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Bus Nut
01-04-10, 11:51
1) Always have a second phone.

2) Do not use a second line on your primary account for this purpose.

3) Do not sign up with the same or a different cell company for a line with a contract.

4) Never purchase your phone or minute cards at a location you stop in with your significant other. It's happened to a friend who could not explain why the clerk asked him if he needed minutes for his prepaid phone!

5) ALWAYS PAY CASH FOR THE PHONE AND THE MINUTE CARDS! No need to leave your credit or debit card on the store's computer.

Although you can get a phone for FREE from the carriers, who wants to be locked into a minimum of $30.00 a month? And with a bill that has to go somewhere and with your call data on it for prying eyes? Not to mention your name and other information. Significant others. friends, enemies...no, you don't need a paper trail, and if it gets lost or stolen, it's no fun.

Instead, get a prepaid phone. Try a 7-11 or a Circle K first. Also some liquor stores. Some of them have phones you can buy over the counter that are already activated and have a number assigned. This is an optimum situation.

If you can't find one at a convenience store then head for WalMart or Target or whatever store you prefer. I prefer WalMart and out of the area I usually shop in. Pay cash for the phone and go from there.

As of the last time I checked, Net 10 and Tracfone could easily be set up using an automated system from another phone. Pay phones are getting harder to find, but not impossible, hotels have lobby courtesy phones as well in many cases that allow you to call the toll free number to set one up.

YOU WILL NEED IN ALL CASES: the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) for the phone. Read the directions that come with the phone about how to set it up.

Boost Mobile and Virgin can be set up on the web, and there are many places that have free public access to the internet and even free terminals. Or you can pay for 15 minutes in a cafe or whatever. YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE AN EMAIL ADDRESS since the system needs to send you the programming detail, you can use yahoo, Gmail or many others. Yes it wants a nme and such, but just BS the system or pick some schmoes name out of phone book and enter it in. Use this new, not linked to you address for whatever you wish. If it gets too heavy, just walk away from it.

6) ALWAYS have minutes on the phone so you can contact your favorite providers and they can contact you.

7) All phones can be traced when on and in use. Keep your calls short and turn off the phone when not in use. Only the Federal Government has the time and resources to track the phone in real time, and unless you are wanted for some major crime I don't think the local yokels are going to bother setting up with the carrier to bother with you.

8) Keep your eyes open for good prices on prepaid cell phones. I always have a couple in the trunk of the car, already activated. I prefer Virgin or Boost (the cost to keep them active is $20 every three months) and if I meet a provider without a phone, then I can offer her one. Free. She can show her appreciation to you in a lot of ways. I have gotten significant upgrades and even services just for the phone itself.

9) Finally, NEVER let a provider use your phone. Most likely she is calling someone you would rather not be linked up with. You don't need her using her phone to make arrangements for a butter/candy purchase!

Happy and SAfe Mongering!

Bus Nut

Member #3991
01-23-10, 11:31
Busnut - that is a great and informative post. One of the reason I have stuck exclusively to established MP's is to avoid phone usage. What is the cost of the basic phone for Virgin and do they come pre-loaded with some number of minutes?

Fbtom
01-23-10, 13:48
Good tips! Thanks.

Member #3991
02-12-10, 19:52
Thanks again for the report! I had thought about getting another line but didn't until I read your report. It just makes it all so much easier and the cost these days is so low that to not get one is a mistake. Ten years ago who would have thought cell phones would be disposable items?

Jbond888
02-16-10, 00:46
Great info BN.

Unless you are single without SO, it definitely makes sense to have a hobbyphone. Actually if you hobby, you might as well have a hobbyphone for all the good reasons.

Member #3991
04-07-10, 22:04
Great info BN.

Unless you are single without SO, it definitely makes sense to have a hobbyphone. Actually if you hobby, you might as well have a hobbyphone for all the good reasons.

I would recommend an extra phone regardless of whether or not I had a SO. It just makes sense to compartmentalize these calls on many levels. Do you really want many providers running around with your number in their phone? I'll bet the vast majority of providers keep separate lines as well.

If you can afford to hobby, you can afford an extra phone. I bought a phone and enough minutes for 6 months of service for about the price of a standard HJ tip. How can anyone say no to this type of deal? I remember one hobbyist, can't think of who it was, that keeps several activitated in his trunk and sometimes gives them away to SW as gifts/tips.

I can't imagine how stupid I was for not getting a phone as soon as I discovered this hobby.

Socalkain
04-13-10, 03:06
What do you guys think about using Google Voice for your hobby number? Providers only know the GV number, keeping your real number seperate. Anyone see issues with that?

AsianFan
04-18-10, 07:57
What do you guys think about using Google Voice for your hobby number? Providers only know the GV number, keeping your real number seperate. Anyone see issues with that?

So only Google has a record of your real number, and of course they'd never share that info with anyone, right? Stop being lazy and cheap, just get a hobby phone, only leave it turned on when you are wanting to contact a provider or are expecting a return call. That way you don't accidentally answer that GV number when you shouldn't, like when you are standing next to your SO.

AF

Member #3991
04-19-10, 23:34
So only Google has a record of your real number, and of course they'd never share that info with anyone, right? Stop being lazy and cheap, just get a hobby phone, only leave it turned on when you are wanting to contact a provider or are expecting a return call. That way you don't accidentally answer that GV number when you shouldn't, like when you are standing next to your SO.

AF

Totally agree with this perspective. While Google's stated corporate policy is to not be evil I just think the risks of not having a hobby phone are just too high. You never know what happens to those records.

http://www.google.com/corporate/tenthings.html

Bus Nut
05-03-10, 11:53
I don't think I would use any of them for hobby work. As someone said, you never know what information might be out there.

Besides, as I said before, hobby phones are so cheap nowadays you can afford to have a backup or two in your trunk.

Bus Nut

Mondo72
01-29-16, 05:40
Hey fellow mongers.

I usually buy a 60 minute card from Tracfone every 90 days since this 60 minutes triples in both calls and texts and it usually is enough since I only use it to call / text providers.

I've been doing this for years now, just before the 90 days are up I buy a new card to keep the phone active.

Well yesterday I went into a CVS and handed a Jackson to the cashier and she counters with "sir it's $23.97!

I asked her why since it's usually $19.99 and she tells me they now charge an ACTIVATION FEE! WTF.

I remember some years ago someone wrote a book about how we are being "nickle & dime to death" or something similar, this came back immediately to remind me how true that book meaning was.

This happens in all spheres of our daily life in products we buy in supermarkets, usually the manufacturer lowers the weight and keep the package looking as before.

Anyway, thought I let all you fellow mongers about this RIPOFF being perpetrated on all of us hobby phones users.

Mondo.

P.S. I know, this is part rant but a 20% jack in the price if pure ripoff, and yes $3. 98 is not going to break any of us who spend quite a bit on the ladies, it's just the fact of feeling ripped off.

The Tall Man
01-29-16, 16:20
Hey fellow mongers.

I usually buy a 60 minute card from Tracfone every 90 days since this 60 minutes triples in both calls and texts and it usually is enough since I only use it to call / text providers.

I've been doing this for years now, just before the 90 days are up I buy a new card to keep the phone active.

Well yesterday I went into a CVS and handed a Jackson to the cashier and she counters with "sir it's $23.97!

I asked her why since it's usually $19.99 and she tells me they now charge an ACTIVATION FEE! WTF.

I remember some years ago someone wrote a book about how we are being "nickle & dime to death" or something similar, this came back immediately to remind me how true that book meaning was.

This happens in all spheres of our daily life in products we buy in supermarkets, usually the manufacturer lowers the weight and keep the package looking as before.

Anyway, thought I let all you fellow mongers about this RIPOFF being perpetrated on all of us hobby phones users.

Mondo.

P.S. I know, this is part rant but a 20% jack in the price if pure ripoff, and yes $3. 98 is not going to break any of us who spend quite a bit on the ladies, it's just the fact of feeling ripped off.I do and have done the same for years. Looks like we need to look at a one year card if the activation fee is the same $23.97.

The Tall Man.

DrPornDawger
09-04-20, 19:49
I use Textnow.

Any other apps out there?

Why use another phone?

Lift Her Up
09-22-20, 01:23
I do and have done the same for years. Looks like we need to look at a one year card if the activation fee is the same $23.97.

The Tall Man.As of early this month, Target didn't charge me an activation fee.

Lift Her Up.

Currymonster
11-15-20, 04:45
I use Textnow.

Any other apps out there?

Why use another phone?I believe there are some similar apps too. Just need to follow the same rules about turning off notifications / everything when you don't want that phone "on".

Alkalinedio
11-15-20, 08:59
I use burner app = you download from any smartphone app store.

About 5 $ / month unlimited text / calls.

You can create any area code number you wish and burnit on the drop of a dime if you get any drama its that simple'.

Stay safe.

AD.


I believe there are some similar apps too. Just need to follow the same rules about turning off notifications / everything when you don't want that phone "on".

Brock Laser
12-14-20, 00:51
Not a bad idea to use a VPN while using texting apps.

LindaSexy
12-28-20, 20:42
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Bob521
10-15-21, 02:12
Having a burner can't get you in huge trouble if your wife finds it or hears it.

I use WeChat, on my phone in a hidden folder. Its free. Works great if your friends are Chinese. You can also block anyone you no longer want to have access to you.


I use Textnow.

Any other apps out there?

Why use another phone?