TracFone - perfect for limited users
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I used to use Verizon, however I was paying over $40 a month for a phone that I no longer used very much at all. Verizon did not have a satisfactory plan at a lower rate so I did some looking around. At the same time that I was looking around for myself I had also wanted to get a pre-paid cell phone for my son for emergencies and to keep in touch with him when he was out of the house. I did not want to pay much for my son’s cell phone as he was prone to losing things.
I found TracFone, looked into their services and then hit the message boards to find other TracFone users to get their opinions before purchasing. Then I happened upon a deal where I could get a refurbished phone and 2 60 minute cards for $10, so I was ready to give this a whirl!
At the time each basic card gave the minute value plus 60 days of service, whichever ran out first. The time or minutes could be rolled over by purchasing and adding another card before the time or minutes ran out. Currently, the basic cards give out 60 minutes and 90 days of service. There are several different increments of time and minute cards available, however this is the one that I purchase most often as it works for me.
Once the phone arrived for my son, I set it up for him and had him use it. I also used it so I could see how it worked in many different situations. I also checked the coverage map to ensure that it would work, not only at home but at the other locations where we frequent and travel to on occasion.
Everything worked really well so I opted to port my Verizon number onto my own TracFone. I selected a flip phone as I do not care for the number lock features on a cell phone and have accidentally dialed numbers in the past on my phone while it was in my purse. A flip phone covers the number pad, which works out nicely for me.
It did take a long while, I thought, for the process of porting the number to be complete. I had to pay for another month on my Verizon cell phone as a couple of weeks was not enough time… however, once the number was fully ported I received a phone call on my landline and a new sim card was sent to me, same day delivery, so I was never without my cell phone.
I love not having a contract, and my limited use of a cell phone means that I generally pay less than $6 per month to use my phone as much as I want, whereas I was previously paying over $40 per month with Verizon. There are some new ways to add on service at TracFone, including adding time only for a lesser cost if the phone still has available minutes, so I may be able to cut my phone bill ever further.
I have not had any problem with dropped calls. The line is generally clear and connects quickly. I do have to wait a bit when I first turn on my phone for the display to come up, however. I think this is because it is bringing up my available minutes and days information. It usually takes a few long seconds to come up… but it isn’t too much of a both to my sometimes impatient self.
One drawback to using TracFone service is that the cell phones on the plan that can be selected to use are a lot more limited than other plans. Most of the phones are basic phones, although there are more flashy ones available lately, like the MOTORAZR, however these phones come slower… so one who wants the newest and latest cell phone gadgets would not be happy here. I personally am not worried about the type of cell phone that I have as long as when I need it, it works. Since mine does, I am quite happy with it and plan on continuing to use the services of TracFone.
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Pay as you go plan Made By:
TracFone Purchased at: tracfone.com Price: monthly price varies depending on usage. I pay about $6 per month Category: Shopping / Cellular Phone Plans Published: September 28, 2007 02:57
Pay as you go plan Made By:
TracFone Purchased at: tracfone.com Price: monthly price varies depending on usage. I pay about $6 per month Category: Shopping / Cellular Phone Plans Published: September 28, 2007 02:57
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Author Profile:
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Bosoxy
Rank: 53rd (
3)
ShareScore: 58%
Gender: Female
Country: United States
More reviews by this Author
Rank: 53rd (
3)
ShareScore: 58%
Gender: Female
Country: United States
More reviews by this Author
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Thanks for the great information Bosoxy! I'm very tempted to go this route and save myself over $40.00 per month.
This would be great for my mom. Thanks for the information. Great detail.
My children have this type of cell phone. It makes much more sense especially if you don't use it that often. Why pay for a big monthly charge when you pay as you go!
I think this is a perfect phone for teens! I bet your son is enjoying his! Look at all of the money you are now saving because of this phone!!
Yes, he likes the phone and so do I. I do not have to worry about being able to get in touch with him and he does not have to worry about asking to use a phone. My initial reason for getting him one is because if he were to lose it I wouldn't be out a lot of money.
This sounds like a perfect phone for my mom. She only uses it during emergencies! $6 a month would probably save her quite a bit of money. And she only needs a simple phone. Bells and whistles just get in the way. thanks for letting me know about this product.
You said it right. Tracfones are good if you are a limited user. I do not use a cell phone much so this is perfect for me so I don't get hung up in a contract. Also when buying airtime google "tracfone codes" or join a tracfone group at yahoo and they give out codes to get you more minutes and airtime for your dollar!
You are right! There are often codes given out so that we can get either extra minutes or extra days when adding time to our phones. What I google is "promotional code tracfone" and that usually does the trick. Dealtaker is usually up to date on the codes too.
I have a lot of friends who use these. I think they are great for limited use callers. I live on mine so it wouldn't work for me, but it is good that there are options!
Wow, what a great price. It sounds like this would be great for kids and to have for emergencies. Thanks for sharing this!
It's good to hear a personal experience on the TracFone. I have wondered about it.
I have a TracFone too, and I'm very happy with it. By the way, when I'm ready to add time or minutes, I check the forums on fatwallet.com for coupon codes -- I see better deals there than the ones the company itself sends me.
I've heard of these...they sound great for phones to use in an emergency of for a few calls a month. I unfortunately use my phone all the time so ahve to have something with more minutes. But it's neat they offer so many different options for people that don't want to get stuck in an expensive plan each month.
I agree that Tracfone definitely isn't for everyone. There was a time when my Verizon plan was best for me because I drove a lot and I needed to be able to have time available all day. Once my lifestyle changed I did not want to give up my phone, but the cost really couldn't be justified. Also Verizon's pay as you go plan is not nearly as good of a deal or I would have stayed with them.
I just got one of these. I love it! It is just right for me, someone who never goes far alone. My husband has a verizon phone, but he commute to work. It's nice that I can have a trac phone for emergencies only and not have to pay an arm & leg for it! Thanks for sharing.
My Verizon contract is up and I'm considering getting a TracFone. I just don't use enough my my minutes to warrant paying $40 a month! I'm glad you are so happy with your phone!
This is good to know. I was never a big fan of pay as you go but it seems that they have improved since the last time I tried this. I will keep this in mind if I ever get sick of my phone service. Thanks!
I hate the Sprint contract I'm tied down to. I'm not a fan of pay as you go either but I'm considering trying it afterwards just for the ability to abandon it quickly if it's garbage.