Hobby phone question

I use straight talk from Walmart. Gives you the most minutes for less. It's the best deal. Originally Posted by incognito isis
I agree with that.. unlimited talk text and internet $45 a month. You do not need a credit card for it. When they ask for your info when setting up the phone just make shit up.
john353's Avatar
I highly recommend prepaid T-Mobile for your hobby phone. No charge for daily access - you only pay for the minutes you use, and if you buy 1000 minutes for $100, they last a year. Originally Posted by blowpop
The first time I bought a "hobby" phone, I went the T-mobile route. I paid the $100 for the 1000 minutes and it worked fine. The only thing is, since I'm single and don't have an SO to hide anything from...I never used it. I may have used 30 minutes of time in the whole year, so the remainder of minutes was pretty much wasted. I think I still have the phone, somewhere.

I even bought a Tracfone once. Same thing, I never used it and the minutes went to waste.

I always just use my everyday phone. Are there reasons why a single guy like myself should use a dedicated hobby phone?

EDIT... I found the phone but can't find the charger, LOL.
Don T. Lukbak's Avatar
I used Virgin Mobile for 5 years up to about 6 months ago, was well pleased and recommended it highly. About six months ago they turned to shit. The only consistent feature was consistent unreliability. Avoid Virgin Mobile.
bbkid's Avatar
  • bbkid
  • 03-25-2011, 07:59 AM
Yup, like Uncle Donnie, I used Virgin Mobile but their coverage was so weak that I changed over to T-Mobile Pre-Paid. For some reason, the signal is really weak at home but works fine everywhere else I try to use it. Even out of town and out of state, it works quite well.
Kit Walker's Avatar
it sounds like the T Mobile may be the way to go for me. I never use all the minutes but I neeed the calendar time so if $100 buys you a year that is what I neeeed. Can any T Mobile users confirm this for me? and go you have to buy from a T Mobile store or can you buy from a Walmart or somewhere that it is cash and carry?
T- mobile doss sound like a good route to go I just hope they don't get rid of the no contract thing once AT&T takes over.....they said changes possible within a year.
john353's Avatar
Ok... I found my charger and went by T-mobile and reactivated my phone.

$30 for 1500 minutes or texts a month. No contract.

I figure I'll try that out and see how many minutes and/or texts I use before going the $100 for a year route.
johnnybax's Avatar
Google voice
bigGswing's Avatar
Just bought an AT&T "Go phone". $2 a day and you only get charged for the days you use it. $11.88 for the phone at WM at I bought a $60 prepaid card you can reload via text on the phone. Paid cash and didn't have to fill out anything. Texts, picture messages and nationwide calling are all included in the $2 per day. Since I had an SO who still might be trying to get dirt on me this is the way to go for me since I ammonly an occasional hobbyist. It also reminds me to turn the phone off when I am not using it.
Has anyone tried this one out? Any opinions?
If you want something that is 100 percent anonymous, go to Wall Mart, by a Trac-Phone with cash, activate it yourself, (do NOT use your computer), and by the re-fill cards at any drugstore.

I buy 200 minutes at a time, that way if I loose the phone or damage it, I am not out much at all.

The main thing is, do NOTHING that can trace the phone back to your real identity.
LatinHeat's Avatar
+1 for the Tracfone, paid in cash and no names or info. the minute cards are available at any corner store, walgreens, even grocery stores. The best investment I ever bought for that phone was a "Double Minute" Card! For the life of my phone any refill card I purchase will automatically double my minutes! So when I but a 200 minute card it automatically updates to 400! Also if you search online Tracfone has "promo codes" which will add an extra 40 or 50 minutes depending on which card you buy. Good deal.
The first time I bought a "hobby" phone, I went the T-mobile route. I paid the $100 for the 1000 minutes and it worked fine. The only thing is, since I'm single and don't have an SO to hide anything from...I never used it. I may have used 30 minutes of time in the whole year, so the remainder of minutes was pretty much wasted. I think I still have the phone, somewhere.

I even bought a Tracfone once. Same thing, I never used it and the minutes went to waste.

I always just use my everyday phone. Are there reasons why a single guy like myself should use a dedicated hobby phone?

EDIT... I found the phone but can't find the charger, LOL. Originally Posted by john353
I am a single guy and I use my own phone.. I can link a Google # to it and if need be I could unlink it, or change the google account or change the actual Tmobile #.


Food for thought
I personally just use Google Voice on my regular Tmobile phone. It is a free cell number and I get texts and calls through them on my regular cell so I don't pay anything extra.