TracFone also offers a Service Protection Plan. When your service period expires, they'll charge you $5.99 (plus tax, mine comes out to $6.43) for an extra 30 days. You don't get any additional minutes, but your existing minutes roll over. It works out to more minutes than the 365-day service cards.
From the options I see currently on their site, $15 for a 30-day card gives 500 minutes (plus 500 texts and 500 mb data). One of those plus 12 x $5.99 to stretch it out the full 365 days comes out to $80.89/year (plus tax, probably more like $95 total).
It's usually easy to find doubling specials online (so a card that says it's 30 minutes really gives you another 60) if you run low. Or you can just buy a refill from the options on their website. Since that will extend your service end date, the protection plan won't kick in that month and you won't be charged.
I believe you have to call (or chat via their website) to get the Service Protection Plan set up -- and make sure the customer service rep understands you're not talking about device protection (insurance) or an auto-renew plan -- but once it's set, it just kicks in when needed and you never have to think about it. I've used this for years. Periodically I'll buy an extra $1000 texts or something, but I've averaged under $7/month for all the usage I need for years.
Lynda.
-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Debbie Krahmer
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 1:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Cell phone conundrum
Oh, wait, I think I know what happened now. When you buy minutes with tracfone, you only get 90 days to use it (or 30 days, depending on the refill<https://www.tracfone.com/phone-service-plans>). So it's not about running out of minutes, it's running out of "time" of service.
From the site: "A service period is the period of time in which your service plan is active. When the service period ends, you will not have access to calls, texts or data."
It looks like the cheapest 90 day service is $45 ($15 a month), and the cheapest 365 day service is $125<https://www.tracfone.com/plans/smartphone-full-year-plan-1500-minutes> (one-time fee of about 10$ a month).
Thanks,
D.
--
Debbie Krahmer
No pronouns/Debbie or D
Diversity and Inclusion Research Librarian
Catherwood Library
239A Ives Hall
607-254-5257
[log in to unmask]
Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation).
________________________________
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of charles meyer <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 1:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Cell phone conundrum
My esteemed listmates,
I beg your indulgences on this one.
There are more than just one of our patrons who live on Social Security
alone, dare I use the 4 letter word .... poor?
They've been using a Tracfone from HSN for $60 for 1,500 minutes. After
just 3-4 months they tied to make a cal and Straight Talk popped up on
their phone. She didn't subscribe to Straight Talk.
They did the 611611 and were told they had no minutes left. They don't
spend much on their phone. Thye do not watch moves or TV shows.
Just make a call to their Dr or bank.
They then bought 100 more minutes from Tracfone in May but now August 15ht
she's depleted her phone call time again.
Tracfone will not tell you how your minutes were consumed so she's
perplexed.
She can't afford $20-30 a month for Consumer Cellular.
Is it possible some hacker is hacking away her minutes?
I've been Googling this and reddit is replete with many complaints re: poor
people trying to just get, keep and use a simple cell to make just a few
calls.
Her SS is too mcuh for her to qualify for a Federal Golv't free phone.
I've joined cell phone forums for suggestions but just get the answer -
get Consumer Cellular for $20-30/mo.
Has anyone found an online forum for people without means to find basic
phone service or maybe you;ce come across any article or blogs?
I so appreciate your help.
Charles.
Charlotte County Public Library
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