I have never had a cellphone before. Yes, 2quilt is finally ready to join the rest of modern technological society. I know absolutely nothing about cellphones, so I need your help, advice, warnings, tips, comments.
A friend told me that there is a $30US a month plan for 2 years that I can get if I know someone who works for Sprint that comes with free nights, weekends, a free phone and other things. That is supposed to be a good deal, and that is the deal I want.
So please tell me what this innocent needs to know, please. Thanks in advance!

Personally... I junked my cell. Just too much pressure being available when trying to do things. I really do not like them at all but are handy in emergencies.

From the surprise charges to my contract being automatically renewed on me and them trying to hold me to it when I tried to cancel and crazy charges for canceling I just think are evil! I mean the shit I signed I lived up to, the extra time periods I did not sign anything so how can they hold me to a third year or what ever when I signed for only two? Watch for that bull shit. You faithfully pay your bill beyond your contract and when you try to cancel for a different plan they still try to charge hundreds of dollars as if you canceled during the contract period.

Anyway, I really like the pay as you go phones. My son bought a phone for prepay. He goes and spends cash on a calling card and when his minutes are up they are up. No surprises on a bill. Matter of fact no bill so no really crappy customer service! When I have had to drive far alone he has loaned me his phone for emergencies since we are way out in the sticks. I just kept it off and never needed it.

Also, just because they say an area has coverage (you get a signal) does not mean you will. You only learn once you are out there with a phone. I did this back in Texas, I had to get a new phone as I got no service at my new house. I got hooked up with who was supposed to have it good there. Come to find out it was only good on a portion of my deck outside. Not exactly convenient. My ex was not supposed to really have a signal there and his worked great! If you are in a city this is probably not an issue.

I just gave up on them and stick with the old fashioned land line, if I ever decide to go back to a cell I will certainly get one like my son pre-paying.

A Prepaid cell phone is the only way to go, and they are inexpensive. Mine was $39.99 and I've seen them on sale for even less. They can also come with special offers, if you keep your eyes on the sale ads every weekend and be patient. If you hit hard times and can't buy anymore minutes when needed---no biggie---phone gets turned off and when you are able simply buy more minutes. I love mine! Forgot to buy more minutes once and the phone did not work. Purchased more minutes and like magic it worked. I highly recommend prepaid cell phones.

Stay away from Tracfone. They mail you a broken reconditioned piece of doodoo, then you have to pay to send it back to them, they send you another broken one to replace it, and the sequence repeats.they hire only liars. There is even a webpage devoted to horror stories of tracfone users and ex-employees who have stories to tell now that they can speak openly without being fired.

I got a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone and have had no trouble at all and their 1-800 people have always been helpful the 2 times I've needed themover the past 3 years