cell phones

[allieg]

Does anyone have the disposable cell phones still? I'm thinking of getting one for DD now that she is driving and wondered what company is best.I have a tracfone but wondered if in the 2 yrs I've had it there are better plan ones.It would cost us over $100.00 a month for most family plans so I can't go that route.I want her to have it for only an emergency so we don't need a lot of minutes.I put $20.00 ever 90 days on my phone.

[Branca's Mom]

Net 10

The Best for getting started cheaply and it being completely disposable. I always keep one or two for when I want to give out a number which I can later throw away.

You can buy them at lots of Grocery stores, or Pharmacies.

$29.99 for the phone and includes 300 minutes. Basically they are hoping you refill it. Often I do but often I throw it away after using it and get another.

All calls are 10 cents and texts are 5 cents.

[gsdlove212]

I had a Boost phone for a while...they have a few different plan types, I went with the unlimited plan for 50 bucks per month(unlimited web, texting, and calls). Nice thing about Boost is that they are a partner (use the same towers) as Sprint/Nextell, so I felt reasonably assured that the coverage area would be good.

[allieg]

Originally Posted By: gsdlove212I had a Boost phone for a while...they have a few different plan types, I went with the unlimited plan for 50 bucks per month(unlimited web, texting, and calls). Nice thing about Boost is that they are a partner (use the same towers) as Sprint/Nextell, so I felt reasonably assured that the coverage area would be good.

Thanks but if I'm going to spend that I might as well change Hubby's plan to a family plan and all have phones.

[Branca's Mom]

as for the boost: I really WANTED to like them as they were cheaper than Sprint!! But I didn't, not as a primary phone.

I have a Blackberry on the Sprint network (plus a couple of net10 phones as I said above). I have never had a dropped call with Sprint but when I tried boost I had constant dropped calls and problems with not getting my texts!!! getting online was hit or miss. I think that Sprint puts boost on the back burner during busy times. As for net10 I had the same issues. Works fine during non-peak hours but seems to have a few problems during really busy times. But, for 10 cents a minute and it being a disposable phone I don't care too much.... but if I am going to pay $50/month I want GOOD service anytime.

Perhaps this is more to do with my local area but something to keep in mind before investing in a Boost phone which is not cheap!

I havn't had a "home phone" in years so my mobile phones have to be pretty dependable.

[gsdlove212]

Tammy, when I was doing my research I found alot of people had those issues. I however did not as I had a CDMA Boost phone and not one with the SIM card. I am not sure why there is a difference, but in my experience and in my internet research there is.

As far as other prepay phones go, I believe that MOST of them have gone to plans where you have to buy minutes monthly in order to keep the phone active. There may still be some out there that are true pay as you go, but I believe they are a bit harder to find.

Also, remember that a cell phone does not need to be activated to dial and call 9-1-1.

[Branca's Mom]

Boost really does seem like a good deal a commitment-phobe such as myself who wants extra features like web, if only it had worked better..... my phone did have a sim card so maybe that was my issue??

Yes, the net10 phones original (free?) 300 minutes must be used within 60 days then either buy a new phone or add minutes. I think you have to use at least $15/month but they do offer rollover.

I know lots of people have tracphone and like it but I never did understand the tracphone deals and how their pricing works!! something about units or something but how much is that PER MINUTE!???!! I think you can buy a year's worth of airtime for $100 but can't for the life of me figure out how many minutes you get for that hundred dollars, and I really don't like to be tied down for an entire year sooooo.....

I just stick with my NET10 phones for having a number I don't want public. They truly are disposable. You buy in the stores, activate by calling a number, then when you are done, throw it away and buy another one.

For my main phone, I am really in love with my Blackberry. I used to laugh at people with their iphone and blackberry obsession.... LOL now I am one of them!!!

[Shandril2]

My Tmobile pay as you go cost me about $50.00 for the initial phone, and minutes are about $100.00 per year.
We only use it for emergencies.

[Powell]

Boost uses Nextel.... they didn't say Sprint when I talked to them. The problem IS, nothing works REALLY well where I am and a few don't anything.


Powell