Where to find a cheap cell phone without signing up for a new phone plan - quick?

So my cell phone pretty much no longer functions. Since it's my primary phone line (my only one, really) - and I just mailed out a few more resumes - I can't afford to not have a phone!

It's a flip phone & I have to hold it up when I talk or it closes & ends the call. I also have been having other issues with it - have had it looked it by the phone place & it's a goner.

Problem is my plan isn't up for over a year. There is no way to get a new phone through them without paying full retail price (thanks to Verizon buying out the company I had my plan with). Cheapest phone is $200 (no frills). It won't work for me - not necessarily the no frills - but I know someone who had one & it breaks easily. I'm hard on phones. And I could always cancel, but that'll cost me $200 - and right now I'm pay $10 for my plan + $20 for texting/pics - as I'm on the same plan as the parental units & sibling. I can't get a new plan for $30 or less a month.

So I'm looking to buy a phone from elsewhere - then have them program that phone with my number, etc (I plan to double check prior to purchasing a phone to ensure this is possible). I figure I have less than a week for this phone to survive given how bad it is.

I can't change my number (several places I've applied at are quite willing to hire me the next opening they have - however - the contact number they have is my cell phone). Not doing a TracPhone or pay by the minutes type thing (would have to change my number & would cost me more than $30/month).

I'd love an iPhone, or Blackberry, something cool - but I'm willing to settle for something sturdy! Suggestions on where to look?

best bet is to look on ebay, just be careful and research the seller.

You're not going to get anything even remotely close to an iphone. Without signing up for a contract you'd pay like 400 for one.

Can you buy a cheap Verizon phone that they sell for the prepaid calling plans and then just have someone at a Verizon store activate it as part of your family's plan instead?

Originally Posted by Going Nova

Can you buy a cheap Verizon phone that they sell for the prepaid calling plans and then just have someone at a Verizon store activate it as part of your family's plan instead?

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That's what I'm leaning towards, but I haven't had any luck finding anything cheap locally. I'm in a rural area - I've got Wal Mart, ShopKo, Radio Shack....otherwise I'm looking at $200+ from the store where we have our plan.

Actually. Didn't you say verizon?

You do a lot to help the cat community. I've got something I think i can do for you. I might have a phone you can have free. It's a Treo 750 running windows mobile. great phone, I just don't need it anymore. it's not a flip phone, here's a pic.

I have all the 'stuff'. including extra battery, belt clip, blah blah. it's got a camera, and full internet functions. In fact you can use it for email too. since it's running windows mobile.

If i can dig it up today I'll follow up. All you'd need I THINK is to call and re-program it to your number.

It's a great phone. still sells for about 150.00 bucks used.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PALM-TREO-75...3%3A1|294%3A50

let me see what I can find.

Actually she would just need to insert her SIM card in it, since both of you are on Verizon... No need to program anything.

There's no SIM in the phone. It's a Verizon phone.

The easiest thing to do is set up her current phone so that it only answers when she punches a button and hangs up the same way, removing the "close on closing."

I think so, anyway...

No, the whole phone is toast. It's not just that the "flip" is broken, but I get tons of static when I talk on it (on my end & on others - sometimes). I rarely actually get a phone call when someone calls, but I'll get the voicemail (the phone doesn't ring).

Sounds like it's time to for a new phone. If you can find one (I'd check eBay) that is the same provider and uses a SIM card it should be as simple as switching the card out of your phone and into the new one. DH and I have the same carrier and when I get bored with my phone I'll move my SIM to his old phone and vice-versa. Of course, I also plan on getting myself a refurbished iPhone this summer as I need a new phone and that would uncomplicate my life (and my purse) greatly!

Ummm....what's a SIM card?

A SIM card is a card that holds your ID, can hold your address book, etc. On ATT, all you have to do is pull out the SIM card in one phone and put it in another, and that phone is now your phone. Then you can transfer in your address book, etc.

I bought Dottie a phone on e-bay when hers quit. I think I paid less than $40, including shipping.

well I found the treo and all the trimmings. if you want it, you pay shipping and it's yours.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Ummm....what's a SIM card?

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It's a small plastic card (about the size of your thumb to the first joint) with metal contacts on it that is usually found in the phone behind the battery. It usually also has the provider's name or logo on it.

Originally Posted by fastnoc

well I found the treo and all the trimmings. if you want it, you pay shipping and it's yours.

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Are you sure the Treo doesn't tak a SIM card? If it does (heck, even if it doesn't) this is a fantastic deal! If it doesn't, Natalie, all you would need to do is take your old phone and this "new" phone to your provider and tell then you need your number transferred. They may or may not be able to transfer things like your contacts but you run that risk any time you switch phones.

No it doesn't use a SIM. Verizon phones all you have to do is put them in programming mode, call the automated number after putting the ESN in your account, and it will automatically program the phone for you.

Verizon and Cricket DO NOT use SIM cards in any of their phones ...

Originally Posted by fastnoc

No it doesn't use a SIM. Verizon phones all you have to do is put them in programming mode, call the automated number after putting the ESN in your account, and it will automatically program the phone for you.

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Originally Posted by sharky

Verizon and Cricket DO NOT use SIM cards in any of their phones ...

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Well, I learned something new today!

Originally Posted by twstychik

Well, I learned something new today!

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I thought all phones had SIM cards too until I went to Verizon a couple years ago.

I was pretty sure i was right when I started talking about the SIM earlier, but didn't want to look dumb so i just mentioned it

Originally Posted by fastnoc

There's no SIM in the phone. It's a Verizon phone.

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Are you sure? The Palm Treos are SIM Card phones. The fact that is Verizon makes it easier to work with another SIM from Verizon - you don't need to have the phone unlocked. If you want to use the SIM from another server, like T-Mobile, for example, then you need to unlock the phone, which makes it more complicated.

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Are you sure? The Palm Treos are SIM Card phones. The fact that is Verizon makes it easier to work with another SIM from Verizon - you don't need to have the phone unlocked. If you want to use the SIM from another server, like T-Mobile, for example, then you need to unlock the phone, which makes it more complicated.
But I am pretty certain that the Palm Treo is a SIM card phone. 99.9% sure of it.

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NO verizon phones have sims .. YES they have the slot for one but Verizon does not use sims on any PHONE it has ...