Reflections

Is Anyone Using The Samsung R451C With A Straight Talk Plan?

Posted by on Jun 14, 2010 | 14 Comments

My wife is considering changing over her cell service to Straight Talk. She has been looking at several of the phones that Straight Talk offers including the Samsung R451C. She likes the slide out QWERTY keyboard feature that she believes would make texting easier. Since neither of us have used Straight Talk service or this particular cell phone, I wanted to get the opinions of others before she took the plunge.

She also believes that buying the phone and Straight Talk package from Walmart is a better deal, since the package is on sale for $99.88 and includes a $30 phone card. My opinion is that if the phone is not what she wants, Walmart has a fairly liberal return policy and she would not have to deal with Straight Talk directly. From some of the forums about Straight Talk, there seems to be a lack of customer service.

This is the package that Walmart is offering for $99.88 which includes a $30 phone card.

If you have used the Samsung R451C cell phone, either with or without service from Straight Talk, I would appreciate your opinion.

Comments welcome.

Source – Walmart

  • http://littlefyre.blogspot.com smscott

    my mother and i both just recently switched to StraightTalk, she has the 451, and i have the 355. (qwerty as well but more “bar” style, no slide). IMO, i like mine better because I personally dont really like the slider style phones but it is a little more expensive. Honestly, the 451 has been really good for my mother because the slide out keyboard did make texting easier for her. I would recommend that you consider buying from walmart, the exchange if needed would be easier that way. My phone got damaged in shipping when I bought online and wouldnt ring, and the exchange process was nightmarish. The actually voice/messaging service has been quite good actually, but customer service doesnt quite seem to be their strong point. The plan is well worth the price. Im using the 45 unlimited plan and I am very pleased with that.
    Hope this helps

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks smscott. That was very helpful. I also heard that ST has very poor customer service.
      I will be going to Walmart to make the purchase.

  • Pingback: MTV Wants a Twitter Jockey – It Might as Well be You! ~ Chris Pirillo

  • Tonya

    I love my Straight Talk phone (451 slider phone). I was burned by a contract and decided to give this a try. I got a cheaper $39 phone at first to try. Then later after I saw that I liked the service I upgraded to the one I have now. I’ve heard that if you are transferring a number from a different carrier then you may have problems with wait time. I opted for a new number. Activation was free and easy. Upgrading phones was easy too. I just gave them a call, said I found a phone I liked better, deactivated the old one, activated the new one. The rep stayed on the line while I went through all the steps and he didn’t hang up until he was certain that I was able to use my new phone. I have absolutely nothing against this company except maybe the constant automatic refill offers. I’d rather keep this account as far from being contract-like as possible. I’m sure though that if I call them up and ask to opt out from the automatic refill messages that they would stop.

    I hope Straight Talk stays around for a long time. Just go for a new number instead of transferring one and you should be fine. If you have problems just return the phone and don’t refill…don’t get on automatic refill so they don’t have access to your debit/credit card. Simple and easy. NO CONTRACT :)

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Tonya,
      Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I like the idea of not using an automatic payment.
      Regards, Ron

  • Jim

    I’ve had the 451c with $45 Straight talk plan for about 2 months. I’m very satisfied with the phone and the service.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks Jim. I ended up getting the r355c for both my wife and It.
      Signal strength is strong and the phone works perfect so far.
      Regards, Ron

  • http://www.howtolose20lbsfast.com Larry

    I have the samsung r451c with straight talk. I have been using it for over a week and have had no problems. I still have my verizon service until I am sure this will work for me. I love the idea of saving about $50 a month. It does not compare with my blackberry but is a great phone with all the minutes you would ever want or need.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Larry,
      I have the r355c that looks like a blackberry. I tell people it is a blueberry. :-)
      Let us know how the service continues to work for you. I believe you will find
      it satisfactory. $600 a year is better in your pocket than in the coffers of
      Verizon.

  • sqwddr

    I use ST on the $45 plan. I also have the R451.CJ27 phone.
    No complaints about either other than no games. This is the best deal I have gotten yet in the cell phone market. started with LG phone and bought the Samsung for the better features.
    Hope this helps—Sqwddr

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hello sqwddr,
      After writing this article, I did in fact go with ST and I bought [2] r355c phones for my wife and I.
      We are using the $30 a month plan which is more than either of us will ever use. We have used
      ST on both coasts and in the mid west without any issues at all. ST is a smart buy and economical
      as well.
      Regards, Ron

  • Naazaarali

    i want use Windows server2003 router by two network card

  • K Leah

    I have the ST version of this phone. I was just told by ST customer service that I can’t use the phone out of the town that it was activated for since Roaming is not available. The woman told me that there is no SIMM card in the phone and it is not available. Has this happened to anyone else?

  • http://www.lsgeekster.blogspot.com Kira Permunian

    Thanks for the share. This is it. I’m going to follow your tips. I was victimized though. There are lots of spam chat in Facebook with customized url like those in Twitter.