Tracfone Review

BUYER BEWARE! My family has been using various models of Tracfone for years. Yes, it is much less expensive and there are no service contracts than other cellular services. However, Tracfone is the worst when it comes to customer service. The 1-800 number you call for Tracfone is in the Philippines and not very many representatives speak English very well. I had three inactive phones that I wanted to reactivate. I purchased three 60-minute airtime pins on their web site and discovered that they combined them all into one 180-minute pin. I called to explain the problem. The willingly walked me through the process of reactivating 2 of the 3 phones with 60 minutes each. However the third phone needed a new part (SIM card), which had to be mailed. They informed me that once the new part arrived to call them and they would then be able to reactivate the phone. In the meantime, the number two phone would not work. I called them about it and they walked me through the process of getting it working again. When the part for the number 3 phone finally arrived, I called Tracfone as instructed. They informed me that I would have to buy more airtime for the phone because they added the airtime to my number 2 phone and blamed me for the problem. I explained the problem to a supervisor and still got nowhere. I reversed the charges to my credit card and I'll never do business with Tracfone again!

I think this sounds like something my brother gave my dad to have on the road with him. Now he is always with one of the kids who all have cell phones so I don't think he really uses his anymore. ~Gigi

This sounds like a great idea! And a great deal!

That's a good idea, thanks!

You might look into buying your Mom a Tracfone with DMFL. You can get them for as little as $20.
Check out my article on "How to Avoid Expensive Tracfone Mistakes"

http://www.compare-prepaid-cell-phones.com/TracfoneMistakes.html

Rick

Oo, cool review, Jo. Hope you have a wonderful time with your daughter!

I have read a few different reviews on the Tracfone, and I'm almost convinced to get one. I live in a mountainous region and even with Verizon (which I now have) I don't always get good reception. The Tracfone sounds like the cost saving route I'm wanting to go in, but I haven't found anyone who knows if I'd get reception here or not.

Also, in my researching this phone I saw something about the $20 service fee. It was not very clear, and I kept wondering why it said there was no contract then. Also, since they have the $20 minute cards, I wondered if the service fee and the minute cards were the same thing.

Anyway, thanks to your review, it all makes sense now. Very well written.

It's nice to have an option other than the long-term contract plans. I'm glad to hear it's working for your mom. :)

I'm sick and tried of my Cingular service (now AT&T). We have been checking on different options. My grandmother has a Tracfone and she loves it. Thank you so much for this review. As soon as my contract with AT&T ends, I will be buying a tracfone. NO Contract, Yay! Great Review, Jo! ;-)

Yep! I love mine. Their cheap and NO CONTRACT. Terrific review.

I agree, Jo. I have used my Tracphone for several years now. The phone does not work overseas, though. It only works in the USA. Was recently in Mexico and had to call my voice mail from a landline phone in Mexico in order to get any messags. I still luv the phone and the low cost.