Does anyone here know anything about Tracfone?

[scarletwoman]

I'm getting older and my car is getting older and I'd like to have some way to call for assistance if I should ever get stranded on the road.

I took over my late mother's Jitterbug phone for awhile after she passed, but it just didn't seem worth the monthly payment, since over the period of a year I had only used it 4 times.

I don't want to take photos, surf the web, text, yack with folks, or anything else. I just want a mobile phone available to use in case of emergency.

Several people have told me that Tracfone might be ideal for me. So I looked up some consumer reviews on google, and there were quite a lot of negative reviews - mostly regarding their customer service.

But if I understand it correctly, all you have to do is buy a phone and then load minutes as you need them - and it's cheap.

Does anyone have any advice?

[AdHocSolver]

1. Check into Virgin Mobile.

In addition, check that the area that you live in has coverage for whatever phone system that you might purchase. Not all systems work well in all areas.

A lot of the phone systems available suffer from "feature bloat". The companies advertise their higher priced packages. What you want is a basic package.

Check out this website:

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/paylo-plans/overview/

[lamp_shade]

2. I've had my Tracfone for nearly 10 years. Like you, I only wanted it for emergencies.

I'm also in my 60's. The only time it's ON is when I'm in my car or otherwise traveling.
I learned how to send simple text messages to my daughter... like "HOME".
It costs me $21.73 every three months. Can't beat that.

Oops. I meant to post this as a reply to OP. Sorry.

[scarletwoman]

5. Thank you.

I will definitely research Tracfone further, but at this point I'm feeling a bit leery about signing up as a new customer after all the negative reviews I've come across about their service. The price sure sounds good, though.

[scarletwoman]

4. Thank you for replying.

I checked out the website, but I have to admit I'm not sure if I really understand what they have on offer. If $20 per month is their cheapest plan, it's more than I want to pay for a service I expect to use only very rarely.

I appreciate the information, though, and I'll include it in the mix as I comparison shop.

Thanks again!

[AdHocSolver]

10. More thoughts and a link to a free cell phone offer.

Last edited Thu Jan 9, 2014, 12:44 AM - Edit history (2)

I believe that some of these non-contract cell phone companies have a special offer for people who just want to use the phone for "emergency" use.

I would suggest calling their 800 number (if you can find it) to find out if there is a special unadvertised rate for such purpose.

You might also contact companies which sell cell phones (such as Target) and see if they know about unadvertised low cost plans.

Some more research turned up a telephone assistance program that supplies a free cell phone and free minutes for those who qualify.

check out this website: http://www.fcc.gov/lifeline

[scarletwoman]

11. Thank you, that is good information to know.

Not for me so much, since I doubt I would qualify for a free phone. I'm not poor, I'm just cheap frugal. I simply don't want to pay a lot for a service I will rarely use, and I don't need or want a bunch of bells and whistles.

Anyway, I appreciate the information and I will definitely pass it on to anyone who might benefit from it.

After more research, I've decided I'll probably go with Consumer Cellular. There's a local store in my area if I need help from a live person, they offer a discount for AARP members (which I am), and they have very good deal on a "senior phone" with big buttons - which would be ideal for me, since my eyes ain't what they used to be. I figured out that it would cost about $10 a month - quite doable for me.

The biggest selling point for me is the fact that there is a brick and mortar location near where I live where I go if I need help.

Thank you again for being so helpful!

[kickysnana]

3. I have used Tracfone since 2004

Customer service is not super but for what I use it for it and the cost it is great. I get a years airtime and about 400 minutes for $99. They throw in a phone at their website,I pay $6.71 a month autopay to keep it active in years I have roll over minutes and don't want to add any more. ie last Feb I had 1000 minutes accumulated so I did not add any minutes just kept the phone active.

I got an updated Tracfone LG smart phone, minutes, year service, 3G, double minutes on HGTV for $99 last spring to try to learn it. It is still gathering dust cause new technology is a chore for me. My old tracfone is first generation digital but it is easy to use and texts. Not sure how much longer that technology will be supported.

Never had a problem with service just some frustrations when it was misplaced once and my Dad lost his and they wouldn't shut that one down and move the remaining minutes to a new phone. Not sure if that is still their policy.

[scarletwoman]

6. Thanks for replying - but I don't understand much of what you wrote, sorry!

I don't know what "LG" or "3G" stand for. I don't understand what HGTV has to do with cell phone service.

I don't want a "smart" phone, I want a dumb phone that just makes phone calls. $6.71 a month sounds good, though.

[kickysnana]

7. LG=RCA Brand, 3G speed of network, I think they are up to 5G now.

HGTV just sells the 3G package at a discount.. The dumb phones w packages are available on the tracfone website. Tracfone.com often has a discount coupon code available on Retailmenot.com

[scarletwoman]

8. Thanks again. I will definitely look into this more.

I appreciate the information.

[Stuart G]

9. I have used it for 4 years.

It is a cell phone that I take with me while I drive.
Once, after a tire blew out..I called for help, and it was there 45 minutes later.

Well worth having for emergencies, it works well, that is all I care about.
It is reasonably reliable too,

[scarletwoman]

12. Thank you for your reply.

My apologies for taking so long to reply back.

I will get a cell phone for sure. At this point however, I'm less inclined to go with Tracfone. I found something else (see my post #11 above) that just feels better to me.

Thanks again!

[Piedras]

13. I am a new Tracfone user

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2014, 10:18 PM - Edit history (2)

I am a new Tracfone user. I bought a LG brand phone with one year of service and 1500 minutes of air time from the Home Shopping Network for $69.95. They had the best price I could find at the time. The price for the same phone and service is now $99.95. hsn.com/lg-840-no-contract-smartphone Long distance is "free" including international long distance. The phone I got uses an ATT sim card. That will vary by area. I am very pleased with my phone and the service seems reliable.

It was such a good deal I gave the same one as a Christmas gift to my niece's hubby who is a Brit so he can call his family "back home" for free. I also gifted a $20 Tracfone to my young nephew for his first phone. With a prepaid phone he can use it wisely but cannot run up a large bill. Both phones included "triple minutes for life".

I'm very pleased to have a no contract phone. My use is low and sporadic. The phone I bought has "triple minutes for life" so when I buy a refill for x minutes I will actually get 3x minutes. If I search for easily found promo codes I can add on additional free minutes.

I am told that air time minutes do not expire, they continuously roll over, as long as you renew your service in time. I have had no need to call customer service.

The phone I bought with one years service cost considerably less than buying a 1500 minute refill card with one year of service. At the time the best deal on the phone was about $30.00. So in essence I got a free phone, and discounted service for a year. A great deal.

Tracfone came out with Android phones right after I bought my phone. My phone pleases me so I do not care that it is not an Android.

I have not traveled with a Tracfone. They say there is no extra roaming charge anywhere in the USA and that they have very good national coverage.

[scarletwoman]

14. Thank you for weighing in.

Sounds like you got a good deal!

[Piedras]

15. My pleasure to be of help.

A little follow up. My phone, itself, came with 60 days of service and 20 minutes of air time. When I activated the phone I actually had 425 days of service (365+60=425) and 1520 minutes of air time. The main screen helpfully shows how many days and calling minutes I have left. The phone still has over a full year of service left.

You can choose a GSM phone or CDMA phone, based on what is available in your calling area. They have simple, inexpensive, even free, phones and more pricy full featured phones. Your choice. I think they can "unlock" CDMA phones so some/many people do not have to buy a new phone to switch to Tracfone.

I use some functions like the calendar to keep track of appointments, birthdays, fun things to do, etc. The directory is very useful to store names, phone numbers and addresses. Family, friends, and the Auto Club are all in it. There is a handy calculator. I have yet to use the built-in camera or video. I will learn to use the MP3 music player "some time soon." A memory card can be added to store more music or photos, etc. I need to learn how to use wifi with the phone. Free hot spots do not count against air time. There are many more functions I have yet to explore...at my leisure.

My niece and hubby have a family plan with a major carrier that costs them $150 per month. They are seriously considering dropping their cell phone company and switching entirely to Tracfone. They could save $100-$150 per month.

Another reason they may switch is the "free" international long distance. It would be a sizable savings in their budget. Hubby is a wounded US veteran. When he was in the hospital not long ago my niece could not call his parents and family in the UK on her cell phone to keep them informed which greatly distressed her, and his family. Tracfone has international calling to most of the world at no extra charge.

Niece and Hubby currently have Android phones with internet access. Now Tracfone does too. So if they switch they can save a considerable amount of money, have most or all the services they're used to, and get "free" international calling which they do not get from their present cell phone company.

tracfone.com

[csziggy]

16. If all you want if a basic phone to use for emergencies or occasional calls, Tracfone

Is fine. I've had a Tracfone for over ten years. My original one cost $20 and came with a year's service and 100 hours. Eventually they forced me to take a free replacement phone because the cell tower technology was changing and my old phone would no longer work. Both phones are/were basic, small brick Nokias with no fancy features.

Every couple of years I have to renew my service plan. I don't do a monthly charge. The last couple of times, I paid for 365 days of service and 450 minutes for $100. Then they throw in a special offer for an additional 365 days of service. Since I keep accumulating minutes, this works out great - and it's hard to beat 2 years of service for $150!

If I ever need to I can purchase extra minutes directly on the phone (but I've never tried - it might need a smart phone but they keep telling me I can - or buy cards with minutes almost anywhere. I find it easier to purchase my minutes and plan over the internet and just leave my phone turned on until the added time & minutes show up.

If you develop a habit of using the cellphone a lot, Tracfone is not the cheapest per minute. But if you use it only a limited amount of time, it is great.

The customer service is not wonderful, but when I have had to use it it was not a complete nightmare and got my problems resolved without too much trouble.

(It was NEVER as bad as my experiences with Verizon, trying to sort out my parents' phone & internet (minimum 45 minutes hold every time you call and every time they transfer you). And an absolute dream compared to my horrific experience with T-Mobile when they were dunning me for payment on an account I never had - T-Mobile had no system to tell them they were calling the wrong number. The only way to talk to T-Mobile is to have an account. I had to get the state consumer service bureau involved to get T-Mobile to stop harassing me when I had never done business with them.)

My husband also uses Tracfone and uses his phone more than I do mine. He has a fancier phone - it cost all of $25 at Radio Shack and they activated it and transferred his time and minutes from his old phone for him for no extra charge.

[JMolina]

17. I've heard it's inexpensive

Worth a try