Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Does anyone on the forum use a Tracfone Prepaid Cell Phone?

Thinking of possibly getting one and have little knowledge of them. For instance, what does this mean: "roam at local call rates"

http://www.tracfone-orders.com/bpdirect ... Id=6115168

Yes, I know I am a dinosaur but I don't have a regular cell phone nor do I want one. I just want a backup phone and one that I can carry in the car for emergencies.

I have a TracFone and like it because I bought a double minutes phone and any airtime added will be doubled for the lifetime of the phone. Also, I like this provider because you can look up bonus codes online and input them to add more minutes when you're buying airtime. As far as the roaming charges, I think it depends on the model of phone you buy. When I moved from Georgia, I noticed my phone was roaming on the trip back here. But no additional minutes were ever deducted. There are probably just a few specific models were extra roaming charges apply. I've never had any problems with their customer service or either of the two phones I've bought from them yet. Overall, I don't know how good a deal it is compared to other prepaid providers. I had T-Mobile a long time ago but don't remember their rates. TracFone charges $19.99 for 60 minutes, which seems kind of steep, but I usually get bonus minutes along with the double minutes when I add time.

Cindy, THANK YOU very much for your reply. It sounds like pretty much what I am looking for.

Glad I could be of some help.

Cindy, another question.

If someone calls you on your Tracfone are your minutes charged?

Yes, unfortunately. And when checking voicemails too.

I'm a fellow dinosaur who has finally given in to cell phones. The Tracfone made the most sense because I have need of a cell phone from April through October, and not much use for it the rest of the year except in an emergency. I've bought enough small unit increments at 90 days extension apiece to be a year ahead timewise, so now it's just a matter of putting units in the phone without the worry of time expiration.

Thanks Cindy and Jeff, I appreciate the input.

Looks like they double-dip when one Tracfone calls another Tracphone. Minutes used on both ends. Doesn't seem fair.

Guess I'll need an accessory kit as well.

Harry, minutes are deducted when anyone calls you, whether on another carrier's service or from a landline.

I have a Tracfone, because I rarely use a cell phone. Just add minutes to it from time to time. I have so many minutes on it right now that I will probably not use! I usually use it in an emergency, or if I am out and about and need to make a call. It suits my purposes just fine.

Thanks, Scott. That's exactly how I would use it.

I have a tracphone and it suits my purposes fine. I don't talk on the phone much so I don't use the minutes up very fast. It is great if you are in the car and have an emergency, if you are at the store and want to check at home to see if anyone needs anything, it serves that purpose just great. If you don't chat on the phone much you won't use up minutes. I never activated the voicemail so I don't lose minutes there. Be careful if you recieve text messages to delete them and not read them or you will lose a few minutes that way. The only text messages I recieve are advertisements so I delete them without reading them. I also like having the convenience of a cell phone and not having to worry about another monthly bill to keep track of. You pay as you go. I really like my tracphone, you should give it a try.

Thanks xyjw. That's a good tip on the text messages.

I want to get one that can take a snapshot so I think the LG290c will do fine.

Hi Harry,
I had a Tracfone for years. I got it because I used to commute to work. All I could think of was getting stuck on the highway in the snow so I bought it. I didn't have voice mail, I used it to call home in case I was going to be late. I think you'll like it.

Thanks Lorraine. I bought the LG290c model and it seems to work fine.