Android simple burner answer
For android users such as myself the easiest way for me is to download a text app such as "text now" assign a number for free, watch stupid advertisement videos, and when I don't want contact just disable the app in settings. All 100% free, nobody is able to contact me when the app is disabled, and I don't need multiple phones. Imo, best solution. Being a free option, gives me more $$ to enjoy the hobby, and it isn't intrusive when I don't want it to be.
[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2207518]For those a bit tech challenged, let me chime in here. A burner phone is fine, but here are your other options, particularly if you use an iphone with IOS7.
-If you decide to use your own phone number for contact and don't want the girl contacting you after you do business, in IOS7, you can block all SMS and phone contact with her, just go to your phone app, contact list, scroll to bottom and touch "block contact". Yes, she could use another number to call you. But are they going to do that? YOu can block any number that calls you.
-Google voice: You pick whatever number (any area code, etc) in the USA to use. YOu can change your google voice number whenever you want to for free. Calls are free. IN addition, when you make a call, your real google voice number won't show up on the phone you are calling. A different number will show up. So your phone number is hidden when you make calls. YOu can call and use SMS with google voice.
-Burner: iPhone has an app called BURNER. Basically it allows you to purchase online a phone number which is active for a limited time period. Or you can use the number and then "burn" it. Relatively cheap and useful. You can call and use SMS with this.
-Skype: if you have a skype account and you buy skype minutes, you can make calls to anyone using your skype app (on your phone). And the number which appears on the other person's phone is de-identified. The one problem is that it is difficult for the other person to respond to an SMS you might send, so its good for voice only.
Having gotten a trac phone in the past, the company turned out to be a big PITA, calling with deals, sending mail to the house, emails, etc. So I prefer to use one of the above options.
GG.[/QUOTE]