Cell phones

[Stump]

I would like to get a cell phone, and would like suggestions as to what kind to get, or if there is a plan that anyone has that might work for me. Here is what I "need":

- the type/size of phone doesn't matter - I don't have to have the latest thing....
- the phone would only be used in emergency situations, and very rarely to make personal phone calls (I don't want just a phone that can call 9-1-1).
- I do not want to pay a monthly fee with "free minutes", etc... I won't be using it that oftern. I wouldn't mind paying like $5/month, but don't want to pay $30/month.
- If I get one that you can buy the minutes for - I don't want to buy the minutes that expire 60 days after you buy them and don't use them.
Does anyone have any phone service that might help me?

[abirtz]

Stump- I think almost all services have expiration dates as far as the money put on cards are concerned. The best thing I saw though was AT&T. As long as you put at least $10 on your card every 45 days, all the previous money carries over. So that would be the equivelent of having a cell phone for $7.50 a month. But that is the cheapest and best thing I could find. Hope this helps in some way

[Mac]

I have a plan with AllTel that I pay a flat rate for outgoing/incoming calls. I never use it but for emergencies only. Basic service rate is about $11.95 a month.

Mac

[AK47 Junior]

yeah lookin for me one also.... lookin at the nokia 3390, costs too dang much tho. $40 a month, and i have no job :(

[Stump]

That sounds pretty good Mac. Did you have to buy the phone or sign a 30 year contract? I can handle $12 a month, as long as there isn't any hidden fees. You'll have to give me your cell phone number
The problem with having to spend $10 every few months, abirtz, is that I don't plan on using it that much....

[locokarma]

I have Cingular, thru a 2 yr. contract. Nation-wide calling with no roaming fees.... I have never had any problems with them yet... except one area here in Arkansas where there was no signal at all. Except for that... no problems. Me and my wife have two phones, and we pay about 70.00 a month. Both are Nokias and we can download three rings off the internet... www.zingy.com


:D

[abirtz]

Yeah Stump, but think about it (math wise) $12.95 a month or $10 every 45 days. I mean, I'm not trying to sway your mind any one way, but $10 every 45 days is still cheaper than $12.95 a month, but that is just me doing that there math in my little puny head

[Stump]

Abirtz,
You crack me up! You gotta stop putting yourself down, though. You sound like a pretty funny guy, and honestly, if you were a little older, and in my town... :p
You are right, it does work out to be cheaper, but it seems to be a bit of a hassle to remember to buy another card or whatever you have to do before time runs out...
I know, I am lazy and I definitely am forgetful on stuff like that.
Can you buy any cell phone (like go to Wally-world and get one off the shelf) and apply any of these plans to it? Or do you have to buy the cell phone from the company you are getting the plan from? Or, do you have to "rent" the phone?

[abirtz]

Stumpy-It wasn't a put down to myself, it was sarcasm... And I'm almost 20, thats close enough ;) Just go to Best Buy or Circuit City and they'll hook you right up with anything you need. Glad someone thinks I'm funny....

[Mac]

At the time I signed up I had to use the service for a year and the phone was included with the contract. That was for a local area only. Go outside my local area and roaming charges apply. But I don't care about that since I may make one or two calls on it every three months and they never last more than a few minutes.

Mac

[Stump]

Mac,
I looked up Alltel online, and they don't offer service in my area. :(

Abirtz,
I also checked into those card things - and if you don't buy another card within 5 days of the old one expiring, you have to pay to reactivate the phone...
I found a plan for $19.99 through um.. I think cellular one. I have to look... I'll keep searching, but that's what I got so far. The salesman also is throwing in the phone for free ... I guess I still got it even though I am old now... lol

[abirtz]

Stump-Just for your info, a couple of people have replied to your first post in the other thread re: cell phones and many have suggested Tracphone. I don't really know what that is, but I think I'm going to check into that myself...

[Stump]

Abirtz,
Thanks hon.. I think I did forget about looking at those.... I did look them up, and it is not the phone for me. They say the prepaid minutes don't expire, but then they go on to say "All you have to do is purchase and redeem a prepaid card every 60 days".... so, basically, I will end up with all these minutes on my card that I just don't need.... and if I go past that time without getting a card, my phone deactivates...
Not to mention the fact that it costs $18 for 30 minutes of airtime.
It may be nice for some people, but its not the one for me... thank you though...
I am still thinking...