Prepaid phone advice

[heathertre]

Well, OT, I am in need of some thoughts. My mother wants to get a prepaid cell phone. She doesn't need anything too fancy--just something for emergencies. She called me this morning and asked me to look into Jitterbug cell phones. I looked at the website but am cautious about things and sometimes think things are too good to be true.

Have any of you heard of Jitterbug? Know anything about it? Is it a scam or is it safe?

Thanks!

 

[PottedMeat]

I think i've seen infomercials for that thing. Looks like the only difference between it and a regular prepaid is the large digits?


Why not get a Virgin Mobile or something prepaid cell. My mom got a basic nokia from their site for free. You have to put at least $20.00 on it every 3 for it to stay active. I think its $0.15/min or something.

So if she doesn't use the phone very much thats $80/year

 

[RossMAN]

http://www.howardforums.com/sh...d.php?threadid=1101630

http://www.betanews.com/articl...Phones_Easy/1165958010

I'm not sure if it's a scam or not but I've also considered one for older non-techno relatives. Ultimately I decided against it because you can find a better deal with a regular 'old prepaid cell phone.

http://www.t-mobile.com click "Free $25" in the lower left and check your PM's.

I would suggest the Nokia 2610 (which is easy to operate) for $29.99 with free $25 airtime credit. IMHO that's a better cell phone, network and offers more flexiblity.

However if she doesn't have great eye sight and is extremely tech challenged, you may want to consider the Jitterbug.

 

[klod]

My father-in-law has one, seems to like it fine. Here's a review from March 2007. Don't know if the plans/options/etc have changed since then. Good luck!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: klod
My father-in-law has one, seems to like it fine. Here's a review from March 2007. Don't know if the plans/options/etc have changed since then. Good luck!

Nice review, thanks!

$147 for the cell phone plus calling plan?

ROTFLMAO

 

[kranky]

Never had one but have read about them and checked their site out. Seems like the perfect cell phone for non-techies who are comfortable with traditional POTS phones.

I wouldn't go with a traditional cell phone unless the person really wants to put in time learning how to use it. If she wants a phone for emergencies, then go with the Jitterbug. In an emergency, who wants to be dependent on a device they really aren't comfortable with and rarely use?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: kranky
Never had one but have read about them and checked their site out. Seems like the perfect cell phone for non-techies who are comfortable with traditional POTS phones.

I wouldn't go with a traditional cell phone unless the person really wants to put in time learning how to use it. If she wants a phone for emergencies, then go with the Jitterbug. In an emergency, who wants to be dependent on a device they really aren't comfortable with and rarely use?

Excellent advice as usual. However it's not that difficult to dial 911 or xxx-xxx-xxxx and press TALK.

However emergency + older person = confusion

 

[JEDI]

pageplus.com as carrier

LINK for cheap refills