Nokia 918/TRACFONE service...
Written: Jun 17 '01
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Pros: small, durable phone has volume control and fits in my purse!
Cons: service with Tracfone is very expensive
The Bottom Line: I'd recommend this phone to anyone who wanted a cell phone without a contract. Its a great phone to have!
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| catladyfromnpt's Full Review: Nokia 918 Cell Phone |
I'd been wanting a cell phone for awhile, but really didn't want to get stuck in a contract because of my past experience with cell phones, so when my sister in law got one of these Nokia918 Tracfone's, I got very interested in getting one for myself.
The phone itself cost $49.99, but came with a choice of a $30 rebate or 100 free minutes. Once you'd kept the phone activated for 90 days, they sent you your refund. I chose the free minutes since 100 free minutes is worth $50.
The phones are sold in most major department stores and the price varies between $49.99 and $99.99 for some of the more expensive models. The service, however is the same price. Once you buy the phone, which comes with 10 minutes. When you get home with the phone, plug it in for 48 hours to charge. Then you have to call an 800 number to activate it. You can also activate phones by going to the Tracfone website. When you call or go to the website, you are required to give them your personal information, such as name, address, phone number, etc. You do not need to give them a credit card number. You also have to pick a 4 digit PIN number. Once you get through that, then its time to activate your phone. The operator will give you several sets of numbers to punch into your phone, once you've finished, your phone is now activated. Then you have to wait another 24 hours to use the phone. They ask you to test it by calling your home phone number, then calling your cell phone from your home phone. Once tested, the phone is ready to go.
To add more time, you have to purchase phone cards, most major department stores sell them, I usually get mine at Walmart, or buy the cards right from the Tracfone website. I find that to be easier, again when you buy the cards, you need to go to the website or call the 800 number to punch numbers into your phone to activate the minutes. The first time takes the longest, after that it takes about 2 minutes.
The time on the phone cards vary, you can buy a 10 minute phone card for $7.99, a 30 minute phone card is $19.99 and a 100 minute phone card is $49.99. You can also buy a 260 minute phone card for $99.99. You have to buy a 10 minute phone card every month in order to keep your phone activated. You only have to buy the other cards every 60 days, which is a better value. Any unused minutes carry over to the next month, provided you buy a new card in time. When you turn on the phone, the amount of units (minutes) you have left shows up as well as the expiration date.
Its definetely more expensive than other phones, where you can get up to 500 minutes or more for $29.99 a month, but the reason I like tracfone is that I'm not stuck in a contract, even though its way too expensive. I don't plan on keeping this phone forever, but for now its good for emergencies and nice to have.
This phone is easy to use, and is very durable. It doesn't have alot of features and you can't check your email with it. It does have caller ID and you can change the rings. The battery lasts for about a day and a half off the charger and it beeps when the battery is getting low. Its small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and is very durable. I dropped it once in a parking lot and figured it was history when it hit the cement. It still works. Its also got a volume control for people like me who have hearing problems. Reception is great unless you're in a really remote area.
I'd recommend this phone to anyone looking for a low cost cell phone, for emergencies or for someone who just doesn't need another bill every month.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 49.99
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Epinions.com ID:
catladyfromnpt
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Member: Maryanne
Location: Rhode Island
Reviews written: 170
Trusted by: 29 members
About Me:
I'm a 39 year old married mom to 3 cats from Rhode Island...
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