I have a friend who's visiting the states for 3 weeks, and want to carry a cellphone to keep in touch w/ overseas offices & US contacts. I've checked Cingular & T-mobile retailers, but their prepaid phones are over $150.00. One the net, you can find $29.99 to $79.99 for prepaid cellphones, but it doesn't really describe how it works or final cost after activation. Then I hear you can buy prepaid phones at 7-11, Walmart, etc. Which prepaid cellphones suppose to be reliable for making/receiving calls? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
I have been using Verizon Wireless' prepay service for just over 6 months now. There is no contract to sign (I hate being tethered to cell phone contracts, you always get raped by the company) and you can use any phone compatible with Verizon's service (I bought my phone, which retails for $300, on eBay for $150 and used it for my prepay plan). Here's the trick: When you initially sign up for the prepay plan, you must buy $30 worth of minutes. These minutes will expire in 60 days, at which time you must renew to have the unused minutes "roll-over" to the next 60 days. If you do not renew, your minutes do not roll over and all your old minutes (even the unused ones) are deleted. No fees are charged for not renewing your minutes, you just dont get to keep your minutes. You can buy as many minutes as you want and as long as you buy $30 worth every 60 days, they will continue to roll-over to the next month. I think I have something like 500 minutes built up on mine (I don't talk on my phone very much). If you break down the cost, it comes out to be exactly $15 per month to have the prepay plan. There is a .25 cent connection fee and .10 per minute per call (first minute is .35 and second minute is .10, etc...). Overall, I am VERY pleased with Verizon. I have not found an area where reception was a problem, not even inside metal buildings. If you are looking for a very reliable prepay plan, I believe this is the way to go. If you are looking to get a phone for 3 weeks and then not use it again, the total cost will be: Price of the phone (you can get a compatible phone for $10 on eBay) Activation fee $25 Required minutes (active for 60 days) $30 That brings the total charges to $55 plus a phone to have a cellphone for 60 days. If you have any further questions, please feel free to PM me. Hope I was of some help, -Zach
Thanks Zach! Your information is very helpful, and I will relay them to my friend. Ultimately he'll be the one to make a decision. ILuv4res, He tried TracPhones, but didn't have a good experience. I don't know details, but he's looking for something else. Thanks for your advise though. I appreciate it.
Hahaha, yeah, right. I haven't been to grocery stores for, oh I really don't know. Jim, thanks though! I'll see you Wed lunch! ILuvFres, Got your PM, and just replied.
If your friend already has an "unlocked" GSM 900/1800/1900 cell phone, he can get a rechargeable pre-paid SIM card to use while in the US. They hook into the t-Mobile network, and are available from www.telestial.com, who also sells US & international GSM phones
My wife uses her mobile a wee bit, I don't. I use an hour per month.... tops. With rollover minutes, nights & weekends... she could stay on the phone for 2 weeks straight and we wouldn't be billed extra. I'd like to keep her on the AT&T plan, but, as has been the case for years and years, it's obvious I have no need for one. Motorola does not interfere with my hearing aid circuitry. No matter the price point, other brands bzzzzzz bzzzzzzz bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz do. Bzzzzzzz. So, as of this writing, of the prepaid service providers, what service is the least pain in the ass?
I use VirginMobile .... they have very cheap plans for thier new customers, and they are on the Sprint PCS network, I have never had a problem with them. I joined them in 2002, so i am grandfathered into thier 25 cent a minute for the first 10, then a dime per minute thereafter. AS long as you 'top-up' every 90 days, you are active. Me and the wife are not cell phone junkies, so it basically cost us 20 a month for both phone, and i use it sparingly. Or in an emergency. they have phones now for 15 dollars, or 29.99, up to 99 for one with a keyboard. If you are looking for a temp fix, they are pretty good www.virginmobileusa.com
