Which Prepay?

[monteu]

I am leaving Verizon as soon as my contract is up. Just a basic phone now, but I will be changing to a Droid X or X2. I think I will go with Page Plus because of the strong Verizon coverage whereever I go. I keep hearing about Tracfone, Straighttalk, and Net 10. I think they all work on the Verizon network. Which is the best overall customer experience. Yes pricing is important too me, but also customer service is something I value. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

[janerblue]

I have used Straighttalk and PagePlus and didn't have any issues with either of their customer services representatives. I chose PapePlus because I was able to bring my own phone and the particular plan I am using.

[1cewolf]

Stay far, far away from Straight Talk if you value customer service. I've seen way too many complaints about them to recommend them to anyone.

I switched to Page Plus right after leaving Verizon, and my overall experience was very positive. Their customer service reps are in the U.S. and you still get Verizon's great coverage.

[Volaris]

If you want to bring your own smartphone, Straight Talk and Page Plus are two good choices given their included data amount (up to 2GB). Page Plus runs on Verizon and costs $55/month and Straight Talk runs on either AT&T or T-Mobile (depending which SIM card you choose - both include roaming like regular contract customers) and costs $45/month.

I've been on Straight Talk/AT&T with an iPhone 4 for over a year and haven't had any issues.

[TheU]

I agree with Wolf stay far far away from Straight Talk. I had straight talk prepaid for 1 day. Their CS was terrible and they almost lost my ported # that I had for years. They also sold me a phone that was previously activated so I couldnt get any incoming or outgoing calls till I returned it for a new one which they wanted me to pay return shipping and shipping of the new phone even though it was their mistake. I decided to immediately port out and thats when they tried to screw me on my number. I have heard many horror stories about straight talk doing things like this and people losing their numbers.

[Pabster]

Page Plus has USA customer service, and Verizon coverage. Those are two big pluses. They do have some downsides, chiefly the absurd data rates on anything but "The 55" (their top-tier plan @ $55 per month). If you are planning on the $50-$60 range then it will be fine. The only thing to be aware of is Page Plus still charges for "roaming" and the rate varies by plan. Verizon native coverage is very strong but there are pockets where you would be "Roaming" so be sure and verify coverage first.

Straight Talk has horrific customer service, mostly overseas, and they play fast and loose with "unlimited" particularly on the data side of things. As well, they have no problem pulling the plug on you and not providing any refunds whatsoever.

As far as your phone number -- if you truly value it -- I don't recommend porting it to ANY of these prepaid providers. Use Google Voice or something similar instead. Why take a chance?

[HF305]

Page Plus has been in business longer than Google has. Just saying.

[Pabster]

Page Plus has been in business longer than Google has. Just saying.

I realize that and I'm not saying Page is unreliable or untrustworthy. I just see too many people losing numbers which could have easily been avoided by not porting in to a prepaid service in the first place. Same advice for any other prepaid IMHO. Just doesn't make sense if the number is that valuable to you.