cell phone deals

[mulock]

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/96982-m...irtime-canada/

<table class="Text12A" border="1" bordercolor="#6dd009" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="Title13C" align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc">Option A　</td> <td colspan="2" class="Title13C" align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc">Option B　</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Build you own 30/My Fav</td> <td width="64" align="right">$30.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Pre-paid "One number unlimited"</td> <td width="65" align="right">$7.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">System Assess Fee</td> <td width="64" align="right">$0.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">System Assess Fee</td> <td width="65" align="right">$0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">911 Charge</td> <td width="64" align="right">$0.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">911 Charge</td> <td width="65" align="right">$0.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">TELUS total</td> <td width="64" align="right">$30.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">TELUS total</td> <td width="65" align="right">$7.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">MAGIC NUMBER</td> <td width="64" align="right">$6.95</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">MAGIC NUMBER</td> <td width="65" align="right">$6.95</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Title13C" width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Total Monthly (before TAX)</td> <td class="Title13C" width="64" align="right">$36.65</td> <td class="Title13C" width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Total Monthly (before TAX)</td> <td class="Title13C" width="65" align="right">$14.70</td></tr></tbody></table>
I'm currently on Option B and loving it. Call quality is excellent. You have to make a few extra key presses, but nothing complicated. The forum link above explains everything in detail.

[DragOnt]

I did some research about prepaid phones since I don't use my phone a lot. I think 7-11 offers quite good deal on prepaid phones. The coverage is good, the price is 25 cents a minute, and all types of phone card ($25, $50, etc) expires 365 days.
A con side is that you have to buy a phone from them to get a sim card.
But if you use the phone a lot, maybe a monthly plan is better.

I agree with cottoncandy.

[wendymelanson]

I really like my virgin pay as you go. I have a plan that cost $20 a month.I have never had a problem with them.My daughter has koodoo and it is crazy(she hates it) and I am pretty sure that it is owned by Bell.
P.S. I have had mt virgin phone for three years.

[jthompso]

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/96982-m...irtime-canada/

<table class="Text12A" border="1" bordercolor="#6dd009" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="Title13C" align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc">Option A　</td> <td colspan="2" class="Title13C" align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc">Option B　</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Build you own 30/My Fav</td> <td width="64" align="right">$30.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Pre-paid "One number unlimited"</td> <td width="65" align="right">$7.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">System Assess Fee</td> <td width="64" align="right">$0.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">System Assess Fee</td> <td width="65" align="right">$0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">911 Charge</td> <td width="64" align="right">$0.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">911 Charge</td> <td width="65" align="right">$0.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">TELUS total</td> <td width="64" align="right">$30.00</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">TELUS total</td> <td width="65" align="right">$7.75</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">MAGIC NUMBER</td> <td width="64" align="right">$6.95</td> <td width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">MAGIC NUMBER</td> <td width="65" align="right">$6.95</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Title13C" width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Total Monthly (before TAX)</td> <td class="Title13C" width="64" align="right">$36.65</td> <td class="Title13C" width="188" align="left" bgcolor="#eeffee">Total Monthly (before TAX)</td> <td class="Title13C" width="65" align="right">$14.70</td></tr></tbody></table>
I'm currently on Option B and loving it. Call quality is excellent. You have to make a few extra key presses, but nothing complicated. The forum link above explains everything in detail.

Thanks for this post - I visited the magic number website and I am a bit confused about the cities it lists in their coverage area. "This service is currently available in most of the major cities in Canada" If your city is not listed eg. Owen Sound Ontario would you still be able to use the service? Thanks for any help on this - I am definitely interested in this.

[frugal_gal]

I agree with cottoncandy.

I did some research about prepaid phones since I don't use my phone a lot. I think 7-11 offers quite good deal on prepaid phones. The coverage is good, the price is 25 cents a minute, and all types of phone card ($25, $50, etc) expires 365 days.
A con side is that you have to buy a phone from them to get a sim card.
But if you use the phone a lot, maybe a monthly plan is better.

I researched a bit and concluded the 7-11 (or similar deals like Petro Canada) was the best deal as far as prepaid phones go if the phone is meant to use only here and there (ex: to make calls to let someone know you're running late, emergency). The most attractive feature to me is that the airtime you buy is valid for 365 days and you don't lose the time if you buy more time before the year is up and the info was all pretty clear without all kinds of small print and exceptions, etc. Also, from what I gather the area the phone service provides as local vs long distance, for say 519 area code, is hugh!
Now, I have to admit I missed getting the phone during the holiday season promo 7-11 had but it's the one I'll be getting and the one I've been telling everyone I know who's looking into getting cell phone for 'emergency' use.

[supermum]

I got a prepaid virgin mobile, ~$70 for a basic phone, and as long as I keep my balance above $20 every month I pay .10/min with free incoming/outgoing text messages.

However, customer service sucks. But keep it topped up, and you won't have a problem.

[julyprincess]

If you are considering contract, sign up for only 1 year...you may have to pay more to buy the phone but its worth it..because that way when it's up for renewal in a year, you can negotiate better deals to make you stay with the same company..I always do 1 year renewals as I feel 2-3 years are way too long..my plan is quite good right now but that's only because I was with the company for 6 years (kept renewing each year)

[pink_panda]

i think 7-11 cell phone plan is the best option at the moment. i can't find any info. on their official website. but if you google around you should be able to find a website/forum that specificially talks about 7-11 cell phone plans.

sometimes they offer free phones(or $50 to $75 credit to towards a phone) when you buy $100 airtime.

[cincin88]

now 7-11 offer $20 off phone if activate new phone and buy $50 card. is there any $1.00 911 charge like petro? I can wait later for a better deal. what would the best deal be and when usually would that come? thanks!

[frugal_gal]

Not sure if here are better or similar promos for SpeakOut phones from 7-11 as I only really heard of them a couple months ago. Around Nov-Dec they had a promo which I read somewhere they've had previous years at around the same time. The deal: Free phone (value of $59) or $59 off any speakout phone when you buy $100 airtime; also in small print was a note that there is $25 bonus airtime when purchasing $100 speakout airtime voucher. So in Ontario, with taxes, I think it worked out to something like this: get a phone for free and 500 minutes of airtime (at $0.25 per minute local calls) for $113 and your airtime is valid for 365 days...or roughly $9 per month.

[mulock]

Thanks for this post - I visited the magic number website and I am a bit confused about the cities it lists in their coverage area. "This service is currently available in most of the major cities in Canada" If your city is not listed eg. Owen Sound Ontario would you still be able to use the service? Thanks for any help on this - I am definitely interested in this.

You need to be located in one of the cities MagicNumber lists to use this service. I live in Halifax, which is listed, so I am able to have unlimited incoming, outgoing calls anytime of day, plus unlimited long distance to all listed cities with MagicNumber coverage.

[Tuktu60]

I also have the 7-11 Speakout Wireless - its a great plan - really affordable - your time doesn't run out for 365 days if you buy $100. Its a great phone. Ready to go right out of the box, no contract. Only deal is you have to go into a 7-11 to top up your time - you can't buy additional phone time online or over the phone. If you are not close to a 7-11 - that can be a pain.

http://www.speakout7eleven.ca/

Unofficial Speakout forum with some info and discussion
http://www.speakoutwireless.ca/

If you are buying a 7-11 Speakout phone, just PM me for a referral code, that adds $10 to your phone time