cell phone deals

[kt_9333]

im wondering if anyone knows of a cheap basic plan... hubby wants a cell for just here and there calls...

does anyone have any good suggestions? if so can you please include the price and the features of the plan.. ei minutes, contact? text? ect...

thank you soooo much for any help...

[jthompso]

I would also like some help with this - I am looking for a cell phone for my Dad and he isn't hip with the times - just needs a basic phone and plan. Thanks for any input.

[sniperc151]

depends where you live... Right now if you live in Toronto or Calgary I would look at the new WIND mobile, by far the cheapest out there, otherwise the big 3 are generally the same, you can find horror stories about them all.

[kt_9333]

just checked out the wind plans, but it seems very limited to areas... i live about 1 hour away from t.o but if you lived in t.o it might be a good deal...

[kt_9333]

ceck out cellphones.ca... they have tons of plans mostly pre paid but 7 -11 seems to have a good deal...

[Luvmacoupnz]

I just got a new phone from Koodo. Did extensive research and had it down to between Virgin Mobile and Koodo. Went with the later because of their selection of phones. For $26 I get 50 daytime minutes and unlimited evening and weekends and 50 outgoing texts and unlimited incoming. I suggest you check out their websites and go informed when ready to make your final selection.

[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.

[cheapskate101]

DO NOT GO WITH KOODO!! they really really suck badly! just left them and went with bell. They overbilled me all the time, and customer service sucks imo...stay away from them. all my freinds have had the same problems

[sniperc151]

Pretty sure koodo is owned by telus

[CSLT]

I just went with a prepaid cell phone from Petro Canada (very similar to what 7-11 has) and so far am very happy with it! I don't use it a lot, so a monthly plan would have just been wasting money for me.

[cheapskate101]

Pretty sure koodo is owned by telus

yes they are owned my telus.

[sarajk]

DH had pay as you go from Virgin till recent. Customer service USE to be great.
We shopped around for something basic since he doesn't use it a lot, the best deal we found at the beginning of the month was at Costco.

We went with Fido.
The $35 activation fee was wavied
If he signed a 2 year contract the phone he picked was $29 and came with a free car charger. (normally $25). AND $100 costco gc that could be used to pay the $29 for the phone. So $71 to buy other stuff at costco!
His plan is $20 a month, this includes:
50 minutes a month
50 texts, free incoming texts
Free evenings (after 7)
and free weekends.

[iloveluca]

Just say NO to contracts, that's my advice. I got a killer deal on a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone this weekend at Futureshop! It's a Samsung Link for $79.99 and comes with a free Bluetooth headset ($60 value, so it says) AND a $50 activation credit! So essentially, the phone only cost $29.99. I love it and am very happy with it. If your husband just wants a phone to use "here and there" I highly recommend this deal!

The nice thing about most prepaid plans now, too, is that if you buy a $100 phone card, it doesn't expire for 365 days! And if you still have money on the card close to the expiry, the balance carries over when you top up. Virgin Mobile will also give you a 10% bonus if you sign up for automatic top up (you choose the amount and time it happens). Go to virginmobile.ca to look at the rates.

I myself text more than talk, so I chose the pay $.30 per minute for talk and got a package of 30 texts for $3 (incoming texts are FREE).. but they have a lot of choices to suit different needs.

[kt_9333]

Just say NO to contracts, that's my advice. I got a killer deal on a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone this weekend at Futureshop! It's a Samsung Link for $79.99 and comes with a free Bluetooth headset ($60 value, so it says) AND a $50 activation credit! So essentially, the phone only cost $29.99. I love it and am very happy with it. If your husband just wants a phone to use "here and there" I highly recommend this deal!

The nice thing about most prepaid plans now, too, is that if you buy a $100 phone card, it doesn't expire for 365 days! And if you still have money on the card close to the expiry, the balance carries over when you top up. Virgin Mobile will also give you a 10% bonus if you sign up for automatic top up (you choose the amount and time it happens). Go to virginmobile.ca to look at the rates.

I myself text more than talk, so I chose the pay $.30 per minute for talk and got a package of 30 texts for $3 (incoming texts are FREE).. but they have a lot of choices to suit different needs.

thanks for the info... im starting to think this is the way to go- 365 is a long time to use 100 dollars!
thanks to everyone for the input

[greentires4me]

I definitely say go with Fido....with paying your bill on time you get Fido dollars you can use that towards your bill or towards getting a new phone or new accessories.

I have Rogers but I have no contract after the 1st year contract ran out I never refreshed it.

Being in a contract they do not tell you the hidden costs of anything. When you get a phone through them or any phone company most of your plan is sucked into paying for the phone. The plans don't make sense most of the add on things most people do not need. If you can create a plan for yourself most companies want you to lock yourself in their select plans but you can take away or add other things in their place. Like if you make lots of texts get a plan that covers lots of texts. If you do lots of long distance calling get a plan that will cover the long distance. If you want to know who is calling get caller ID but do note that iPhones it does not tell you who is calling except the number that is calling you. If you cannot leave home without your computer get a blackberry yet do note that if can live without your computer the data plans will suck you dry and you go over that data plan it does cost a hefty cost in $$$.

I guess some people decide phone first then company second plan third. Yet you could always try to buy the phone out right unlocked that is...that way you have choice if you don't like that company you still have a phone to be able to go with another company.

But whatever he goes with make sure its right for him and if he don't love it he may never love it.

PS don't forget the Bluetooth headset....for hands free driving...