Advantages/Disadvantages of Prepaid Cellular Phones?

[Madcowz]

I'm started to feel the need for a cell phone but I don't want to deal with contracts or any of that BS. I figure I wouldn't need to use it much; mostly for emergencies, so I figure prepaid would be a good solution. Now I just have a few questions:

1) How does Voicestream Wireless compare to TracFone & AT&T Free2Go? Any other alternatives? Which service would you recommend and are there big rate charge differences between providers?

2) Will I have to input a code every time I call or just do it once and the phone automatically saves my minutes?

3) Will minutes be deducted from my card for receiving calls?

4) Are there any disadvantages/limitations to prepaid cell phones?


So anyone out there go down the prepaid route and regret it?

 

[geno]

Minutes get deducted from both receiving and making calls. The price for minutes is a lot more than going on a monthly plan. The only upside is that you'll never go over your spending limit.

 

[CuriousAndy]

prepaid are ridiculously more expensive than regular plans..

why prepaid? that sounds so.. 90's when cellphone and services were expensive..

I pay $32.95 a month and get 250 free mins, free UNLIMITED long distance to 48 states after 9pm and all day WEEKENDS

~andy

oh it's cingular btw

 

[bozo1]

Prepaid was basically invented for those who couldn't pass the credit check most cellular companies run on ya. Just like credit cards for people with bad credit, they kill you on the interest rate.