Anyone own/use a Trackphone?

[Orrex]

Though I despise cellphones as the most aggressively marketed cashcow since the SUV, circumstances force me to sell out and acquire one for use in emergencies. Several stores in my locality sell a brand by the name of "Trackphone" that alleges to offer a pay-as-you-go sort of deal. I don't want to get into a contract, because I might need to use the damn phone once or twice per month at most.

Does anyone have experience with/knowledge of this brand? Suggestions?

Thanks for your input!

[datasuspect]

1. das kostet zu viel

try cingular's pay as you go. tracfone is exhorbitant.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I bought one for my daughter before Sprint had the family plan

It's junk. Terrible reception. Go with another company.

[datasuspect]

3. tracfone actually has the largest cellular footprint in the nation

they piggyback on almost every carrier's transmission infrastructure.

did you have one of their cheepy analog units?

i know sometimes they sell refurbs as new units too.

[Midlodemocrat]

9. I had one of the first units. It didn't work at all.

That was five years ago. I've come to the conclusion that cell phones are partially disposable.

[LSK]

4. I use a similar type phone service

www.virginmobileusa.com

Costs me about $20 every 3 months to "recharge" my minutes. Voice mail, caller ID, long distance included.

I think they use the Sprint network.

Charge up cards are available at bestbuy, target, walgreens, etc.

[myrna minx]

11. This is the phone service that I have.

I needed a cell phone for one week and it worked out well for me. You can buy recharge cards at Target.

On edit--The price per minute is rather high, but if you truly don't need the phone except for emergencies, then it's a good plan. Also, if you listen to your voice mail, it will cost you minutes.

[Divameow77]

20. You can also set it up

to "recharge" every 90 days automatically by withdrawing from your checking so you dno't forget, and the minutes roll over too.
I used to have that, now I have a regular cell account through Cingular.

[RebelOne]

5. I've used it, but I prefer the Cingular pay-as-you-go plan,

which I have now. TracPhone had the requirement that you had to buy minutes every 30 days or you would lose your phone number. With Cingular, you only have to buy minutes every few months.

[uncle ray]

12. it seems it has changed a bit

you can now buy cards that have minutes that are good for up to two years.

[LaurenG]

6. I do

I was forced to upgrade with my previous carrier and so I just closed my account with them and bought a $20 track phone and $20 worth of minutes. They forced me to buy more minutes in August but so far it's cost me $60 since February. I can handle that since it used to cost at least $60 a month. I rarely use the phone and like you use it for emergencies only.

[johnnie]

7. They are good for...

Drug deals, kidnappings, stalking, bank robberies, affairs and a lot of other situations where you need to communicate, but not get busted.

Get one, they aren't bad. :thumbsup:

[datasuspect]

8. good throwaways

ghost the MCID/SSIP protocol and triagulate the rf transmission modulator to 223.7 kHz and you can communicate with the dead and right wing death squad functionaries who like indie music.

[BarenakedLady]

10. Tracfone is teh sux

I cannot get a signal in my own house, or pretty much anywhere for that matter. As soon as my units run out I'm getting something else.

[LisaM]

13. My sister in law had one for a trip - it didn't have voicemail

Get a GoPhone from Cingular, it has all the functionality of a regular cell phone.

[RebelOne]

15. Yup, that's what I have. And I am quite happy with it. n/t

[radfringe]

14. I use one

my partner just got one. My family in MN also have them.

I've had no problem with it. Works fine.

When my other cellphone died and I went to get a new one, I got a big hassle and was told I would have to pay activation fees, and upgrade my plan.

I told them to take the phone and activate it where the sun don't shine, since my contract was up I canceled further service.

I do not use the cellphone much. Mainly just to have on hand for emergencies or don't want to put a toll call on someone's phone or there's no phonebooth handy.

If I use 15 minutes a month on it - that's alot. With the regular cellphone service, unless I pay up the whazoo - the minutes do not carry over. With the tracfone it does, and I just have to buy a few more minutes every 3 months or so to keep it active.

Old cellphone contract was running me $35/month for 30 minutes
With the Tracfone I buy a 60 minute card for $20 every 3 months... no brainer for me

[elocs]

16. I have used TracFone for years with no trouble.

I got one years ago as a Christmas present to use for emergencies and short calls while traveling on the road. My old TracFone was a brick, but a year ago I got a little Nokia. I buy my minutes that are good for a year and usually get bonus minutes as well. Currently I have 1171 minutes, but I do not use it casually. I am doing temp work through Manpower and they are really the only ones who will call my TracFone number, so I know when it rings that they will be calling me about a job. I have never had any trouble with holding or keeping a signal. So TracFone has been perfect for me.

[Courtesy Flush]

17. I just bought a second one -- Here are some tips

We've been using TracFone for years with no problems. It costs us about $100 per year for us, and we always have many minutes left over.

Here are some tips:

DO NOT activate your phone unless you have a referral from another TracFone user. There's a huge bonus in it for both of you. Email me if you need a referral. We both get about 120 extra minutes free.

Google "Tracfone promotional codes" when you buy minutes online. People get promotional codes and post them online. You can use them for 200 extra free minutes.


If you need to buy minutes, and aren't concerned about adding more time to your account, buy a second phone (the cheap $20 one), then refer yourself using their referral program. With all the free minutes you'll get on both phones, it's like buying $60 of minutes for only $20. Even if you threw the new phone away, you'd come out ahead (but don't be that irresponsible).

[LynneSin]

18. Trackphone sucks - there are other plans that are much better

I think Cingular and Virgin both have plans that are "Pay-as-you-go"

I had a trackphone before getting my Cingular account and it royally sucked. I'd buy minutes and if you didn't use them all in that month they would be lost. And some of those plans will still give you nights & weekends

[Courtesy Flush]

21. If you buy a month at a time it's not worth it

We learned quickly to buy minutes once per year. Hasn't been a problem for us at all.

[catmandu57]

19. My wife has one

it's supposed to be used for emergencies, I guess talking to mom and sis are emergencies, so she's always having to recharge. We go directly to the tracfone site, usually they'll double your minutes just for doing that. All in all she's happy with it.