Help Wanted

[HellBenttoo]

After 7 years without one I find myself in need of a cellphone. Seven years ago I had an account with AT&T and a simple cellphone that I used for my business. I made telephone calls with it. Now, due to a medical condition, I need to re-engage with technology.

So, I need a phone, just one that I can talk on. I don't need photographs, I don't need music, I won't be typing on it, or watching videos, or playing games, just make and receive phone calls. Oh, and I am cheap.

Suggestions on the phone itself and a service provider would be appreciated.

 

[lovetopleasewomen]

If you're on disability you can get one of those free phones. Assurance is one. I myself prefer Tracfones. There is a company who also provides free phone service who is affiliated with Tracfone. I just can't think of the name right now. They would be best.

 

[pfflyerhot]

If you're on disability you can get one of those free phones. Assurance is one. I myself prefer Tracfones. There is a company who also provides free phone service who is affiliated with Tracfone. I just can't think of the name right now. They would be best.

Is it NetZero, maybe?

 

[Dan638]

I use tracfone also......129.00 a year.....

Or if you talk a lot they have a 19.99 a month plan...

I've had mine for years....

 

[Iceprincess12]

Prepaid or go to clarkhoward.com. He is a self proclaimed cheap skate and has a lot of suggestions for no frills cheap cell phones. There are cell phones that use wireless as well. I almost bought one but it wouldn't work where my husband needed it.

 

[lovetopleasewomen]

Is it NetZero, maybe?

Actually no, it's SafeLink. They are supported by Tracfone. From what I understand, you can buy a Tracfone of your choice & transfer your SafeLink service to that phone. You'll get unlimited texts, but if you run out of free minutes you can buy more &, depending on what phone you have, you get either double or triple minutes. On top of that, by using certain promo codes, you can get anywhere from 20 to 60 bonus minutes.

The reason to do this is because the phones these companies provide are so small & crappy.

 

[Lotus_Maiden]

If you don't use often, go with prepaid. Wal-mart carries different providers. Just grab a basic flip phone and buy a phone card. Once the minute exhausts, add more minutes. If you do go with a provider, it's cheaper to buy one of the prepaid basic phones at Wal-mart than at the provider.

 

[lakesailer_mi]

If you don't use often, go with prepaid. Wal-mart carries different providers. Just grab a basic flip phone and buy a phone card. Once the minute exhausts, add more minutes. If you do go with a provider, it's cheaper to buy one of the prepaid basic phones at Wal-mart than at the provider.

Yes, I was gonig to say something like this.

If you all really want is talk and simple text (eg, you have no desire to text a picture of, oh, I don't know, you're dick? ), then you can go up to walmart or target or anyplace like that and get a "pay as you go" phone.

I would ask people local for who has the best coverage, although if you're in even a medium size city, pretty much all the carriers are good now (I only notice issues out in rural areas and then it matters who the carrier is depending on where you go).

You load the phone up with a set amount and then you can call.

There are also some good discount providers these days: Cricket is one some people I know have used successfully.

Good luck man. And sorry you're having some kind of medical issue.

 

[HellBenttoo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. As usual, I am making this more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[yellow_rose71]

I will add my vote for Tracfone. I removed my daughter from my Sprint account because she didn't use it enough for the $50/month charge.

I got her a Tracfone for simply calls and emergencies. Even paying for the yearly service card and the phone itself, it still only cost me about $200.