Pay As You Go Cell Phones
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Pay as you go cell phones are a great solution for folks with modest airtime requirements and a limited budget. In these situations, plans that allow you to pay solely for airtime can conserve cash when compared to standard plans with yearly commitments. Why pay a high monthly minimum when you need a cell phone just for emergencies or special occasions? Unfortunately, the pay as you go cell phone market is confusing …
Some pay as you go plans will cost more than a standard plan … even if you aren’t making calls.
The key is to read the fine print.
I was all set to pick up a Verizon Inpulse pay as you go cell phone last week … until I read their fine print. I had a conference to attend and I was caught in-between cell phone plans. A pay as you go phone would have fit the bill.
I initially was taken in by Verizon’s free in-network calling; their offer sounded quite compelling. But I was absolutely stunned when I read the details. In addition to charging per minute, Verizon charges on a per-day basis.
I have no problem with a cell phone provider charging a per-day fee on days when I actually use their phone. The kicker is that Verizon’s Inpulse pay as you go cell phone plan charges a per-day fee whether you use the phone that day or not.
Ouch.
When taken on a monthly basis, Verizon’s 99 cent per day fees are no bargain.
Related: Prepaid Cell Phone Plan Thoughts
3 Comments
doris Buntin
January 30th, 2007
at 10:03pm
I want to know if our former contract cell phones can be used by buying and using the trac fone cards? We were with Cingular and were told we could pay the bill at the local radio shack. The radio shack was never able to set up for payments and now cingular says that they will not be putting a phone center in our town. We live in findlay Ohio, and would have to travel at least an hour and fourty five minutes in any direction to make a payment, buy accessories, etc. The phones we have are Motorola and we really don’t want to purchase another set of phones. Any help or info on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Bob N Dodi
Dan Gray
January 31st, 2007
at 5:46am
Bob N Dodi -
Unless you really really love your Motorola phones, don’t look back. Mobile technology is disposable these days.
I picked up a Nokia Tracfone for only $20 last fall … that twenty bucks included a bunch of time, to boot. They’re giving away the phones for the most part.
You may be able to recoup a couple of bucks on the Motorolas by recycling them with a reputable vendor.
Cheers,
Dan
tina
March 30th, 2007
at 8:30pm
My daughter begged me to activate a verizon phone for her that a friend had given to her so I paid $15 for the inpulse service they offer.WHAT A SCAM!!!
the “IN” calls were supposed to be unlimited as well as nights & weekends–well my friends,they charged her for them all and her time was used up in no time LITERALLY.I have had a virgin mobile phone & service for 2 years now and they are superior by far for value & quality. I would reccomend it to EVERYONE and I’m getting one for her which is what I should have done in the first place.
PS I threw the verizon phone in the TRASH