Some questions about TF/N10.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-11-2012, 05:12 PM

Recently got rid of my Verizon contract and started looking at services like Tracfone and Net10 because I hardly ever used my phone for calls, mostly for texting. There's been plenty of days where I didn't even turn the thing on because I'm at a desk most of the day and have VoIP/FB/AIM/etc at my disposal.

The TracfoneF R455c with TMFL caught my eye as it seems like a good phone for the price, not to mention the triple minutes which is even more appealing. If I did this I'd imagine the 200min 90day card(600min with TMFL) would closely match my usage. The problem is that I don't really understand this whole unit/minute system and what it means for texting. This option would run me about $100 for the startup and end up at about $13.33/month for airtime which doesn't include promo codes.

Net10 also offers the R455c, although more expensive, and I read somewhere that texting on the Net10 qwerty samsungs is $.03/text rather than $.05/text on all their other phones. With this option I could go with the 900min/90day card and pay around $140 for the whole startup and end up at about $20/month for airtime but have +300 minutes over the TF route. How does texting get charged with this company?

Both seem like decent options and I really like the reviews on the R455c, I just don't know which plan would be better for me so any help would be greatly appreciated. I especially need to know how each company charges for texting since more times than not I'm doing that rather than talking on the phone.

Also, do both companies offer the airtime and service day meter on this phone? That seems like a really nifty feature that I would like to have as I can be very forgetful about such things.

**teck73** · 05-13-2012, 04:52 AM

Just doing some rough math here for TracFone.

If a 200 minute card costs $39.88 at Wal-Mart online. (Not including tax.)
And if TracFone deducts minutes at a rate of 1 unit per minute.
Then Ordinary phone calls should cost around $ .20 per minute.
($39.88 divided by 200 minutes)

On a triple minute phone like the R455C, you would actually get
600 minutes per card, so the cost per minute would be about $ .07 for a phone call.
($39.88 divided by 600 minutes)

So, if a standard SMS text message is charged at a rate of .3 units, (or minutes),
then it should run around $ .02 to send or receive a text.
($ .07 times .3 units)

BTW, if all you do is text, you'd be able to send 2000 texts per card.
(600 minutes divided by .3)

Math isn't my strong suit, and I'm not sure about all my "if's",
so let me know if I messed something up.

**IsLand_BoY** · 05-13-2012, 06:33 AM

Yeah, you need to look at the "per unit" cost. Then text messaging is 1/3 of a unit, and from there you can figure out your costs. Personally, I think TracFone is the better option if you're only using about 200 minutes per month. As the months go by, I'm sure you'll build up a reserve of minutes for the off months that you need a little more minutes.

And yes, both NET10 and TracFone will show your airtime info on the home screen. VERY convenient.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-13-2012, 06:01 PM

With Tracfone, say I buy the 200min/90day card which would be 600min after the TMFL. If I start running short on minutes before my 90 days are up and I buy another card is that time added on top of the remaining service days I still have from the last card?

Example; My 200min/90day runs out of minutes with 30 days of service left. I recharge with a 60min/90day card which puts me back up to 180min after TMFL. Will the new 90day service be added on top of my remaining 30day to make 120days? I'll probably only keep re-upping with the 200min/90day card, I'm just trying to better understand how this company's rates work.

Tek73, I'm gonna go ahead and trust you because math isn't my strong suit either.

**annepani** · 05-13-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by johnnyrichter

With Tracfone, say I buy the 200min/90day card which would be 600min after the TMFL. If I start running short on minutes before my 90 days are up and I buy another card is that time added on top of the remaining service days I still have from the last card?

Example; My 200min/90day runs out of minutes with 30 days of service left. I recharge with a 60min/90day card which puts me back up to 180min after TMFL. Will the new 90day service be added on top of my remaining 30day to make 120days?

Yes, you will have 180 mins and 120 days.

**Lisme** · 05-13-2012, 06:12 PM

The minutes add to the minutes you already have. Likewise, the days add to the days you already have. The minutes go into one big pot, so the cost per minute (if you are into such things) will be an average.

Don't forget about bonus codes when you add airtime.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-13-2012, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Lisme

The minutes add to the minutes you already have. Likewise, the days add to the days you already have. The minutes go into one big pot, so the cost per minute (if you are into such things) will be an average.

Don't forget about bonus codes when you add airtime.

I also have that promo code website mentioned in the FAQ sticky bookmarked. Just gotta remember to use a code every time I buy a card. A free 20 minutes or so every purchase isn't much, but it's better than no free minutes. :P

**Lisme** · 05-13-2012, 06:25 PM

PrePrepaid.com is the best for promo/bonus codes.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-13-2012, 06:28 PM

Would there happen to be any current promo codes for phone purchases? I've looked around and can't seem to find any.

**Lisme** · 05-13-2012, 08:03 PM

Nothing like the airtime codes. But you can go to cashbackmonitor.com and do a search for Tracfone. Then see what the cashback sites have. If you need help with this, let us know. But be aware that the cashback rebates are for just a few phones in the clearance center, so to speak.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-13-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Lisme

Nothing like the airtime codes. But you can go to cashbackmonitor.com and do a search for Tracfone. Then see what the cashback sites have. If you need help with this, let us know. But be aware that the cashback rebates are for just a few phones in the clearance center, so to speak.

Looks like fatwallet members get 15% cash back with the "Free overnight shipping on any purchase" coupon deal. Not sure if I want to become a "verified member" on a site I've never heard of, though.

**Lisme** · 05-13-2012, 08:21 PM

I have used FatWallet, BigCrumbs, and Ebates. They are all on the level.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-14-2012, 12:13 PM

I'm now leaning towards getting the LG800g since my last phone was an LG touchscreen and I did like it. Does it seem to be liked as much as the Samsung r455c?

**Lisme** · 05-14-2012, 12:58 PM

The screen on the LG800G doesn't stay available (it locks) for input during calls, like if you have to enter a bank code or password or something. This is a very bad problem, because you have to constantly unlock the screen and it's just unworkable.

I don't know much about the Samsung. Be aware that one phone is GSM and the other is CDMA.

**johnnyrichter** · 05-14-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Lisme

The screen on the LG800G doesn't stay available (it locks) for input during calls, like if you have to enter a bank code or password or something. This is a very bad problem, because you have to constantly unlock the screen and it's just unworkable.

I don't know much about the Samsung. Be aware that one phone is GSM and the other is CDMA.

The R455c is the CDMA phone right? My area definitely has Verizon and US Cellular service. Not really sure about the other companies.