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I'm looking to buy a new cell phone but am having trouble deciding whether to sign up for a contract plan or continue doing pay-as-you-go. Which is the better deal really for someone who does not talk that much on the cell and hardly texts? The last pay-as-you-go offer I got was $20 top up every three months but an agent recently told me that no such offers exist anymore.
BTW I'd also appreciate it if someone can suggest a good model as well. The last cell I had, a Virgin Mobile Oyster, worked fine for a long time but it is not manufactured anymore I don't think. Is the "smart" phone model really all that good. I've never had one before.
I'm with Virgin Mobile. The last amount I put on my phone was $10. That's how little I use it, and most of that went for texting ability. People that have the number know that I don't like to talk.
We have T-Mobile prepaid. We hardly ever use phone service, and have no desire to give or receive texts or have web browsing via a cell phone. So far, we've really enjoyed it, but the phones are pretty crappy. On my husband's phone, you can barely hear the person talking on the other end, and there is no volume adjustment on his phone. My phone is a different model, but isn't much better. If you want a better phone with T-Mobile service, you have to go with a contract. I did the math and the lowest priced family plan will just about match what we are paying in prepaid. So, we'll be making the switch.
I think if you go into the store and tell them that you want the most basic phone and plan without bells and whistles, they might be able to best help you.
I've been using trac phone for years, I don't know if they still have the 19.99 for what used to be 40 min.
Do you buy your airtime online there? I usually get emails from them with specials and receive mail from them also with specials.
I usually spend the 29.99, years ago I bought the double minutes for life by mistake clicking the wrong thing and not realizing it at checkout, I guess I am glad I made that mistake but it cost me at the time.
I checked they do have the 19.99 purchase.
I had them shut off the text messaging, I was receiving messages from people I didn't know, so if you receive the text messages and don't use this, don't open them, it costs you minutes. I'd take a look at their site maybe the phones aren't too much or free with so many minutes.
I think tracfone is the best deal out there. I have had the service for years, with thousands of accumulated minutes because I basically use it for emergency use. The phone I have works, but is pretty funky so I am thinking of upgrading it. My husband just got the service too, and got a beautiful camera phone with all kinds of accessories with it for only $20. They always have promotions with bonus minutes, etc. and the service works great anywhere.
I also have a Tracfone that's used as a backup. It's the cheapest model they had at Target when I bought it. I think the phone was $15 - a tiny little Motorola. I shopped all the prepaid options at the time, and the Tracfone was the best deal going. Can't say if it still is.
Our main phones are on Sprint. We have six phones on two family plans. It's not real cheap (although cheaper than Verizon), but our everyday needs can't be serviced by any of the prepaid or paygo options out there. Hopefully by the time our contracts are up, we'll have more choices.
I have a Virgin Mobile phone for work (it's the only place that gets that number, so I always know who is calling). I just reactivated the oyster I had with no problems. VM also has several of the older model phones on their site under "deals."
Their "Paylo" program has a selection for $.20 a minute with no monthly fee. You probably have to top up every couple of months, but it's the closest thing they have to the old plans.
I've heard good things about Virgin Mobile too, but I decided to go with Straight Talk. I don't like having a contract tying me down, and I used to get so many hidden fees on my old contract. But now I just pay 30 bucks a month and get 1000 minutes and texts. That's the perfect amount for me, plus I got to keep my old number.
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