Experience with smaller cell-phone companies???

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Hey All,

Anyone located in the Portland Area use one of the smaller cell phone companies? Since work covers my work phone (and since personal use barely effects the monthly bill, they really don't care about personal use of the phone), I really don't use my personal one that much. I was thinking of switching from my current carrier so that I could maintain my number (and also leave the phone with my parents when they are watching my daughers, since my parents don't have cell phones) and save some money.

Does anyone use any of the smaller cell companies? Clear, Vonage, Cricket, any others???? I'd be curious to hear cost, benefits, reception, connection, etc..... Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[jlprk]

I am the cheapest motherfucker on the planet. Memorize my secrets.

You want to pay $25 a month for an internet phone? Cricket. Get the phone that says $25 on the lower left side of the box, not the one that says $55. If you want more features, get Virgin for $35 a month. Those monthly amounts are not taxed when you buy the monthly card (like at Best Buy). So those amounts include tax (none).

Vonage is a little unreliable. You lose service for a few days, then it returns. It says it costs $12 a month, but they add almost 50% tax and it's then almost $18 per month. Plus, it's a land phone. Pass.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I am the cheapest motherfucker on the planet. Memorize my secrets.

You want to pay $25 a month for an internet phone? Cricket. Get the phone that says $25 on the lower left side of the box, not the one that says $55. If you want more features, get Virgin for $35 a month. Those monthly amounts are not taxed when you buy the monthly card (like at Best Buy). So those amounts include tax (none).

Vonage is a little unreliable. You lose service for a few days, then it returns. It says it costs $12 a month, but they add almost 50% tax and it's then almost $18 per month. Plus, it's a land phone. Pass.

Thanks, man. Is this opinion, or fact? Or your opinion presented as fact? Only kidding.

I'm going to look at those and I'll probably hit you up with some follow-up questions. Having an accounting background, I too, am cheap. And the saving some cash never hurts, when I still have another phone that gives me everything else I need.

The one thing I don't understand on the initial response.... So.... how exactly do the cards (from Best Buy) work? Will I not receive a monthly bill? Am I just month-to-month with using the cards from Best Buy?

Thanks for the help - it's genuinely appreciated.

 

[jlprk]

It's not just hearsay, I've gone through all 3 of those since August. Cricket and Virgin are prepaid month-to-month, so you're not stuck in a contract (and can register under a fake name and address, just like a message board). For any prepaid phone, you just buy a "card" each month for the monthly rate. Most stores that sell phones also sell prepaid cards. Walk into Fred Meyer or Best Buy or Wal-Mart or K-Mart and ask them. I know that Best Buy has the two brands I tried. Start there.

 

[jlprk]

Cricket for $25 is a terrible internet connection, but I have (it takes a couple of minutes) brought up this message board on it. Buy that phone only if you will rarely use the internet (like me--I prefer a computer). If you will never use internet on your phone, save 5 bucks a month and buy a dumbphone (no internet). Virgin at $35 is a faster connection than Cricket (but don't expect the speed you get on your computer or an expensive phone).

 

[jlprk]

Those phones have unlimited texting, 350 minutes of voice calls, camera, etc. The thing you learn before buying is that the monthly rate costs a lot more than the phone itself, so you can waste money on their best phone if you find a cheap rate.

It's not a phone, but you can find a 7" Blackberry tablet on the internet for $200, a steal. I'm typing on one now, and it sure is a bigger target than typing into a phone. That's why I don't have a fast internet phone.