by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: October 14, 2009

The pre-paid cell phone world was created out of necessity for those of us with less than good credit who could not get a contract a phone plan, balked on a previous plan or had difficulty in other bill pays that was reflective on future phone service.
Pre-paid cell phones became a better option for cell users who did not use a phone regularly, hardly text, or just wanted to use one for travel. Some pre-paid clients became so to teach the kids responsibility. But not all pre-paid cell companies are alike.

Most pre-paid cell phone companies are just the corporate cousin to a larger company or service. A few pre-paid companies are not US companies at all. While most companies dangle pretty phones and cut rate costs to the consumer, there are a few things to consider before justifying which company to choose.

1. Cost. Some companies will charge $.10 - $.25 a minute for pre-paid use, but might add more than a $1 charge per day on the day that customer uses that particular service. Example? You make one call at $.25, the company charges you $1.25 for the day. These are usually taken off your account in the form of a unit. Unit pricing is like poker chips. The cash value is seen as something other than on a monetary scale. Roaming charges can double unit costs.

2. Time. Some pre-paid accounts will time the customer to the nearest or next minute. Some use a unit price structure that time calls up to the accurate second. Either way, the time one is on the phone is only reflective to what service plan the pre-paid company offers. One may be better in minutes than the other timed up to the second if their are no extra hidden charges.

3. Use our phone. Most phones on selective pre-paid services will only work with that direct service. This is called a locked phone on a proprietary service. A Revol phone will not work with Trac-fone service, etc...

4. Roll over minutes. Most pre-paid cell phones do have rollover minutes as long as you buy another pre-paid card or minutes within a set time period.

5. Texting options. Most pre-paid cell service offers texting at a cheaper cost than regular call minute rates. But rarely are these texts ever free, so their costs can add up to the avid texting teen or adult.

6. Quite a few pre-paid phones and their service can be dispensable. This is why pre-paid phones and service have been given a bad rap as a service for lowlifes and criminals. Parents with children may tend to buck that way of thinking. Giving a child a pre-paid phone to

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>