Talk to me about Prepaid Cell Phones...

[HarlansHollowFarms]

I was thinking about getting my granddaughter a pre-paid phone for the summer. She is coming up from Kentucky, so if I send her the money to get one there, will it still get service here in Montana? If after a period of time,do you have to buy more minutes even if you have not used them all, someone siad some prepaid plans are like that?
I think the regular cell service for this area is verizon...I have know clue, I like living in the dark ages where no one can find me 24/7....I like my land line!

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

I used prepaids a lot before I was on contract with my cousin.

I like the contract much better. I've got better customer service, nifty things on my phone, etc.

It's a lot cheaper. I text like a mad woman so I would burn through minutes like crazy. With my unlimited text, free incoming calls/texts, mobile-to-mobile, free nights & weekends, free long distance, no roaming charges, I only come up to about $60-$70 a month. When I had prepaid, I used over $150 a month.

So I know contracted has worked out a lot better for me. It all depends on you & your preferences, though.

Good luck!

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Quote:
I know with Net10 the minutes would be considered 'roll over'. When you activate 300 minutes it gives you 60 days of service. If you run outta minutes before then you just add more minutes, which extends your days as well. If you do the unlimited minutes/texting then you need to renew it every 30 days or end the unlimited and purchase minutes again..which ever you choose. no cancelling fees either.
I would go without a cell if I really could, but right now it's more of a 'incase' Jason calls (he's deployed). And with this lovely WI weather we are having--never know what's up so I also have it for that...I really wish I could still have CellOne though...

 

[silkiechicken]

My little brother had a ATT prepaid for a few months... but then turned out that minutes just plain cost too much. So we have a family plan, 3 phones, for about 80 a month with a 200 text message bundle. I think we have 550 anytime minutes to share. That said, since it's not used for business and work, we rarely use day minutes the 2000-3000 minutes I put on the phone myself a month after day hours makes a plan much more worth while. We have ATT, and have had it for the past decade. I remember the brick of a phone. LOL

If it's for emergencies, then pre pay might be the way to go, if it's for general use, go with a plan.

 

[the1much]

dont you HAVE to be able to get to a land-line or other cell to be able to add minutes to them?

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Quote:
With the Net10 you can call it in on another phone(land or cell), add through the internet, or even purchase a card from the store and then enter the code right through your prepaid...there's a section in the menu just for that so you don't use minutes when adding either.

forgot to say...you can also just purchase directly through the prepaid phone itself in the menu section on the phone...so again no using of minutes while adding mintues

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Quote:
I know with Net10 the minutes would be considered 'roll over'. When you activate 300 minutes it gives you 60 days of service. If you run outta minutes before then you just add more minutes, which extends your days as well. If you do the unlimited minutes/texting then you need to renew it every 30 days or end the unlimited and purchase minutes again..which ever you choose. no cancelling fees either.
I would go without a cell if I really could, but right now it's more of a 'incase' Jason calls (he's deployed). And with this lovely WI weather we are having--never know what's up so I also have it for that...I really wish I could still have CellOne though...

Thanks for the info, I will look into the net10, she is only going to be here a couple months, and she is only 12, so I don't want to sign contracts ect. it will basically be to call me here at work and to just check in with....not to talk/text all day with friends, she can do that on the land line,,,,we have unlimited long distance so it will not cost to call mom in KY or her BFF in KY. I also like to know what she is up to/who she talks to...so at home I will know!
I know 'over protective grandparent' !

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I have a landline. I just found out that Verizon would give me a contract if I put down a $400 deposit. I didn't find out if I would get it back though at some point....
That's something to keep in mind.