What are the disadvantages of pre-paid calling card services?

joe97ti

I'm looking to switch from Verizon to a pre paid service plan, but before I do I just want to make sure the pluses out weigh the minuses.

stan · 02-05-2007, 11:00

My wife and I have T Mobile prepaid plans, and we use unlocked phones. Once you've purchased $100 worth of T Mobile calling time, you become a "gold member". Any calling time purchased by a member in this category lasts for a year. In our case, I buy $25 worth of calling time for each phone once a year. That's enough for us. In fact, I think we could get buy with $10 per phone per year. Cingular has something similar, but not as inexpensive. In short, if you don't do much calling, prepaid plans are dirt cheap. So, I suggest you keep track of how much calling you do, and see if you really need all the calling minutes you currently have available.

snaimon · **Also a T-MO USA fan -** 02-05-2007, 12:40

Ditto that on T-Mobile. HOWEVER, T-MO rural coverage is not great. They are improving all the time, but that could be a problem for the poster.

I have a phone dedicated to my Amnesty International group which will hardly use any minutes so I recharge once a year for $10.

My wife hardly uses any minutes, so that is also $10 per year.

My son, however, send lots of SMS and tends to talk on the cell (is called on his cell) rather than using the home landline phone. He is burning about 250 minutes per month ($25 at retail rates). That is still less than most of the cheapest post-paid plans anywhere.

Stan

DRNewcomb · 02-05-2007, 13:04

1. Coverage may be more limited, particularly roaming coverage.
2. When you're out of minutes you have to top-up.

RTuesday · 03-05-2007, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRNewcomb

2. When you're out of minutes you have to top-up.

That's also a positive - you can never get a surprise bill. If you have a month of very heavy usage, you might have to refill several times (so you're aware of it and can maybe make changes), rather than just getting a large bill weeks later.

zion9495

There are many reasons why some people benefit from a pre-paid service plan, but there are still some disadvantages that we want for everyone to be aware of. The following is a list of five disadvantages to using a post-paid plan instead of a pre-paid calling plan.
Higher per minute rates
• Service and coverage area may not be the same as a post-paid plan
• Higher purchase price for the phone
• Must re-charge your phone when your minutes are exhausted
• Possible surcharges for inactivity, READ the fine print
Recently I located a service in internet at www.prepaidcardstore.com The facilities appear to be very lucrative and cheap.

	(#1)
joe97ti (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 3 Join Date: 02 May 2007 Country:	What are the disadvantages of pre-paid calling card services? - 02-05-2007, 10:23 I'm looking to switch from Verizon to a pre paid service plan, but before I do I just want to make sure the pluses out weigh the minuses.

	(#2)
stan (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 17 Join Date: 04 Oct 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Country:	02-05-2007, 11:00 My wife and I have T Mobile prepaid plans, and we use unlocked phones. Once you've purchased $100 worth of T Mobile calling time, you become a "gold member". Any calling time purchased by a member in this category lasts for a year. In our case, I buy $25 worth of calling time for each phone once a year. That's enough for us. In fact, I think we could get buy with $10 per phone per year. Cingular has something similar, but not as inexpensive. In short, if you don't do much calling, prepaid plans are dirt cheap. So, I suggest you keep track of how much calling you do, and see if you really need all the calling minutes you currently have available.

	(#3)
snaimon (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 898 Join Date: 17 Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA USA Country:	Also a T-MO USA fan - 02-05-2007, 12:40 Ditto that on T-Mobile. HOWEVER, T-MO rural coverage is not great. They are improving all the time, but that could be a problem for the poster. I have a phone dedicated to my Amnesty International group which will hardly use any minutes so I recharge once a year for $10. My wife hardly uses any minutes, so that is also $10 per year. My son, however, send lots of SMS and tends to talk on the cell (is called on his cell) rather than using the home landline phone. He is burning about 250 minutes per month ($25 at retail rates). That is still less than most of the cheapest post-paid plans anywhere. Stan Phones: DASH V3 (3) Service: US T-MO post paid (2) - US T-MO prepaid (2) - UM+ - TravelSIM DE SIMYO - DE SUNSIM T-Mobile DE Calling Cards: Onesuite Enjoyprepaid AT&T MCI Mobivox

	(#4)
DRNewcomb (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Professionist Posts: 1,465 Join Date: 27 Feb 2004 Location: Mississippi, USA Country:	02-05-2007, 13:04 1. Coverage may be more limited, particularly roaming coverage. 2. When you're out of minutes you have to top-up.

	(#6)
zion9495 (Offline) Junior Member Posts: 1 Join Date: 05 May 2007 Country:	What are the disadvantages of pre-paid calling card services? Reply to Thread - 05-05-2007, 07:21 There are many reasons why some people benefit from a pre-paid service plan, but there are still some disadvantages that we want for everyone to be aware of. The following is a list of five disadvantages to using a post-paid plan instead of a pre-paid calling plan. Higher per minute rates • Service and coverage area may not be the same as a post-paid plan • Higher purchase price for the phone • Must re-charge your phone when your minutes are exhausted • Possible surcharges for inactivity, READ the fine print Recently I located a service in internet at www.prepaidcardstore.com The facilities appear to be very lucrative and cheap.