Tracfone?

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Hi...Corey just got a Tracfone today, and I was just wondering if anyone has one. I know most of you will mobiles mostly have plans, not prepaid. I think Virgin does a much better one, but he basically got this one free from selling over 50 items at a fundraiser for school...he's super bummed because he came home to put his 120 minutes on it today, and when he called to activate it, it says our zip code won't work with it. Feel sorry for him, as he's really been looking forward to using it. Prepaid is the only way to go for him...wayyyyy too worried about the bills otherwise...he's 13 and pretty responsible, but not so much that I'm going to trust him with a phone bill like that! Anyway, is that just the end of it, or is there something we could do? I realize this is probably a *stupid* question, but I don't know so going to ask anyway...they sell these at the Walmart about 15 miles from here in MI...can he enter THAT zip code, could it work...or...if it doesn't work in our zip code, it just won't work...?

Thanks... M.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

thx for the PM..he's/we're calling customer service now...they said they could replace it with one that will work in our area (???) but don't know if that means they would send us another one and we would pay additional if there's more cost or what...pretty crappy that he worked so hard selling that stuff and distributing it, collecting all the cash later..for nothing. M.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Ok...so we were just on the phone with customer service for 10/15 minutes and they are sending him a new phone that will be compatible with our zip code, and then we'll have 15 days to return the old one or something. What I'm not understand is: when I viewed a map of the coverage of Motorola Tracfones in our area, there was barely any coverage at ALL up here, so how can ANY phone be compatible? (any Tracfone I mean) Hrmmmm. Anyone have an answer for me? Thanks. M.

[JanaknJanet 0]

Michelle.. depending on the phone.. some phones have better reception than others. when you get a simple phone reception is really bad. I looked up a site map for you of where towers are in Milwaukee.. Cell Tower locator

If you have a stronger. phone.. for better reception than many times they can piggyback on the reception of other towers.

So when you asked how tracphone can get reception if there is no recption sites.. it is probably they are sending a phone that can have access to different tower settings. and bounce to the tracphone tower.

you might also wish to check out Howardsforum for tracphones it is very knowlegable for anyone on their services and phone capibilities.

Side note.. My daughter 14 yr old has had her own phone $10 addition to my service. I added unlimited texting for her. and since we have verizon she can talk to me unlimited or persons also with verizon unlimited. . outside that she is allowed small service use unless she talks after 9pm and it is unlimited on the weekends. So far.. she has used this quite well. Her sister 12 yrs older.. while in university.. 5 yrs ago.. rang up a whopper of a bill for me.. go figure.. the younger one has more respect for its use. haha.

Now a days it is so important for the mobile phone.. .. safety alone. Hope that the sites help you with your service questions...

[MichelleandCraig 1]

THanks for the reply...

Unfortunately, as much as we might want them, we just can't have the added expense of cell phones right now. (I know, I know..we feel totally! out of the loop, too.) We planned to get them a while back, but have decided to wait a few more months until our finances are better. If we had a plan, I would have added Corey...I agree, it would be much cheaper.

We are nearly 300miles north of Milwaukee...we are about as north as we can get in WI...a lot of small towns up here..argh! Hopefully what they are sending us WILL work, somehow, though! I know others around here that have had Tracfones, so there must be something!

Thanks again... M.

[ceriserose 1]

I viewed a map of the coverage of Motorola Tracfones in our area, there was barely any coverage at ALL up here, so how can ANY phone be compatible? (any Tracfone I mean)

Michelle, wireless networks run on different types of service (there are a few different technologies on how the calls are handled and moved throughout the network). In rural areas there is older technology, and from what you've described of your location it would make sense to me that the newer phone he got isn't compatible with the older technology.

Building out the rural markets is the big thing to do in the wireless world right now. (And why I have the job I do! )

[MichelleandCraig 1]

So, he's gonna get an old version ####### phone??

At any rate, then GO WOMAN GO!! If you build it, we will buy!!!! M.