Pre-Paid Cell Service: TMO vs. Cingular?

[GTaudiophile]

My dad needs a cell phone. Convincing him that he needs one has been like pulling teeth. So, for Father's Day (June 17), I want to buy him a pre-paid phone kit.

Can anyone comment on Cingular versus T-Mobile?

 

[DaWhim]

I compared before. I remember tmo give a better deal for pre-paid service.

 

[intogamer]

I believe you can save some money by buying the cards at staples and using the rewards card and coupons

 

[akubi]

as long as you got coverage in the area, t-mobile is a better option.

what you can do is buy any gsm phone and bid on those 10 bucks shipped, buy it now, t-mobile to go sim cards on ebay.
just stick the card in the back of the phone, dial the 800 number, change the area code to one you want, and you got a working phone for 10 bucks (usually the starter cards last 2 months/150 minutes).

if you don't like t-mobile just get a cingular sim card.... just 10 bucks to try it out...
if you do like it, buy the prepaid refiller cards and add minutes to your account while keeping the same phone number.

 

[GTaudiophile]

The thing I don't like about either option is the experation of minutes. You got to keep buying refiller cards, whether you've used all your minutes or not, every 30 or 90 days to keep the account active. In Europe, the policy is 365 days!

That said, I am leaning towards Cingular, despite being a loyal TMO user, because Cingular has much better coverage in rural areas like where my father has his fishing cabin in South Carolina.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The thing I don't like about either option is the experation of minutes. You got to keep buying refiller cards, whether you've used all your minutes or not, every 30 or 90 days to keep the account active. In Europe, the policy is 365 days!

That said, I am leaning towards Cingular, despite being a loyal TMO user, because Cingular has much better coverage in rural areas like where my father has his fishing cabin in South Carolina.

is there good fishing at your father's cabin?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The thing I don't like about either option is the experation of minutes. You got to keep buying refiller cards, whether you've used all your minutes or not, every 30 or 90 days to keep the account active. In Europe, the policy is 365 days!

That said, I am leaning towards Cingular, despite being a loyal TMO user, because Cingular has much better coverage in rural areas like where my father has his fishing cabin in South Carolina.

is there good fishing at your father's cabin?

He catches his limit at least 75% of the time I would say...near Clemson, SC.

 

[KK]

bass fishing over there?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: KK
bass fishing over there?

He fishes for trout.

 

[WW]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The thing I don't like about either option is the experation of minutes. You got to keep buying refiller cards, whether you've used all your minutes or not, every 30 or 90 days to keep the account active. In Europe, the policy is 365 days!

That said, I am leaning towards Cingular, despite being a loyal TMO user, because Cingular has much better coverage in rural areas like where my father has his fishing cabin in South Carolina.

tmobile expires in 365 days (in the US) if you buy a $100 card (1000 minutes). I bought the $10 ebay card, and a $100 card (for $92 on cheapphonecards.com w/coupon).

I wish cingular had the 365 day expiration option

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The thing I don't like about either option is the experation of minutes. You got to keep buying refiller cards, whether you've used all your minutes or not, every 30 or 90 days to keep the account active. In Europe, the policy is 365 days!

That said, I am leaning towards Cingular, despite being a loyal TMO user, because Cingular has much better coverage in rural areas like where my father has his fishing cabin in South Carolina.

Europe FTW! I remember that. I used to get a card at the news stand for $20.