Hobby Phone

For the tmobile plan, is there an expiration for the amount of $ you bought (i.e. $10, 50 or 100). If you only use the phone occasionally, what's the best option for startup and refills? Originally Posted by rocketman
If you drop a bill on the 1000minute plan it won't expire until 365 days later. The cool part is that if you put some more minutes on the card, $10/100min for example, the remaining minutes from your first 1000 are automatically renewed for another 365 days. Also since you are considered to be on a gold plan any minutes you refill the card with have another 15% bonus added.

My limited use means I only have to refill once a year. Two years ago I walked into a tmobile store and paid $100. One year ago, I walked in and paid $10. As of now I still have 420minutes on my card. I think in the next month or so I'm due to expire again so it will be interesting to see if what I have remaining will carry over for yet another 365days

If you don't want to spend $100 at once you can incrementally spend/refill to $100. Once you do that you achieve that same gold status where the remaining minutes don't expire for 365 days, etc.

I'd suggest talking to a t-mobile rep for all the details
Ghozer's Avatar
I wish I had ran across this subject/thread before I got my hobby phone. Not that I regret getting one but there are some very nice deals I could've taken advantage of. But yes, being new to the hobby I must say that having a hobby phone is a must, especially if you have an SO to contend with. Just keep the phone at work turned off and only use it when the mood suits you.
belinda's Avatar
Timely topic for me. I'm getting the hobby phone tonight. Thank you to all that contributed to this thread.
finally, a good use for my google voice number.
belinda's Avatar
The Walmart experience acquiring a hobby phone yesterday:

1) only personal info requested was DOB and the sales lady said no problem just use anything and she filled it in herself. I never saw any application; she did ask me for a four digit password to use.

2) the phone serial number is on the sales ticket. I paid with cash. Except for the store camera, there is nothing to connect me to acquiring the phone.
GneissGuy's Avatar
The Walmart experience acquiring a hobby phone yesterday:

1) only personal info requested was DOB and the sales lady said no problem just use anything and she filled it in herself. I never saw any application; she did ask me for a four digit password to use.

2) the phone serial number is on the sales ticket. I paid with cash. Except for the store camera, there is nothing to connect me to acquiring the phone. Originally Posted by belinda
1) Be sure to remember the lies you tell when registering it. You may get asked at some time.

2) What cell phone provider was the phone for? I've never been asked for birthday when buying an AT&T prepaid at walmart. I wonder if the policy has changed, or if it is just different for different service providers.
tinman483's Avatar
Ok? I understand the reason etc for a hobby phone. I used to have one and then let it go. I still use my old flip phone! I know LOL! And yes I'm functionally illiterate when it comes to electronics/computers/phones etc.
Can someone explain to me what a "sim card" is and what it does? Does changing sim card change the # on phone back and forth?
Pardon me those may be dumb questions but no one has ever explained it to me! Just sayon. Thnx