Goodness, I wanted a cell phone. I really, really wanted a cell phone. I needed a cell phone. I really, really needed a cell phone. But I was not willing to sign another contract. No more long term commitment for me! Imagine how happy I was to hear that a new phone service was coming to Wichita, Kansas!

The whole concept sounded so simple. I pay about $100 for the phone and get the first month free and all calls are free. Unlimited use. Both incoming and outgoing calls. The only call you must pay extra for is long distance. Which you can pre pay for and use when you need it. All of this for $29.99 a month. Sounds great right?

There are a few details that might help one make a more educated choice.

TRUTH- The service is $29.99 a month. There is no contract. The calls are unlimited.But..........

The calling area is limited to your local area and it may not cover your entire traveling area. If you want caller ID and message service as well as call waiting you must pay additional fees. I chose caller ID and message service. This made the fee now $42 dollars a month.

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

When I set up my service with cricket I went ahead and set it up from my credit card monthly. I felt that was the easy way to do it. Well................

The first month was free. The second month was deducted on time as they stated. At this point all is well. However, I was issued a new credit card with a new expiration date. I called their customer service number and gave the rep the new information and hung up with a smile.

Then, on my way home from work I turn on the phone to make a call and right away it tells me that I have not paid my bill. What? At this point I could just push a button and get customer service. I did and I explained that I had given new information the month before. The rep apologized and took the information again and said that would take care of it.............

Well, the next month I am in a department store when my phone rings. I look and on the screen there is a message that says that my phone will not work again until I pay my past due bill. What?

This time there is no option to call from the cell phone itself. In fact, when I get home I have to drag out everything I got with the phone. After trying every way I knew how, I kept getting automated push this for this, push this for that but no live person. After a half hour of doing this I figured out how to get someone to talk to me!

I used the number you would use to set up new cricket service! That number has real people. Of course it would. They need new people signing up so that is where the people are that answer the phone. When the young lady came on the line and asked which way I would like to set up my new service I told her I didn't but I would love for someone to clear up this problem so that I may continue my service.

The end result was this. The young lady working for cricket informed me the only way to get someone live was to do what I did. The problem was the expiration date. They entered the wrong one. So when the bill was presented the card company would not pay. This was the second month in a row that they screwed up my service. I asked for a supervisor. I didn't get one. They put the same young lady back on the phone to inform me that compensation would not be extended to me. Even though it was clear this was THEIR error.

The bottom line is the phone does work. I wanted a phone for emergency use and it serves its purpose for that. As long as I am in the proper area. I can call and talk as long as I wish and there are no minutes to worry about. Unless I put money in for long distance I do not have to worry about running the bill up.

This phone is good for young people who's parents do not want to worry about the bill or contract. It also works well for emergency, and local calls only.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 100