reasonfaith's Full Review: Nokia Tracfone Prepaid Cellular Phone Blue Tf1100p...
This Nokia 1100 prepaid cell phone is for paupers because it may very well be the only phone that once filled does not come with monthly required credit card debits and credits. If you are the kind of person who talks or makes calls very little, but like the reliability of good customer service and useage then this is the cell phone for you.
I bought mine from Target a few years back along with a prepaid phone card. They sell these cell phone minute cards at most discount stores like Fred Meyer and Rite Aid. However, I like the convenience of renewing time on the card from my landline using my credit and or debit cards which Tracfone can keep on file or not for your convenience.
The phone is one piece, no fancy camera, flip phone or features - however it can do simple text messages. Since the phone is prepaid, you do not have to worry about the guy on the other line hitting you up with hidden fees like 99 cents a minute, however, Tracfone will bill you for your minutes used and that includes using it to retrieve your own messages even from your landline connection or other. They sell time in increments of around $20 for 50 minutes or double-lifetime minutes if you wish to spluge. No free Sundays or Mother's Day with this phone however.
If you move out of your call area, you will need to contact customer service to get a new local calling area number which they do by sending you a new SIM card via usually FedEx, so it is secure and quickly done. I have never had a problem with payments, bonus codes and premiums, refilling the card either using the gift-minute cards or own credit card and they WILL take even minimum payments of around $10 a month. The trick is that each time you renew your minutes, your monthly useage period (like the date the phone or minutes will expire) is extended. So for example, I only have 39 minutes right now but do not have to renew the minutes until March of 2010 if that is my pleasure. You can quickly see that for an emergency backup phone or for only use as long-distance, this phone makes minimal demands of you as a cell phone user money-wise.
The phone is ugly looking, blue and steel grey but the buttons are readable as is the face and you can put in your contacts, set timers and alarm clock, do some preinstalled games, select a ring feature (I think I currently have the William Tell Overture) and the texting feature works well enough as those received have acknowledged back with replies quickly - including unfortunately Tracfone's advertising department.
The worst feature, at least on my phone, is that it forgets to tell me I have missed calls or calls received until I am about to log out. Then a little message code comes up to signal. This may be a glitch, since my earlier Tracfone did not have this problem. Yes, I have been with these guys a long time and have gone to an upgraded camera phone with Motorola one time, only to return due to expenses of what cell phone minutes, txt, pix and internet can cost - outlandish!
If you have basic phone service on a landline, this phone will help you supplement that with voice mail which automatically comes with the phone and can be forwarded from the landline to the cell phone. It works great and you can select whether it will be a prerecorded message or personal greeting. You may eventually get frustrated if you are ever caught running out of time - I once spent my last 3 minutes in frustration running it out talking with Tracfone, but they do have online access for billing and can help you keep your old phone number to transfer, so if you like to spend as LITTLE as possible on airtime - this is the phone for you.
They do have optional equipment that comes in kits like the tiny ear bud, car battery adapter and jacket to ride in and sometimes they offer these free with purchase of phone. The regular wall outlet adapter comes with the package and works fine, clearly letting you know when the phone is recharging and full without overheating. The basic setup can be purchased at Target or Rite Aid for around $30, and the phone card of minutes to add is additional.
The sound quality, readability of the face, and customer service are excellent. I have never had any trouble traveling out of my calling area with this phone which uses your local calling area's provider like AT & T or other.
Largest Coverage Area In The U.s. Minutes Carry Over With Active Service; Single Rate For Every Call Local Long Distance And No Roaming. You Decide Ho...More at Target
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