WWYD? Need a new phone

[Ianthe]

My cel phone is crapping out on me, and I'll need to replace it soon.. It is a Cricket phone.. which means I pay $57 a month for unlimited everything.. I've used it for a long time and really like it.. however, I could also get a landline for about $20 a month.. which would be cheaper, but doesn't have the same advantages as my phone- for instance calling long distance and text messaging.. plus being able to bring it out with me.

We really can't afford to replace our phone right now either.. unless maybe I found something cheap on ebay.

I hate that these things have to be replaced every year or 2! :

[kdabbler]

My dh and I have bought several phones off of eBay. Just decide on which service you want to use (e.g. Verizon, AT&T...) and then search ebay according to the service. Most cases, you can find something pretty decent for $30 to $50 including shipping. Just check the ratings of the seller before you bid. The savings though is only if you're remaining with the same provider. If you're a new customer, they may try and lock you in for two years. In that case, they usually have a free phone.

I'm not familiar with Cricket though. Is that a pre-pay phone/system?

[Contrariety]

I've had decent success with ebay phones. ...too bad I just got rid of my old one, I would have given it to you.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by kdabbler

I'm not familiar with Cricket though. Is that a pre-pay phone/system?

Cricket isn't totally national yet, but basically you pay a certain amount a month and get unlimited service for what you pay for.. it is sort of pre pay, but you don't go over on minutes.. my service is unlimited minutes, long distance, text, voicemail, internet browsing (very slow).. pretty much everything you want.

[marimara]

I just replaced my AT&T ripoff cell phones with TracFone, the phone itself is a basic no frills phone, for 12.88 at Walmart, and you can buy cards to add minutes almost anywhere. I love it!

[Ianthe]

I've done pre-pay phones before.. but here's the deal.. I have a lot of close friends and family that live long distance, and I talk to them A LOT. I could do a home phone and buy a calling card from Costco, but whatever phone I'll be using I'll be using a lot.

[xmysticprincessx]

i'd go for the cell phone- seems like you'd pay about as much or more for a landline (when adding in calling cards or long distance). and you can take the cell with you.

like pp said, check out ebay. i searched for phones on there before, and there were some that were really cheap. (similar phones to dh's phone that was only a couple years old and still worked well wasnt even selling for $1 plus shipping.)

or, ask on freecycle.

[kdabbler]

So really, your question is whether you should get a landline or wireless?

What about Internet? How are you here at MDC?

You can get some sweet deals from Vonage and cable providers. You can get a flat fee for the bundle.

BTW, I did a quick looksee on eBay for you and there are tons of Cricket compatible phones for under $50.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by kdabbler

So really, your question is whether you should get a landline or wireless?

What about Internet? How are you here at MDC?

You can get some sweet deals from Vonage and cable providers. You can get a flat fee for the bundle.

BTW, I did a quick looksee on eBay for you and there are tons of Cricket compatible phones for under $50.

my internet is WiFi.. via my kind neighbor letting use thier connection

I haven't thought of vonage.. that's might be something to look into too

[westernskies]

Ask on freecycle? Maybe someone has an old one they could give you!

[kdabbler]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

my internet is WiFi.. via my kind neighbor letting use thier connection

We do the neighborly thing and leave ours wide open all the time Although we have two sometimes three neighbors that we could share with as well.

Vonage has a $24.99 free calls deal right now.