posted on August 20, 2003 01:39:56 PM new
Short story: We want to get a cell phone.
We do not use the phone that often, mainly for emergency's only. We don't need it for long distant charges as we have a flat rate on our home phone.
My question is ???
Would we be better off getting a phone and using the prepaid cards {phone will cost $140.00}or is it better to go back with a monthly service and pay $19.99 a month.{free phone}
It just seems to me that, Spending $19.99 a month for service, is a waste, as we don't use it that often.
We are not chatters.You will not find me driving the car and talking on the cell phone.
Would you recomend getting a phone off of ebay ??????
Does any one here use the prepaid phone cards ??? How do they work ???
posted on August 20, 2003 01:48:45 PM new
Hi wrightsracing - I too wanted a cell phone only for emergencies. My son went to Alltell and got a free phone with a plan that is pay-as-you-go. Give them a deposit and when it's used up you only need to call and pay for more time/minutes. No monthly fee. The only restriction is you need to place one call a month in order to avoid the $4.00 service fee.
BUT....if you do plan to use it for more than emergencies then they hit you fo $.25 a minute local and more for long distance. So it's really only meant for either very short calls or emergencies.
posted on August 20, 2003 03:24:12 PM new
I pay for 3 cell phones (roll eyes here)
its ridiculus, actually, but locked into a contract.
Thats one thing you have to really be careful about is any contracts, because some are for TWO years
Linda is this Alltell online somewhere?
FYI you guys know that its a Federal law now, even if a cell phone is 'deactivated' (no service provider on it) and it powers up, you can still call 911, no matter if you have no service, the phone only needs power.
I think all 'land lines' should have the same Fed law on them. If your phone gets shut off... you should still be able to get 911.
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on August 20, 2003 03:26:43 PM new
I have AT&T. They haven't been too awful. Pay $26/month for 100 minutes. The bad thing is I only use about 25 of those minutes each month. I'm looking for a new plan this fall when my contract expires.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 20, 2003 03:28:43 PM new
Go to circuit city and buy the phone for 45.00 and you can add minutes as you want on your credit or debit card - no monthly service fees and you pay only for minutes you use and you can do it anytime online----I dont remember the brand name at the moment but they have them at circuit city. I have one. If I remember it I will post it.
posted on August 20, 2003 03:36:20 PM new
NTS - First....you know I love seeing you here again. That said...
The cell phone that was free is a Nokia 5185i. I haven't looked online but on the back of the user guide it shows their url as: www.alltel.com It also gives an 800 #, not sure if I can post that or not. But it's most likely on their website.
It's been nice not having to pay that big cell phone bill each month.
