Anyone use a cellphone with prepaid cards?

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I think we're paying too much per month for our cell phone($45 for 200 minutes). I would like to switch to buying cards with airtime that we can use as we please, but there are so many options out there--I did a search and got 405,000 results! I looked at the AT&T National Prepaid Wireless Kit, and with their $200 card we would be paying $25/minute, no other fees, for all over the U.S. Does that sound good? I'm very thankful for any suggestions etc.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 05, 2001

Answers

Oops, sorry, of course that should be 25 *cents* per minute, not dollars;o)

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 05, 2001.

We have a Nokia phone and buy the prepaid ph cards at Wal-Mart, belive theya re called Trac Ph cards. Its convienent but I think they are a little overpriced, but after reading your cost, guess not.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 05, 2001.

I have ATT&T prepaid service, it's called Free 2 Go Wireless. It used to be a pretty good deal- a $25.00 card got you around 75 minutes of air time. The card was good for 60 days--until December 2, 2001 when they dropped this to 45 days. Now, it's no longer a good deal, we don't use our phone a lot so I'll probably keep the service.

Stacy Rohan in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), December 05, 2001.


I do because I don't use the phone much--just insurance against an emergency and to make occasional calls in the state. Trac Phone--yes I like it.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001.

How many minutes do you need a month? How many of your minutes are local vs long distance? For your long distance calls is there a reason you want to do it via a cell phone vs a wired phone? Are you going with prepaid cards due to the lack of a long term commitment?

$45/200 mins in this area is high. $25/200 plans are pretty common.

Biggest problem with pre-paid cellular is that many have reduced the time frame you have to use them in. Some as short as 30 days. Early pre-paid was good for 6 months. Whatever prepaid card you get (wireless or wired) Make sure you know the terms of use. How long are they good for, Any access fee to use, can they be used outside the area they are issued for.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), December 05, 2001.



I have a Trac Ph and I bought the Silver Card which gives me 100 min for a year. They had a special deal a Staples for a $25 rebate which you can take another 100 min for a year instead of the money. so what it comes to is I got the phone and 210 min for a year for about $135 which is less than $12 a month. Mainly I just use the phone for emergencies and such when on the road. I drive for a car dealer doing dealer trades and things like that so am on the road a lot. It works and I don't have another monthly telephone bill.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), December 05, 2001.

We want the cell phone just for emergencies, but since we signed up for the 200 min/month plan for a year, we've been using it quite a bit. Now the year is up and I don't want to keep spending that much. I just want it for security as I often drive lonely roads to visit my 91-year-old Grandmother with my small children.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 05, 2001.

I also use a trac phone and have been very pleased with it. I got it only for emergencies and did use it once for such when we were stuck on the interstate with a dead truck 120 miles from home! Boy was I glad we had it!!! I think they might be a little high per minute but if you don't use it much, they are great. They do have specials from time to time when you can get extra minutes which helps. I've had mine for almost two years and it averages about $10 a month without the special deals.

-- ugly (here@home.com), December 05, 2001.

I wanted to add that our $45/200 mins is nationwide and no roaming fees. Right now, however, I just want to be able to make a call on the road in an emergency for the cheapest price. Thanks all, for your comments--I can see I'm gonna have to do some research as every area seems to be different.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), December 05, 2001.

$45 seems awfully high. I pay $40 a month through Verizon for 200 anytime, 500 night/weekend, and wireless web(internet browser, email on the phone) which I think is too high now.

As soon as my year is up I'll be able to cut that price considerably because there's better deals now. SprintPCS has some great nationwide plans. You may be able to get more minutes nationwide now for $20 a month. From all I've seen, the pre-paid phones aren't cost effective, even for occasional use.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), December 05, 2001.



7-11 is selling a "trac fone" brand at $30.00 with a $30.00 rebate, a free 20 minutes, you need to purchase a $10.00 renewal card every two months, time does carry over if unused. Service at $5.00 per month ain't too bad.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 05, 2001.

Hi Elizabeth

I work for a large wireless carrier so I think I can help. Two things you need to do. Call the company you have service with and ask for Customer Care or the Save team. Tell them you love the service. ( a little honey goes a long way with someone in a cubical all day.) But you need to cut your costs. Ask them if they have a emergency plan. 9.95 month .50 min. it is not always that low but you have to ask for it. You can still make calls and 911 is always free. The next thing you need to do is find out where you are using your phone and get the plan that is good for your travel area's. If you only need a slice why buy the whole pizza. Good luck and let me know if I can help

-- phillip (raines@rainesridgefarm.com), December 05, 2001.


Trac phone cards may have all the luxaries just mentioned. I do know they have free 911.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 05, 2001.

Another Trac-phone user. I think most of us are focusing on the price of the air time card in relation to the number of minutes you get, which is wrong. Keep in mind, someone must pay the carrier thier fees. So either you pay direct or let Trac Phone pay them it all works out to about the same per minute. I.E. if you put the pencil to the paper and add all the fees you pay with other cell co.s, and compare it to tracphone which, out of what you pay for the card time, they pay the carrier co the monthly fees. So either way, you pay. So far I've found Trac Phone to be the best for me, because I don't lose my unused minutes, if I don't renew every 60 days. Also one of you mentioned the 100 minute plus card which is good for a year, they are starting to show up around the country now and is the best way to go in my opinion. Cuzzin Dick Okla.

-- Dick Tracy (kb5drl@lakewebs.net), December 05, 2001.

911 is always free, even on a phone that is not assigned to any server, as long as you can power it up. We have an old Ericson Analog phone that we carry in one of the trucks for an emergency that would be covered by 911.

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.neth), December 06, 2001.


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