however, have a virgin mobile and I couldn't be happier. I have had it for over a year and I only have to "top up" $20 every 3 months. The calls are fairly priced (25c p/minute for the first 10 minutes of the day and only 10c p/minute after that) No roaming fees and much cooler phones with gadgets and gizmos such as rescue calling, downloadable ringtones, games, mtv & vh1 things.....etc. Definatley more bang for your buck in my opinion
I also had a small problem with the screen on mine after about 10 months, I called Virgin mobile and they replaced it for me within about 2-3 days...They even paid for the shipping both ways! :banana:
Try it!
www.virginmobileusa.com
PoolSide
03-12-04, 01:31 AM
Thanks for the information "kellyree", but the price for the phones with VirginMobile seems very high. http://www.virginmobileusa.com/catalog/catalog.do
kellyree
03-12-04, 09:26 AM
The virgin phones are a little more expensive than the Tracfones, but for the service and extra things the phones can do I think it's well worth the few extra dollars.
I don't know what Tracfone uses, but Virgin uses the Sprint network so they have great coverage. I lived in England for a while and Virgin phones have been out for a few years over there, they have an excellent reputation and I have had nothing but great experiences with them.
I know at the moment Tracfone is doing that "free refurbished phone" promotion, but with Virgin you get a $20 credit in the box, something like a $10 credit when you recommend a friend and I think it was a $20 credit when you register a credit card for top-ups. With Virgin's way, you get a brand NEW phone virtually free (when you dicount the credits) with all of that air time :D
jough
03-12-04, 05:59 PM
If anyone gets a referral for someone new signing up to Virgin Mobile, could you e-mail me and let me know your referral code?
I'm looking to sign up with them soon and would rather give the referral to someone here rather than not have anyone get the bonus.
But does either Tracfone or Virgin Mobile offer web access? I'd really like to get something that's mobile-web enabled. I just hate paying a large monthly bill for service I hardly use.
big whoppa
03-13-04, 01:46 AM
Minute-wise, Virgin seems cheaper though the phones are more expensive.
I've had Tracfones (several) which I barely use because it serves as an emergency phone and I rarely have an emergency. I tried to use it out-of-state but it wouldn't work at all. I'm not sure what the problem is but Tracfone couldn't help me. I can't recommend Tracfone if you need support, the phone maze is ridiculous and the holdtimes as well.
jough
03-13-04, 02:13 AM
I got the VOX 8500 at Best Buy tonight for $85. It comes with $10 worth of minutes (about 40 minutes at the full rate).
Not too shabby, I guess.
jough
03-14-04, 01:23 PM
Originally posted by kellyree
with Virgin you get a $20 credit in the box, something like a $10 credit when you recommend a friend and I think it was a $20 credit when you register a credit card for top-ups. With Virgin's way, you get a brand NEW phone virtually free (when you dicount the credits) with all of that air time :D
Actually, they're only giving a $10 credit with the box, $5 when you register a credit card, and $5 for you and $5 for your friend when you recommend someone to their service.
Still, when you consider the per-minute charge is much less than any of their competitors, it's a great deal for those who don't use a cell phone much.
I'd have to pay $30 a month for minutes I didn't use with a regular carrier. With Virgin, I only have to pay $20 every 90 days and if I haven't used all of my minutes up until then they just accumulate.
The phones aren't really all *that* expensive - the slider is a little high ($160) but the flip phone that I got was only $85 (and came with $10 of air time) and they had a cheaper model without a few of the bells & whistles for only $55.
PoolSide
03-14-04, 09:05 PM
Deal worked great! Thanks NoListPrice. Phone was free and 220 minutes. Math figures out to 5.8 cents a minute. Excellent deal for emergency or temporary cell phone.
NoListPrice
03-15-04, 10:47 AM
PoolSide, You are very welcome. This way we both benefited. Also remember you can now increase your minutes by referring others. I think in the long run this is alot cheaper than having to sign a 1-2 year contract and pay $44 a month.
kantonburg
03-16-04, 05:21 PM
NoListPrice
You think you can PM me that referal? I'm thinking of jumping on this. Too bad they gave up the Nokia 5100 for the Motorola phone instead.
uli2000
03-18-04, 11:04 AM
FYI, for anyone looking for prepaid cell, T-Mobile is starting to offer absolutly free unlimited mobile internet for all prepaid customers this week.
jough
03-18-04, 12:34 PM
Originally posted by uli2000
FYI, for anyone looking for prepaid cell, T-Mobile is starting to offer absolutly free unlimited mobile internet for all prepaid customers this week.
Link?
There's no mention of prepaid on their website.
NoListPrice
03-23-04, 12:47 PM
kantonburg,
Sorry for the late reply. I have not been checking this discussion lately. Please send your email address to vkb1@hotmail.com. I'll send you a referral asap.
Thanks.
kantonburg
03-23-04, 12:50 PM
ygm
ShawnMercury
05-09-05, 10:47 PM
They still doing free minutes? Anyone able to send a referral code so we both get 100 free mins?
ShawnJRichards@comcast.net
Colleen
05-10-05, 12:49 PM
They still doing free minutes? Anyone able to send a referral code so we both get 100 free mins?
Ygm!
speedy1961
05-10-05, 01:23 PM
How does this work if you pick up a cell phone (Tracfone) at say a Wal*Mart?
I've been eye-balling this at Wal*Mart for the last two weeks and if I could get 100 minutes, it would cinch the deal.
Any help would be appreciated.
beencrazier
05-10-05, 11:03 PM
It works the same. We got my step-daughter a tracfone at Walmart and had the referral sent, received 100 free minutes. After web sign-up (10 free mins) and the 10 mins that come with the phone she had 120 minutes, to use within 60 days....
speedy1961
05-11-05, 08:47 AM
It works the same. We got my step-daughter a tracfone at Walmart and had the referral sent, received 100 free minutes. After web sign-up (10 free mins) and the 10 mins that come with the phone she had 120 minutes, to use within 60 days....
My next question is does purchased minutes expire?
I can understand that the free minutes might expire but if purchased minutes expire also (as I was once told at Staples) then this phone might be for me.
kantonburg
05-11-05, 08:49 AM
Yes it's all valid for 60 days unless you buy a one year card. But when you add minutes your unused minutes rollover for 30 days.
speedy1961
05-11-05, 08:59 AM
Yes it's all valid for 60 days unless you buy a one year card. But when you add minutes your unused minutes rollover for 30 days.
Thanks for responding.... How much (approximately) does a one year card cost? I see the refill cards at Cumberland Farms but they have NO prices on them. I would assume that airtime prices do not fluctuate but will be priced cheaper based on larger volumes.
kantonburg
05-11-05, 09:29 AM
Normally it's about $95 for 1 year and 150 minutes.
Jay G.
05-11-05, 12:49 PM
Boost Mobile has wireless web for $0.20 for a day of use.
Boost is part of Nextel and uses their network. It also has a walkie talkie feature that can be used to talk to other Boost/Nextel users for an unlimited number of minutes for $1.50 a day.
http://www.boostmobile.com/
Personally, I use Virgin Mobile because I got the phones as a present a few years ago. You have to spend at least $20 every 90 days to keep the account active, but all the minutes roll over. There's no roaming, but that also means that you can't use the phone where Virgin/Sprint doesn't have service (excepting 911).
speedy1961
05-18-05, 08:51 AM
I'll be buying one of these on5/26 if anyone can send a referral code, it would be greatly apreciated. Thanks all!
PoolSide
05-18-05, 05:45 PM
Check your e-mail speedy1961. :D
drpie
05-20-05, 04:43 PM
Beyond Wireless is definitely the best deal for prepaid wireless service (www.gobeyondwireless.com). I picked up a phone off of ebay for $15 shipped (nokia 3360), called up beyond wireless and I was ready to go. The minutes never expire as long as you use the phone once every 60 days. Plus their rates are great, as low as 10 cents a minute. When you are roaming you pay 4 minutes for every minute of talk time. You also get 35 minutes free when you sign up. There are absolutely no hidden costs whatsoever. There are threads about this service on other forums.
cverneau
08-10-05, 09:09 AM
I was at Target the other night and I'm considering going the Tracfone route.
The phone would be used for pretty much only emergencies.
the phone I was looking at was $50 and the one year card (300 minutes??) was $90. There was a note on the phone package that there was a 100 minute deal inside the package.
it seems to be the cheapest as I'd be getting what I assume is 400 minutes and a phone for approximately $140.
Am I seeing something wrong, or is there a cheaper way to go??
ANy help would be appreciated.
Jay G.
08-11-05, 01:51 AM
I was at Target the other night and I'm considering going the Tracfone route......
The $90 card for 1 year of services is 150 minutes, not 300. The 300 min/1 year card runs $130.
The "deals" in the Tracfone packaging are basically coupons or specials along the lines of "but 40 minutes, get 10 minutes free." To get the full 100 free minutes you'd have to buy several different prepaid cards.
The Tracfones do come with 10 free minutes of talk time when you activate them though, as well as 60 days of service.
So $140 would buy you the phone, approx 160 minutes of talk time, and up to 14 months of service, depending on when you add the 1 yr card to your phone.
Virgin may be cheaper. For a $40 phone you also get $10 of talk time and 90 days of service. After that, a $20 card will get you an additional 90 days of service. So $100 would get you the phone, approx 1 year of service, plus $70 talk time (at least 280 minutes). Plus, Target occasionally runs sales where they sell the $20 Virgin prepaid card for $15. So the cost could be as low as $85 for the first year.
Of course, Virgin and Tracfone have different service areas, and I think Tracfone's may be larger. I'd check which services work in your area, and then compare.
Sorry. I didn't realize this as others have also asked for this in the past in the above posts.
Chip718
08-15-05, 06:25 PM
I just bought a Tracfone V170 flip phone and on the box and in the instructions booklet it says "Downloadable Ringtones," but there are no menu selections for that feature. Does anyone else have this phone?
PoolSide
08-15-05, 10:20 PM
Chip718,
Start at the bottom of page 87 and see if that helps...
Bringing this thread back up.. My mother-in-law is wanting a non-contract cell phone to use in emergencies only.. Any good deals floating around?
Thanks! :up:
josepotato
06-13-06, 11:17 AM
I use Virgin Mobile, Target usually has a few older model phones on clearance, I got a nice flip phone for $40 the "K" series are even cheaper. If you do auto top-up through Virgin's website you only have to buy $15 worth of minutes (25 cents a minute) every 90 days which is plenty for me. If you buy the top-up cards it is $20 every 90 days.
movie diva
06-13-06, 12:21 PM
I have T-Mobile, Add $100 in refills to become a Gold Rewards customer. With Gold Rewards, you get at least 15% more minutes on all refills and your minutes won’t expire for a year.
Buy: