Prepaid cell phones
 

John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:14 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 12:00 pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:





On Jul 5, 11:06 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:31:04 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:
On Jul 5, 10:00 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:46:38 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is
Here wrote:
HK wrote:
John H. wrote:
I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100 and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and how do
you like it?
snerk
A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone, even though there are
hundreds if not thousands of different ones. If the cell phone works
well as a cell phone, and most do, the prepaid bit won't make a difference.
Snerk, Wrong again.
WAFA!
I wonder how many posts he'll make to me before he realizes I won't
respond. I think it's about 450 so far.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I don't even read it anymore once I see it's WAFA. It's only going to
be a cut and paste from Google, presented as something a "teacher"
told him.... WAFA!
Anyway. Here in the NE corridor we have had ATT-SBC for well over a
decade after trying "you can't hear me now", and a couple of others. I
have never not been able to make a call, from anywhere, save a couple
of dead spots here and there on my way to Chicago once... There also
used to be a spot on Route 9 (CT) but they put a new tower in. My
phone always has service, even when everyone elses (other services)
dosen't. A lot has to do with the phone too. Over the years as phones
and antennas got smaller or dissapperard, I did note some models did
better than others.
My dad has verison because he needs the voice activation and only uses
it about once or twice a week. We pay about 5 dollars a month for his
phone. Sometimes his service is weaker than mine.
The Iphone seems strong in most places for Mrs. JW,. I have always
stuck to basic phones and care more about signal strength than bells
and whistles though..
Agreed!
All we're looking for is basic service. The bells and whistles don't mean
much.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
OTOH.. after using the Iphone on a few outings for radar, google, road
services, food, and a giggle here and there. I actually think my next
phone will be an IPhone. I really like the tool all around aside from
the shape. You all know I am a "tool" guy, I have used my wifes
phone, and I will be getting one.. Take it for what it's worth;)
Scotty
The difference is this. You're smart. I'm not very. It would take me the
rest of my life to figure out how to use the damn thing!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Nope, works just like any windows desktop / internet browser. Point
and click, real websites,,, easy, if you can use google, or a reader
or even do email and surf the web, you already know how to use the
IPhone... Go check one out at the phonestore..

You still must be a lot smarter than I. You're not banned from Chuck's
Place!!


He will be. And you will be again.

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:14 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 12:00*pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:





On Jul 5, 11:06*am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:31:04 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 10:00*am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:46:38 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is

Here wrote:
HK wrote:
John H. wrote:
I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100 and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and how do
you like it?

*snerk

A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone, even though there are
hundreds if not thousands of different ones. If the cell phone works
well as a cell phone, and most do, the prepaid bit won't make a difference.

Snerk, *Wrong again.

WAFA!

I wonder how many posts he'll make to me before he realizes I won't
respond. I think it's about 450 so far.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't even read it anymore once I see it's WAFA. It's only going to
be a cut and paste from Google, presented as something a "teacher"
told him.... WAFA!
Anyway. Here in the NE corridor we have had ATT-SBC for well over a
decade after trying "you can't hear me now", and a couple of others. I
have never not been able to make a call, from anywhere, save a couple
of dead spots here and there on my way to Chicago once... There also
used to be a spot on Route 9 (CT) but they put a new tower in. My
phone always has service, even when everyone elses (other services)
dosen't. A lot has to do with the phone too. Over the years as phones
and antennas got smaller or dissapperard, I did note some models did
better than others.

My dad has verison because he needs the voice activation and only uses
it about once or twice a week. We pay about 5 dollars a month for his
phone. Sometimes his service is weaker than mine.

The Iphone seems strong in most places for Mrs. JW,. * I have always
stuck to basic phones and care more about signal strength than bells
and whistles though..

Agreed!

All we're looking for is basic service. The bells and whistles don't mean
much.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OTOH.. after using the Iphone on a few outings for radar, google, road
services, food, and a giggle here and there. I actually think my next
phone will be an IPhone. I really like the tool all around aside from
the shape. * You all know I am a "tool" guy, I have used my wifes
phone, and I will be getting one.. Take it for what it's worth;)

Scotty

The difference is this. You're smart. I'm not very. It would take me the
rest of my life to figure out how to use the damn thing!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Nope, works just like any windows desktop / internet browser. Point
and click, real websites,,, easy, if you can use google, or a reader
or even do email and surf the web, you already know how to use the
IPhone... Go check one out at the phonestore..

You still must be a lot smarter than I. You're not banned from Chuck's
Place!!

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:43:50 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:26:32 -0400, HK wrote:

I use mine a lot when out fishing...it's a much better way than VHF
radio to reach the "captains" of other boats to hear them lie about the
fish they are catching where they are. Out on the Bay these days, cell
coverage is damned good if you are out a bit from the cliffs and woods
on the western shore.

With a 3 watt analog phone and a good marine antenna cell coverage is
better in Florida Bay than VHF. When my buddy was making that limp
home from Marathon to Pine Island (the bent prop shaft thread) he
never lost cell signal but his VHF was useless

Luckily, Baltimore has a tremendous Coast Guard station that reaches any
are of the Chesapeake Bay I've been in. I've been able to reach them also,
in the one instance I needed to.

TowBoatUS monitors the Bay pretty well also.

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Jul 5, 4:57*pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:14 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:



On Jul 5, 12:00*pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 11:06*am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:31:04 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 10:00*am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:46:38 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is

Here wrote:
HK wrote:
John H. wrote:
I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100 and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and how do
you like it?

*snerk

A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone, even though there are
hundreds if not thousands of different ones. If the cell phone works
well as a cell phone, and most do, the prepaid bit won't make a difference.

Snerk, *Wrong again.

WAFA!

I wonder how many posts he'll make to me before he realizes I won't
respond. I think it's about 450 so far.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't even read it anymore once I see it's WAFA. It's only going to
be a cut and paste from Google, presented as something a "teacher"
told him.... WAFA!
Anyway. Here in the NE corridor we have had ATT-SBC for well over a
decade after trying "you can't hear me now", and a couple of others. I
have never not been able to make a call, from anywhere, save a couple
of dead spots here and there on my way to Chicago once... There also
used to be a spot on Route 9 (CT) but they put a new tower in. My
phone always has service, even when everyone elses (other services)
dosen't. A lot has to do with the phone too. Over the years as phones
and antennas got smaller or dissapperard, I did note some models did
better than others.

My dad has verison because he needs the voice activation and only uses
it about once or twice a week. We pay about 5 dollars a month for his
phone. Sometimes his service is weaker than mine.

The Iphone seems strong in most places for Mrs. JW,. * I have always
stuck to basic phones and care more about signal strength than bells
and whistles though..

Agreed!

All we're looking for is basic service. The bells and whistles don't mean
much.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OTOH.. after using the Iphone on a few outings for radar, google, road
services, food, and a giggle here and there. I actually think my next
phone will be an IPhone. I really like the tool all around aside from
the shape. * You all know I am a "tool" guy, I have used my wifes
phone, and I will be getting one.. Take it for what it's worth;)

Scotty

The difference is this. You're smart. I'm not very. It would take me the
rest of my life to figure out how to use the damn thing!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Nope, works just like any windows desktop / internet browser. Point
and click, real websites,,, easy, if you can use google, or a reader
or even do email and surf the web, you already know how to use the
IPhone... Go check one out at the phonestore..

You still must be a lot smarter than I. You're not banned from Chuck's
Place!!

He just knows how to abide by rules.

Now stop your whining.

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Jul 5, 4:59*pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:43:50 -0400, wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:26:32 -0400, HK wrote:

I use mine a lot when out fishing...it's a much better way than VHF
radio to reach the "captains" of other boats to hear them lie about the
fish they are catching where they are. Out on the Bay these days, cell
coverage is damned good if you are out a bit from the cliffs and woods
on the western shore.

With a 3 watt analog phone and a good marine antenna cell coverage is
better in Florida Bay than VHF. When my buddy was making that limp
home from Marathon to Pine Island (the bent prop shaft thread) he
never lost cell signal but his VHF was useless

Luckily, Baltimore has a tremendous Coast Guard station that reaches any
are of the Chesapeake Bay I've been in. I've been able to reach them also,
in the one instance I needed to.

TowBoatUS monitors the Bay pretty well also.

Why do you need so many tows with that new boat of yours?

Prepaid cell phones
 

"John H." wrote in message
...
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:14 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 12:00 pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:





On Jul 5, 11:06 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:31:04 -0700 (PDT),

wrote:

On Jul 5, 10:00 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:46:38 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is

Here wrote:
HK wrote:
John H. wrote:
I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan
and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for
$100 and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom
and how do
you like it?

snerk

A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone, even though there
are
hundreds if not thousands of different ones. If the cell phone
works
well as a cell phone, and most do, the prepaid bit won't make a
difference.

Snerk, Wrong again.

WAFA!

I wonder how many posts he'll make to me before he realizes I
won't
respond. I think it's about 450 so far.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't even read it anymore once I see it's WAFA. It's only going
to
be a cut and paste from Google, presented as something a "teacher"
told him.... WAFA!
Anyway. Here in the NE corridor we have had ATT-SBC for well over a
decade after trying "you can't hear me now", and a couple of others.
I
have never not been able to make a call, from anywhere, save a
couple
of dead spots here and there on my way to Chicago once... There also
used to be a spot on Route 9 (CT) but they put a new tower in. My
phone always has service, even when everyone elses (other services)
dosen't. A lot has to do with the phone too. Over the years as
phones
and antennas got smaller or dissapperard, I did note some models did
better than others.

My dad has verison because he needs the voice activation and only
uses
it about once or twice a week. We pay about 5 dollars a month for
his
phone. Sometimes his service is weaker than mine.

The Iphone seems strong in most places for Mrs. JW,. I have always
stuck to basic phones and care more about signal strength than bells
and whistles though..

Agreed!

All we're looking for is basic service. The bells and whistles don't
mean
much.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OTOH.. after using the Iphone on a few outings for radar, google, road
services, food, and a giggle here and there. I actually think my next
phone will be an IPhone. I really like the tool all around aside from
the shape. You all know I am a "tool" guy, I have used my wifes
phone, and I will be getting one.. Take it for what it's worth;)

Scotty

The difference is this. You're smart. I'm not very. It would take me the
rest of my life to figure out how to use the damn thing!- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Nope, works just like any windows desktop / internet browser. Point
and click, real websites,,, easy, if you can use google, or a reader
or even do email and surf the web, you already know how to use the
IPhone... Go check one out at the phonestore..

You still must be a lot smarter than I. You're not banned from Chuck's
Place!!

How soon we forget. JWAFM was the first to get bonged.

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Jul 5, 5:02*pm, "Jim" wrote:
"John H." wrote in message

...



On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:14 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 12:00 pm, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Jul 5, 11:06 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:31:04 -0700 (PDT),

wrote:

On Jul 5, 10:00 am, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:46:38 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is

Here wrote:
HK wrote:
John H. wrote:
I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan
and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for
$100 and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom
and how do
you like it?

snerk

A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone, even though there
are
hundreds if not thousands of different ones. If the cell phone
works
well as a cell phone, and most do, the prepaid bit won't make a
difference.

Snerk, Wrong again.

WAFA!

I wonder how many posts he'll make to me before he realizes I
won't
respond. I think it's about 450 so far.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't even read it anymore once I see it's WAFA. It's only going
to
be a cut and paste from Google, presented as something a "teacher"
told him.... WAFA!
Anyway. Here in the NE corridor we have had ATT-SBC for well over a
decade after trying "you can't hear me now", and a couple of others.
I
have never not been able to make a call, from anywhere, save a
couple
of dead spots here and there on my way to Chicago once... There also
used to be a spot on Route 9 (CT) but they put a new tower in. My
phone always has service, even when everyone elses (other services)
dosen't. A lot has to do with the phone too. Over the years as
phones
and antennas got smaller or dissapperard, I did note some models did
better than others.

My dad has verison because he needs the voice activation and only
uses
it about once or twice a week. We pay about 5 dollars a month for
his
phone. Sometimes his service is weaker than mine.

The Iphone seems strong in most places for Mrs. JW,. I have always
stuck to basic phones and care more about signal strength than bells
and whistles though..

Agreed!

All we're looking for is basic service. The bells and whistles don't
mean
much.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OTOH.. after using the Iphone on a few outings for radar, google, road
services, food, and a giggle here and there. I actually think my next
phone will be an IPhone. I really like the tool all around aside from
the shape. You all know I am a "tool" guy, I have used my wifes
phone, and I will be getting one.. Take it for what it's worth;)

Scotty

The difference is this. You're smart. I'm not very. It would take me the
rest of my life to figure out how to use the damn thing!- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Nope, works just like any windows desktop / internet browser. Point
and click, real websites,,, easy, if you can use google, or a reader
or even do email and surf the web, you already know how to use the
IPhone... Go check one out at the phonestore..

You still must be a lot smarter than I. You're not banned from Chuck's
Place!!

How soon we forget. JWAFM was the first to get bonged.

He was allowed back in. Were you?

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:24:02 -0400, John H.
wrote:

I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100 and
they're good for a year.

Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and how do
you like it?

My brother has one and loves it - he thinks it's the best deal around.
Several of Mrs. Wave's friends have pre-paid phones and swear by them.
I guess it's a pretty good deal.

As others have remarked, it's all about coverage. Some pre-paid
phones vary their coverage by carrier - some are associated with
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T etc. The ones that are associated with the
major carriers are the best from what I've read.

I'm more of a traditionalist and have this thing about brand loyalty -
it's served me well over the years. We have Verizon - been with them
since - well, forever. Great customer service, they give us any phone
we want when we renew and because we're "loyal" customers, get a few
freebies in terms of minutes. Excellent coverage too.

Last renewal we got unlimited text messaging for free - neither one of
us use it, but we got it. :)

I just looked at my phone and I have used 21 minutes in the past six
months - I didn't even know you could find that data on the phone -
just took a blind shot in the dark. :)

Prepaid cell phones
 

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:41:33 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:24:02 -0400, John H.
wrote:

I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100 and
they're good for a year.

Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and how do
you like it?

My brother has one and loves it - he thinks it's the best deal around.
Several of Mrs. Wave's friends have pre-paid phones and swear by them.
I guess it's a pretty good deal.

As others have remarked, it's all about coverage. Some pre-paid
phones vary their coverage by carrier - some are associated with
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T etc. The ones that are associated with the
major carriers are the best from what I've read.

I'm more of a traditionalist and have this thing about brand loyalty -
it's served me well over the years. We have Verizon - been with them
since - well, forever. Great customer service, they give us any phone
we want when we renew and because we're "loyal" customers, get a few
freebies in terms of minutes. Excellent coverage too.

Last renewal we got unlimited text messaging for free - neither one of
us use it, but we got it. :)

I just looked at my phone and I have used 21 minutes in the past six
months - I didn't even know you could find that data on the phone -
just took a blind shot in the dark. :)

And how much have you paid in the past six months for that phone.

That's the whole reason I'm thinking of a pre-paid phone. We'll sometimes
go several months without one call being made on the cell phone. Hell, they
won't even get turned on. But that $30/month just keeps going to AT&T!

Prepaid cell phones
 

"HK" wrote in message
...
BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:24:02 -0400, John H.
wrote:

I'm thinking of getting out of the contract cell phone plan and
getting a
prepaid plan. T-Mobile, for example, sells 1000 minutes for $100
and
they're good for a year.
Does anyone here have a prepaid mobile phone? If so, with whom and
how do
you like it?

I've had the that T-Mobile deal for about 3 years.
If you do the $100 right off, after a year you can buy any amount
to
renew for another year. Gold member or something like that.
Last year I think I bought a $40 refill because we still had about
800
minutes left.
I still don't know any service that's cheaper for "light" use.
But.......any phone is worthless if there's no coverage.
From Chicago to Florida - which is where we use it, it's been
perfect.
So check coverage first.
I've heard coverage maps aren't always indicative of "good"
coverage,
so it would be best to actually find somebody who uses it your area
and get the straight skinny.
We bought here in Chicago with local use in mind, but it's worked
out
for out trips too. Dumb luck.
--Vic


You used only 200 minutes over an entire year?

Crikey.

We go through about 700 minutes a month...of course there are four
of us on the family plan, one is a teenager still in high school and
another is a college student. They talk a lot, but they IM even
more. Thank goodness IM's are free. Even better, *I* don't IM. At
all. Hate it.

IM's aren't free. IM's are the phone company's bread and butter these
days.


Our plan includes "unlimited" IMs on four cell phones for $10 a month.
That's pretty much free. The three other users burn up the airwaves
with hundreds of messages each a month.

Like I said, IM's aren't free. And I seriously doubt that you have
unlimited IMs on 4 lines for $10 per month.


That's what it costs on the family plan, bozo.

With who?



With my carrier. You do know you can negotiate discounts off the rate card
with most carriers if you are at or near the end of your contract and you
threaten to switch to another carrier. Works with cell phone companies,
works with cable providers.

Use your superior education and business acumen to deal with your carrier.
Or be a schnook and pay what they ask.

Your boy Loogy probably pays more than the rate card says, stupid as he
is.

With your low claimed usage, I don't see you having much negotiating power.
What carrier?