Prepaid cell phones

[pjslawncare/landscap]

I think I will finally get a cell phone this year, but not sure which way to go. I dont really talk much but like to have the convenience of it. Thought about going with a monthy plan but dont really want the monthly payments in winter months and I dont need a cell phone in winter times. Anyone use prepaid cells? Are they more $$ in the long run. What are the pros & conns.

[swim]

Prepaid is a lot of trouble in my opinion when you call to renew minutes it can be a real problem and most run out in two months or so if you don't use up all the minutes. If your using the cell # and giving it to customers they may want to call you in the winter for some side work or extras. If you keep the same # it will help them get in touch with you. In the long run if you can afford it a monthly cell plan is best and most people don't talk to machines (click) and go to the next add. I think a regular cell will pay for itself many times over. Plus if you put your # in an add or on your business card with the plan you will be able to keep your # the same all the time. If your minutes run out for to long on a prepaid phone you will not be able to use the same # (I know).

[celltech]

I have actually been considering the same thing. I am just starting this year, so I am not sure if I will have the customer base to have a full fledge cell phone.

I checked with the cell company that I work for, and if I went with a pre-pay, I could get 100 anythime minutes, and 1000 night and weekends for $25 a re-fill. That is a really REALLY bad $/minute rate. For, I think, soemthing like $4 I can get voicemail. But the main thing I wanted to know about, is if in 2 months business is booming, can I switch that number over to a regular plan. The answer was yes. So, just to see how things take off in the begining, I am going with the pre-pay.

I am a field tech so that is why I was not up on the sales side of things and plans offered. But the really stupid part is that I already have 3 phones and a pager (I am on call 24/7) from the company for free (oops I mean for work). But I want to keep everything seperate from work and home.

I forgot one thing. You only have to make (or recieve I think) one call a month for the minutes to roll over. And I think they will roll over on the pre-pay for 6 months. That is my company, I don't know what the others offer.

[Soupy]

Once you get one you will want to use it more then you think. Get a monthly plan. Buy your own phone if you don't want to be locked into a contract.

[j fisher]

You will be surprised how quick 100 minutes will go. As far as night and week end minutes go, I'm normally home at night and on week ends, as are most people. Thats why all the cell phone companys use this as a selling tool. THEY KNOW IT! I do use my cell phone a lot. I use Sun Com, unlimited minutes, free long distance, and no roaming charges. I can talk all I want, anytime I want for $49.00 per month.

[J Hisch]

PJ, I finally broke the bubble this past year also. I refused almost to a point becasue I did without one for so long. You get charged to much for prepaid. what I did while cash flow was high i paid in advance so that thru the winter i would be carrying a credit on my bill.

[lawnwizards]

a cell phone is a good write off during tax time..... *l* i just wish i could use my unused winter minutes during the summer when i actually talk alot.

[swim]

Cingluar will role over the unused minutes for 12 months.

[KCLandscape]

Which companies do you use...I use tmobile and Nextel
Which companies have the best rates you have found?

[walker-talker]

I use T-Mobile now, but just a call from SBC today. They have joined with Cingular and offering a deal just for today...like 10% off. I like the idea of rollover minutes. In the winter you can roll over the minutes for the high summer use. That is a great deal on unlimited minutes for $49!!!

[Evan528]

wow, I thought everyone in the country hada cell phone at this point. Ive been with nextel for about 3 years now. You will wind up using alot more minutes then you think you will..... I have already had to upgrade my plan several times because I kept going over my minutes. For 50 bucks a month its worth having a montly plan.... just another expense in doing business.....

[celltech]

I completely understand that pre-pay is a rip off basically. And since I do work for one of the cell companies (is it appropriate to say which one????) I am really familiar with thier plans and everything although, maybe contriticting, I am not totally up to speed on the sales side of things.
The ONLY reason that I said I was thinking about going with prepay was that I am just starting this year. If I can only rope in 3 customers, a 1 or 2 year contract would be alot of over head. Now, if in a month or two I have alot of customers (10 or more---which I do think Iwill get) and I feel more secure in it, then yes I will get a full contract and regular plan. I know the overhead will be high for the prepay while starting out, but I would rather suck that up for a month or 2 instead of a year or two with little or no customers. I am sure, and would hope that I would need a regular phone, but who knows.
I could use one of my work cell phones for my business, but that just sounds bad and do not want to jepordize the full time job that I do have. I am REALLY striving to keep work and family serperate from business. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

[qualitylandscaping]

I would definiently go for monthly, if you can afford it..

I'm on the Cingular Nation GSM plan.. 2,500 anytime minutes and 5,000 night and weekend minutes.. $149.99/month.. Got the PERRTY Samsung X427 phone too!!

I run the whole business off this phone, so it's alittle more justified for me..:D

[NNJLandman]

I had a prepaid when I first got a phone, but after a while I just didn't have enough minutes. I mean it depends how much you'll be using it etc, it can be a pain, you really have to decide for yourself what will be the best, if you go to a cell phone store they are going to sell you the more highly priced plan and phones. Do some research etc.

[CHAN]

If you don't want a contract there are plenty of used phones out there that can be had for nothing. Hech just do the checking around and see what company you would like service with and get one of their prepay phones if they dont have used ones and use it for a month and then disconnect it and you have a phone for about 80 bucks and no contract. I am with SouthernLinc here in the southeast and love the service. Have not had any problems with it. Wanted Nextel but everyone i knew had Linc and linc had better coverage in the southeast. Hardly use the phone unless customers call we use radio nearly everyone i do business with has them and alot of my customers.

[jt5019]

You can get a trac fone in the walmart,target etc electronics section.they are decent cell phones. they are the basic nokia and motarola(sp) phones.When you buy the phone you are issued a number and a certain amount of minutes.When you get low on minutes you can go right back to walmart and buy a new card.You then go home punch some numbers on the computer or call in and you have more minutes.They have something like 40 to 400 minute cards for rather cheap.As long as you dont totally run out all your minutes you will always have the same number.The service is fine i havnt had one problem.The choice of model phones is kinda limited but it may be worth it , you dont have to worry about contracts like with a normal cell service.Just my two cents

[Lux Lawn]

Like almost everybody else said don't go with the prepaid it can be a hassle.I use Verizon and pay 49.99 per month for unlimited but I do pay roaming charges for long distance.Most people that call me don't even use my house phone anymore they always call my cell.Plus they are great for snowplowing you can talk while working it makes the time go faster.Last month alone I used mine like 4800 minutes we plowed like 12 times in January.

[Metro Lawn]

I use NexTel. I don't use the cell much for calling out, but I get alot of incoming calls. I have the plan that includes 500 anytime, free nights and weekends, unlimited 2 way, and free incoming calls. I use the phone about 4000 minutes a month (mostly incoming) and my bill is always under $90. They also offer "stand-by" for your off season. Puts your account on hold for up to a 6 month period. Cost is like 4.95 a month.

[Team Gopher]

Hi Pjslawncare,

Here is another option

Virgin Mobile (http://virginmobileusa.com/)

Quote from their site.
"Pay As You Go
No contracts
No monthly bills
No hidden fees
No extra charges for weekend, night, or long-distance calls
Pay only for the minutes you use
Free voicemail "