Does anyone here use Virgin Mobile?

[Catch22Dem]

I'm curious about their "pay as you go" service. I just thought I'd see if any of you are using it, and what you think of it.

My Cingular contract is up. Do I really wanna go for another 2 years paying for a phone I almost never use?

[Don_G]

1. I Like It

It's built on the Sprint backbone and the coverage is the same.

I think $20 is the minimum amount to top up the account and it's good for up to 2 months I think.

No roaming charges and the Customer Service is excellent.

[Catch22Dem]

2. That's the kind of info I was looking for

According to their site, it's good for 3 months though.

Thanks!

[boobooday]

3. No I drive a regular car

Since I don't qualify for a "Virgin Mobile."

Sorry, I couldn't resist . . .

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. Interesting... I was looking at the WalMart thing for pay-as-you-go

It seems like a good deal too. Anyone know anything about that?

[FloridaJudy]

14. If that's a "trac-fone"

I have one. It meets my needs perfectly, since I only use it for emergencies and checking in to work (it includes the World's Loudest Alarm Clock, which is great, since I'm NOT a morning person). I think I paid a total of $80 for the phone and 400 minutes, and I've still got over 300 minutes left two months later. It sure beat taking out a two-year contract at $40 a month, and that's before they hit you with the extra charges.

I did the math: that "free" phone those other guys were offering was no bargain!

[1monster]

5. I bought one for my stepson and it is great for him.

They charge 25 cents per minute for the first ten minutes each day, then 10 cents per minute for the rest of the day. (Some of the other pay as you go cell phones charge as much as 45 cents per minute all the time.)

The reception is great and there are all kinds of neat things you can download from the Internet (ringtone to games, etc.)

I have thought about trading in my AT&T standard cell phone, but at this point, I don't want the hassle of switching as I'm no longer under contract.

[BlondieK143]

6. It has great service and is a good deal IF

you don't use it too often. The first ten minutes of everyday, you are charged $.25. For every minute after that, it's $.10. Text messages are $.10 as well. If you only use your cell phone for emergencies and short conversations, it's a great option. However, if you're like me and have a tendency to talk too much on one, you'll be spending anywhere from $40-$80 a month.

I've never had a problem with service reception though. In fact, it's great and reached places my U.S. Cellular phone wouldn't. Hope that helped!

[Catch22Dem]

18. Yes, thanks!

I hardly ever use mine, but like the convenience of it from time to time. I think one of these would be great though.

[Gloria]

7. I used up my TracPhone and am switching to

Virgin. I talked to a woman who had it and she said there were no problems with coverage. Then I talked to Virgin and got all the details.

Then I did the math...it literally comes to about 1/2 the cost of TracPhone, even when you add in some of the "free minutes" they offer.

My VERY OLD TracPhone is still working, but batteries are no longer available for it. So I decided when my minutes were used up that it would be the time to switch.

[AbbeyRoad]

8. I have a Virgin Mobile phone

I've had no problems with it. Like someone mentioned before it's probably best if you're going to use it for emergency calls and short conversations. I try to limit my cell phone usage cause I don't have the extra money to spend on the phone, and also cause I'd rather spend my extra money on other fun things. :)

You can top up your phone in increments of $20 dollars. You can either buy the top up cards at a store or you can register your credit card at the Virgin Mobile website and top up directly from you phone by entering a password. I go the credit card route cause it's more convenient. I think if you don't top up every 90 days or so you run the risk of losing your number, but that's a pretty decent grace period. Reception is good in almost all places.

You can download ringtones from the Virgin website. Right now mine is Weezer's "Undone: The Sweater Song." Unfortunately, I have one of the older phone models, but I like that new Slider.

[GingerSnaps]

9. My cell phone bill went $660.00 for 4 daytime calls from a friend

I told the friend that I was going to get a huge bill from the day time calls but I never realized that it would be that big.

My friend that called me has Virgin Mobile and now I am without a cell phone.

Let us know how Virgin Mobile works out because I have to find a new carrier.

[CanuckAmok]

13. Holy crap...was he calling from Neptune?!

Geez, that's a spicy meatball!

[GingerSnaps]

15. USA

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. I just got one yesterday as a matter of fact

It's my second one, after I smashed the first one in a bit of rage.

Why was I enraged?

Because I wasn't aware that if you don't top-up your card every 90 days your service gets shut off, you can't top up again, and you have to buy a new phone.

So that's what I did. I got a $59 phone (the cheapest one they have) at Best Buy and a $20 top up card.

I only use it for emergencies anyway. I'm not in love with cell phones so I'd say as long as you remember to top up every 90 days, you'll like the phone.

Oh, I also found out it has a tip calculator, which is tres cool. :)

[AbbeyRoad]

11. That's weird

I took more than 90 days to top up once when I was running low on cash, and I was stressed when I found I couldn't top up directly from my phone like I usually do. I was desparate to find a simple solution so I went to the Virgin website and topped up from there and my phone's been working normally since.

Anyway I was under the impression that the only thing you'll lose is your phone number, but that you can reregister your phone under a new number if it comes to that.

[GingerSnaps]

12. That's nice to know

My friend that helped me run up me cell phone bill offered to give me his old virgin mobile phone. I guess that is why he offered it to me because he knows that it will never work.

[Catch22Dem]

19. I can always get a Wizzard Computer for tips?

Seinfeld. :) 'cept those were Willard Computers weren't they?

[electricmonk]

16. I've had mine for a year and a half now

Very happy with it. Used to have Suncom but I had a bad case of bill creep. Started out paying about $33 after taxes but without making a single change it slowly grew to $44 a month. With the amount I used it I figured out that Virgin's was way cheaper per minute.

As a nice bonus I have William Shatner answering my phone for me.

[peacebuzzard]

17. I don't think I will back any company involved w/ Branson,

Richard. That individual is seething w/ greed.

I will continue to use the multinational global giants of greed that already make profits and losses a plaything. AT&T is my current debtor. (they love me). I am impressed with their service, don't know how to use the email and WAP yet, but I hope to by the end of this week. (new service--also has camera, video and full keyboard--free $300 phone w/ 2 yr contract)

[Exultant Democracy]

20. How many minutes do you use a month?

Depending on the amount you use your phone there are a variety of different plans. Lets say you use your phone just a little bit and more on the weekends, the best basic emergency plan is with t-mobile for 19.99, if you use more minutes Att tends to have the best plans, if you use less then30 minutes a month you can probably get cingular to drop your plan to a zero minute plan or a $19 plan with 45 included minutes that way you don't have to buy a new phone.

If I was you I would avoid going the pre pay or py as you go lans because first of all you would have to dish out cas for a new phone and second of all they really are a rip off.

[Catch22Dem]

21. How are they a rip off?

First of all, I want a new phone. I'm a gadget guy, so it's time I get a new one anyway. ;)

Based on the .25/min for 10 mins then .10 for every minute after thing, I could easily get by with about $10/month or less. That's how often I use my phone. I think I'm averaging between 10-20 minutes/month.