I dropped Verizon cell phone service today

[solo1]

I couldn't solve the problem and it wasn't worth the time to try anymore.

Here's a question which will be like What guns, what oil, darkside or not, etc.

I didn't use my cell all that much but I did like the idea.  I nned no texting, blue tooth, blackberyy, dinglleberry,  weather, Gps, or nuttin', just a prepaid simple cell phone service with decent US coverage.
No VERIZON and NO contract.

What's your experience?  Not Valk related but not much is during the PMS times.

[Serk]

If you truly just want a phone, and mainly for emergencies, don't plan on using it much at all, then I'd take a look at the Jitterbug... They're designed for people who want just a phone...

(No experience with 'em, I wouldn't leave the house without my Android will full data, GPS, e-mail, mapping, web browser, compass, etc...)

http://www.greatcall.com/

[six2go #152]

Wayne:
Do a Google for "prepaid cell phones" and you'll get a lot of reading material. As I mentioned to ya yesterday in email, my Brother uses TracFone and he is on the road a lot in our part of the country and it has always worked for him. TracFone has a "fill up card" that gives you a year's worth of service(don't recall # of minutes) for $100.
 I do know that it's all I would need & may actually be going that route this Summer.

[solo1]

Thanks Doug.  I just spent time on that very website, confusing, almost too much info. So far, customer service on three different phones are rated fair to terrible.

[fudgie]

Kit used Trac phone and got great reception. Even in the Hills of SD where my AT&T did not work. She now has Virgin moble and is happy. $50 for unlimited service a month. I think they run off the Verizon towers. Wal mart has alot of good choices. Even AT&T has prepaid, but coverage is limited. Great around here in the midwest but spotty out west, which is why i havent changed.

[Jess Tolbirt]

be very careful of the ones that say "pay only on the days you use it" what they di is every day you use your phone you are charged a 1 dollar connection fee per day, so if you use it every day for 30 days then your 20 dollar plan becomes 50 dollars and you can go full fledged for 50 bucs..
also if you want a cheep  full time plan buy a cheep prepaid phone from att for 20 bucs and then goto att and sign up and tell them you already have a phone so you dont need a contract...

[Kaiser]

I think they run off the Verizon towers.

Virgin Mobile runs off of the Sprint towers.

[fudgie]

I think they run off the Verizon towers.

Virgin Mobile runs off of the Sprint towers.

Ok then it was trac phone that ran off of Verizon. Thx

[Pale Rider]

I have several friends living a few miles from your location.  They have the same phone needs as you, and have been extremely pleased Virgin Mobile.  It is a pay as you go plan, with great coverage.  There are numerous outlets for them, one of which is Target.  It will be my next service as I downsize in cell phone needs.

[fudgie]

Where you from?

[JerryB]

I one of the kids has a phone,have them add you on as family and it costs around 10 bucks a month for a second or 3rd phone like I do through Sprint.........JB.

[solo1]

Trying to figure out the fine print on pre pay is a cast iron b****.  Darn near need a lawyer.
Two of the cell phone providers, Virgin and Boost Mobil cater to the fancy services(read young) which I don't need or want. Jitterbug is a ripoff on their price for the phone.  Still looking.

[Brad]

Trying to figure out the fine print on pre pay is a cast iron b****.  Darn near need a lawyer.
Two of the cell phone providers, Virgin and Boost Mobil cater to the fancy services(read young) which I don't need or want. Jitterbug is a ripoff on their price for the phone.  Still looking.

Wayne I went through this very thing about 2 years ago.  The truth is if you are just looking for simple phone service without the bells and whistles (read more expensive) the cell phone companies do not want you.  If, like yourself, you have an older simple plan (read low cost) they do all that they can to piss you off until you quit.  I never was able to find a simple phone with a simple plan.

[Thunderbolt]

Costs a little over a hundred a year for enough minutes to do me for a year.  I only turn it on when I am riding or traveling on vacation.  You have to buy the card that gives you a year of service for it to last all year.  Go to the Tracfone site and buy a refurb phone and a package that gives you the full year of service.  I have had mine for several years now and all it costs each year is something over $100, can't remember exactly, maybe $125.  Main thing is don't buy a card for it that only gives you a certain no. of minutes, unless you are just adding minutes because you are running low.

[Tundra]

Tracfone sounds like what you are looking for.
  I have Verizon and only Verizon. Home phone, cell phones, Fios Hi-Definition TV, Fios Internet service, never had any problems. I wouldn't even think of switching to anyone else, even if it were cheaper. I'm happy with their products and customer service. Sorry to hear of your bad experience, hope it works out and you find what you are looking for

[solo1]

Brad, absolutely on the mark.  My plan was cheap and simple.  They accused me of bouncing checks, I didn't.  Pure and simple arseholes.  

Thunderbolt, yes, i'm considering Trac Phone 1 year.  I was also looking at Page Plus (I could use my present phone, a plus) Looking closer, they charge .29 a minute additional for roaming, That's out.

[solo1]

Tracfone sounds like what you are looking for.
  I have Verizon and only Verizon. Home phone, cell phones, Fios Hi-Definition TV, Fios Internet service, never had any problems. I wouldn't even think of switching to anyone else, even if it were cheaper. I'm happy with their products and customer service. Sorry to hear of your bad experience, hope it works out and you find what you are looking for

Tundra. I thought Frontier bought out ALL of  Verizon's FIOS network last August.  They did here.  I too had Verizon for everything. TV, internet, landline, cell.  Worked fine until Verizon sold FIOS and kept only the cell phone business.  My cell phone bill came separately from Verizon, then nothing was right!  Constant billing problems.  Even filed a complaint with BBB.

Frontier now has my landline, internet, and tv, no problems yet.

I was a customer for over 60 years, 1st with Home Telephone, then GTE, then Verizon.  If you ever have trouble with Verizon's billing,  good luck!

[Sodbuster]

Have used Tracfone for several years now .... always seem to get a signal .... sometimes roaming. I'm not a big fan of cell phones and this works just fine for the little I use it.

[Rescueroy]

I have the Tracfone.  Bought the one where you get double minutes.  Had it about a year and am very happy with it.

[Titan]

You might want to look at Boost Mobile. I have no idea about coverage areas that would work for you. But if you like their system you can pick up a cheap phone at Walmart, and other places, and use a pay-as-you-go plan.

http://www.boostmobile.com/

[Dougger]

Gosh, go to the Sprint store and get a prepaid Virgin.
All good men should have a Virgin once in their life.

[Hoosier Valk]

Wayne, I've used Tracfone for over 3 years. Bought the reconditioned phone deal for $19.95 plus tax. I get 60 minutes of talk time and 90 days for $20, works out to under $7 a month. I can usually find promo codes on the internet that give me a bonus 20 minutes when I add a card. They also have a double minutes phone deal on their website - so you would get 90 days and 120 minutes for $20. I add my minutes through their site on the internet. You can buy the cards at Walmart or about any drug or convience store. I get good service in my area - Indianapolis. I suggest you give them a try, worse case you spent $25 and throw the phone away. I don't think that will happen.

http://www.tracfone-orders.com/bpdirect/tracfone/PhoneDetails.do?action=view&productVariantExtensionId=5072249

This deal includes free shipping.

[Jess Tolbirt]

Hey Wayne,
unlock your phone you already have and you can use it on any service, that way you dont have to buy a new phone,,,
google unlocking your phone,,,

[¿spoom]

Solo, the Jan 2011 Consumer Reports had cellphones & service as the main feature. If you don't know anyone who gets it maybe check the library? Cellular One was right at the top in the Midwest, likewise Verizon & Sprint. Guessing that narrows it down to 2 for you 
AT&T was at/near the bottom.

[solo1]

Thanks everyone. I'll either go on Mark's plan (Verizon) or Tracfone.

Don't get me wrong,  I've nothing against Verizon's cell phone service, just their %%^& billing and financial fumbling.

[R J]

Thanks everyone. I'll either go on Mark's plan (Verizon) or Tracfone.

Don't get me wrong,  I've nothing against Verizon's cell phone service, just their %%^& billing and financial fumbling.

After my last encounter with their billing Dept, I think it is in India..

[TJ]

TracFone... Been using it for the last 10 yrs... They use everyone tower so you will
get reception when others don't...