TracFone???

[Turn Key]

DW has been wanting to get a cell phone. Can't say I'm much for it. Her big thing with the cell phone is to be able to make calls and to be available when we're camping. Experiance has shown that for the most part, cells won't make a connection from the parks we camp at. Between this and the high costs (including hidden costs and taxes) a "cell" is a waste, as far as I'm concerned.

Heard an ad today for an outfit called "TracFone" and checked it on the web. Seems I can get a phone (reconditioned) and starter time for $20. Then all we have to do is buy minutes as we need them. Air time is a bit high but not real bad given we can keep real close tabs on how much we're spending on this thing. Air time is "any where, any time" so that's pretty good (if we can get a connection). Has any one used "TracFone" and what do/did you think of it? Phone is suppose to keep track of "minutes remaining" and alert me when it needs more. Do/did you find it accurate? Any opinions before I decide? Got wrapped up in a 2-year cell phone contract a few years ago and found it nothing but money down the tube. Don't want to do that again.

Thanks for any help and happy camping!

[SpeakEasy]

I know my reply is a bit off-target from your question, but it is related.

I have had the same sort of experiences and bad feelings about cell phones that you're describing. I work too hard for my money, I figure. So about three years ago we bought into a pre-paid plan (sort of like TracFone) that Verizon was offering. Maybe you remember the ads: it's called Free-up. You bought a phone and some initial minutes but no contract.

This has been a perfect arrangement for us. For $30 you get a bunch of minutes. (Sorry - I can't remember how many.) If you use the minutes during weekdays they are more expensive (ie, you have fewer of them for your money.) If you use them nights or weekends they are cheaper (ie, you have more of them.) If you don't use those minutes, they will expire after two months. But, if you "re-up," which means add another $30 chunk of minutes, they will roll over. You can do this indefinitely. Every time you make a call they tell you how many minutes you have remaining. As your two-month limit comes up, they tell you, when you are making a call, that the minutes expire in however many days. If you dont re-up in time, you lose whatever accumulated minutes you had and you start over. (This has happened to me only once in the three years.)

For us, since we don't use the phone a whole lot, it generally boils down to a $15 per month cost in order to have a cell phone for those unusual times when we want it. We use it a lot more during camping season for the reasons your wife is telling you.

I keep expecting Verizon to close this plan down because they aren't getting enough of my money on it.

Before I would jump into TracFone I'd give Verizon a call and ask them about their Free-up phone. We got ours at Radio Shack, but like I said, that was three years ago.

[CAPEd CODger]

Cheryl and I got a TracFone for our son. We got it because there are rare occasions when he needs it.

The plan that speakeasy related to is very similar to the way that TracFone works.

EVERY cellular carrier is offering some type of pre-paid/no contract service now.

With a little leg-work (or finger work on the web) you can find a plan/ carrier that's good for you.

Best of luck in your search.

[Starcraft Dad]

We all have the Trac Phones here.  I tend not to use the minutes much.  We got it mainly for emergencies or when the DW and I are off some place so we can keep in touch.  Now the kids do  get carried away.  My 19 year old buys his own minutes so that is ok.  The 16 year old can go through a hundred minutes in a week easy.  We just tell him he gets 100 minutes per month ($29.95).  If he uses them up; to bad.  he doesn't get anymore until the next month.  He is slowely learning that he has to use them wisely.

[Turn Key]

Thanks guys.  Have gotten a lot of positive feedback on TrakFones and I believe we will go this route if DW decides she wants a cell.  With a $20 up-front cost and no long term contract, I can't see how we can go wrong.

Thanks and happy camping!

[Turn Key]

Thanks for the help, guys.  Believe it or not, after all of my looking and checking, DW has decided she doesn't need a "cell" after all:eyecrazy:!   Good thing I love her or I might be upset;):p:D!

Happy Camping!

[4campinfoxes]

We just got a TracFone for our DD as she is starting to have more individual freedom - movies without us or another adult, volunteer work at the local hospital, etc.  I had been giving her my cell phone on the occasions when she would need it but heck, then I'm tied down at home!  One thing to look at with the pre-paid plans is how often do you have to buy more minutes to keep the phone current?  We looked at several plans & most required you to buy more minutes every 30, 60 or 90 days to keep your phone on & keep your number.  We ended up spending a little more & bought a "1 year" plan with TracFone, it came with like 100 minutes & we don't need to worry about buying minutes to keep the phone on.

Sharon

[flyfisherman]

I know this is a day late and a dollar short, but I just happened on to this thread, must have overlooked it before ...

Tracfone just had a special that ended (June 30th)(sorry) -
and that was for buying a 40 minute card and they furnish the cel phone. Hard to beat for an emergency phone!


Fly


p.s. (the price for the card is $19.95 + shipping for the phone, maybe six bucks)

[Dee4j]

we got one for DH for the simple reason we need to meet up places unexpectedly and they wanted too much for a second phone. last Sept got a good deall for 2 phones so we did our track phone has many mintues left on it sitting there doinfg nothing....we bought a large number of minutes due to they expire...if you buy 30 minutes it's not forever..I think its 90 days i know some are only like 60 days..

we are keeping it for DS and for the BIL when he visits..I think they are good for kids...limits are good


What convinced my DH to get me a phone was I had the kids and several times I needed a phone and would take me several places and a lot of time to find a payphone that even worked.  we use our phone for all our long distance

[Turn Key]

I know this is a day late and a dollar short, but I just happened on to this thread, must have overlooked it before ...
 
Tracfone just had a special that ended (June 30th)(sorry) -
and that was for buying a 40 minute card and they furnish the cel phone. Hard to beat for an emergency phone!
 
 
Fly
 
 
p.s. (the price for the card is $19.95 + shipping for the phone, maybe six bucks)

Thanks Fly!  I didn't miss it.  That was the offer I was looking at prior to DW deciding she didn't really want a cell.
 
Thanks for the help and happy camping!