Tracfone: Wireless Phone
Having a Tracfone wireless phone is great. It is perfect for a person that uses a phone for emergencies. You don’t have to pay a bill.
About two years ago, I had a cell phone. I did not use it much. I just kept it in my car for an emergency. Whenever I would try to use it, I would find that it was cut off, and I would have to go pay the bill to get it cut back on again. It seemed I did not keep my minuets that I did not use. I could not pay the bill with a check through the mail. I had to rush in town to pay it. I hated paying out so much money. The thing that I decided to do was to keep my cell phone off altogether. I didn’t want it any more.
Later, I found out about the Tracfone wireless phone. It is perfect for a person that uses a phone for emergencies. You don’t have to pay a bill. All that you have to pay for is your airtime card and the phone. You add minuets and buy another card when your due date is up which means the last day of your service period. You get to keep the minuets that you did not use. You have to activate your Tracfone phone, and you are assigned a telephone number from your home calling area. When you buy the Tracfone, instructions come with it. You are guided step by step. The instructions are not hard to follow
The Sim Card & Charge Battery
When I first bought my Tracfone, I had to insert a little card called the Sim card. I had to remove the back cover of the phone to insert it. I had to install the battery included, and I had to charge the Tracfone by plugging it into the charger. The charger was included with the phone.
Serial Number
The next thing I had to do was find my Tracfone and Sim serial number during activation. I had to turn on my phone to select Prepaid by pressing the select key. Then I had to scroll down to My IMEI and press select again. Then I found my Tracfone serial number.
To find the SIM serial number I pressed the back key. Then I had to scroll down to the SIM number and the select key. Then I found my SIM number. To return to the menu, I just pressed the back key.
Activating the Phone
To have my Tracfone turned on, I went to the website. I had to enter a series of codes into my phone. I had to put the phone in Code Entry Mode from the Prepaid Menu. You can also call the 1-800 number. It may take up to 24 hours to activate the Tracfone. I made a test call. When my Tracfone rung, I knew it was active and ready to use.
Adding Airtime
After my phone was activated, I had to select Redeem Airtime from the Prepaid Menu. I had to enter my airtime card pin number underneath the gray strip from the back of the airtime card. It was sent directly to my Tracfone, and I was notified by a free text message.
I think having a Tracfone is great. With a Tracfone wireless phone, you can make and receive local, long distance, and roaming calls. You don’t have to worry about credit checks, there is no deposits, no activation fees, and no reactivation fees. I love the Tracfone wireless phone.
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29 Comments
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Jan 13th, 2008
Gail, I use a pay as you go phone, and I love it. I only keep it for emergencies on the road, and to check in with my one-and only. It works perfectly for me.
Jason Lusk, posted this comment on Jan 14th, 2008
Hey, Gail. My phone is a Tracphone, too. I’ve never had a regular cell, and I honestly don’t want one. I generally save my phone for emergencies, though once and a while, I’ll text with my friends. I would add that, for someone who comes from a working-class background – as I have – it’s a good deal; another monthly bill is just out of the question for a lot of people. I thought it was cool that someone would write about this; good article.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Jan 15th, 2008
Hi, Ruby.
Your phone sounds great.
Hi, Jason.
Thanks for your comment on my article. If you have a Tracfone, then you know where I’m coming from.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Jan 15th, 2008
Lucy,
Try the tracfone. It would be good for you in case you break down on the road.
C A Johnson, posted this comment on Jan 18th, 2008
I wish I had a Tracfone too. That sounds like it would be really convenient. Great job with the article!
jon, posted this comment on Feb 6th, 2008
can you just pay with cash to do all this???
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Feb 6th, 2008
Hi, Jon.
You can pay with cash. Just go to Wal-Mart, buy your phone, your airtime card, and Sim card. Each time you buy your card, you just put the airtime pin number into your phone. If you can’t get to the store to get your new card by the due date, just buy it online with a credit card and the info will automatically transfer to your phone from your airtime card online.
Zaida, posted this comment on Aug 29th, 2008
I have an issue with my tracfone. I was messing around with it in the code entry mode; you had to enter a code. I got it wrong three times and now my phone says service disabled. I tried putting in my imei number but nothing happens. What do I do?
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Aug 30th, 2008
Go to http://www.tracfone.com/contact.jsp?task=contact and contact them. They will help you. On the contact page, you’ll have to give them your serial number and telephone number. I’m sure they can check things out in no time.
Laura, posted this comment on Apr 29th, 2009
I have a Motorala Tracfone And I Love it and the great thing is you can use your minutes to get graphics and ringtones. My mom has one too but It doesn’t camera but she loves it if you use your phone a lot i prefer a tracfone
STEPHANIE, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2009
I’ve had many, many different types of cell phones and services over the years. To me, Tracfone makes a very nice phone for an excellent price. Most of their phones are much better made,(have a little weight to them) have a lot better graphics, better sound,etc. BUT, as far as their service goes…they are the WORST!
I live in western NC(approx. 20 mins from Charlotte). I had Suncom(T-mobile now) for close to 10 yrs because, they had the only unlimited voice plan in the area that had an unbeatable price (39 at the time). I used Verizon prepaid, for anywhere other phone services didn’t have a signal. Currently I use Boost Mobile with their $50 mthly, unlimited talk,text, web and walkie-talkie plan and, I qualified for a (SafeLink Wireless; Tracfone) free phone, plus 68 minutes free every month…which I use for emergencies only. I’ve had this Motorola W260g Tracfone from Safelink Wireless for 2 months now and used it for the first time on Thursday, April 30th, 2009. I made 1 call that lasted 2minutes 23 seconds and received 1 call, which lasted 26 seconds. My minutes went from 80 down to 69. How this phone service got 9 minutes out of 3, I have no idea. To me, they are the worst company EVER.
When I first received my new Tracfone, the screen was messed up, so I bought another one for $15 at the Dollar General Store. Just to switch my original number and minutes that were never used, from the messed up Tracfone, to the new Tracfone… I had to speak with over TEN different people…got cut-off three different times, waited a week for a replacement SIM card so I could use the replacement phone that I bought. When I received the replacement SIM and called then to activate it, I was on the phone with them for close to an hour, when finally I was told that it would take up to 72 hours for the phone to work. After 72 hours cam and went, with the phone still not working I called the next day just to be told that they (the company) didn’t do upgrades and that I would have to reapply for another phone. I said, ‘thank you”, hung up and immediately called back, got another person on the phone, a man this time. He gave me 3 or 4 different codes to put in, which gave me 80 minutes and it was fixed! All the other times I called for service, I was on the line with someone I couldn’t understand (their accent was so thick) or they didn’t know what they were doing and the calls lasted between 30 – 45 minutes.
I called them today (5/3/2009) concerning my 2 minutes and 57 seconds call and why they took 11 minutes, instead of 3. I was told that my phones was using the right amount of minutes but that they would give me 5 minutes back (that was the most that they could give). I was also told that if someone called my phone and I didn’t answer it but , the call went to voice mail, that it would take minutes away from my phone too.
I don’t guess I’ll be giving out my Tracfone number to anyone because I won’t get to use it for emergencies if someone uses up my minutes by leaving me a voice mail! I’ve NEVER in my life heard of that. I’m constantly being harassed by email, to buy more minutes just to get a few extra minutes. I have never, ever had a phone that used minutes as fast as this carrier does. I would never pay for this service… the only reason I have it, is because it’s free.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2009
Thanks for sharing your experience, Stephanie. I feel the way you do about a cell phone service I had. They kept cutting off my phone because I didn’t use it enough. I got tired of paying $50 a month. That’s how I ended up with the Tracfone. I understand.
Stephanie, posted this comment on May 10th, 2009
Tracfone is the WORST PHONE SERVICE I’ve ever used! They’re a complete rip-off with their minutes and, I can usually never understand the person from customer service that I’m speaking with. Half of them don’t know what they’re doing and will transfer you two or three times, to speak with someone else you can’t understand.
The minutes disappear like water. I would rather pay $50 a month for a prepaid Boost phone(which their phones are crappy) that has unlimited EVERYTHING. You can wait up to 90 days before paying again without losing your number.
I’ve had my Tracfone for two months now. I used it for the first time on April 30th. and talked a total of 2 mins. and 23 seconds and received a call that lasted 26 secs. I had 80 minutes on my phone to start with and after those two calls , It went from 80 minutes to 69 minutes!? I called Tracfone C/Service and they told me that my phone was taking the right amount of minutes away but, they did give me back 5 minutes….WOW!
Hopefully, know one has too many emergencies that they have to use this phone for because in the long run, you’re going to be spending WAY MORE MONEY to keep minutes on the phone. Besides, you can have any, unactivated cell phone, with NO minutes and still call 911 for FREE! Now that is an emergency.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on May 16th, 2009
I’m not against nothing you say, Stephanie. I believe you. Tracfone is alright with me because I never talk on the phone. I use it as a car phone incase I have trouble on the road. The only problem is if I’m in a bad area, I cannot get my calls to go through. Cell phones do the same thing. If it wasn’t for that, I would cut my house phone off and use a trac or a cell phone.
Elston , posted this comment on May 22nd, 2009
Hello Tracfone customer my name is Elston and I am a Tracfone Employee and I am her to assist anyone that is having a problem with their phones. you can contact me at 1.800.626.4883 ext 6107 or by email elombillo@tracfone.com
anonymous, posted this comment on Jun 7th, 2009
bought a phone with double minutes, added 60 minute card with 20 minute promo code. Didn’t get double minutes nor the 20 minute promo. Called tracfone 4 times, they kept telling me my phone didn’t have the double minutes registered. Got cut off the first 3 times and the 4th time they “escalated” it to someone higher who will give me a call back in 24-48 hours. I think I just got ripped off $35. I wish I never bought this damned thing.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Jun 13th, 2009
There are different kinds of tracfones to choose from. I have a Motorola V170. I never had any problems with it. Maybe some tracfones are better than others. I’m not saying that is all of the problem but that could be some of the problem. I notice that when I am in a bad area, my phone calls don’t go through. It could be a number of reasons why things don’t work.
aidan, posted this comment on Jun 20th, 2009
Can tou tell me if there is a way of getting a statement of the calls made to and from someone when you use a Tracfone, or getting that information on line?
Thank You
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Jun 23rd, 2009
To tell you the truth, Aidan, I don’t think so. I could be wrong. Talk to the Tracfone company. Good luck.
tayler, posted this comment on Jul 15th, 2009
i have a tracfone and me personally luv it. i have the one with a camera. the min double, you can take pictures, and u dont have to waste your money on monthly bills. i luv it, best phone EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Jul 20th, 2009
Hi Tayler! That’s great! Glad it works for you too.
San Peters, posted this comment on Sep 12th, 2009
I am an old lady, computer illiterate but thought I could figure out a simple tracfone. Guess not. It worked fine for a while and then I forgot to charge the battery and had to reset everything after that… I realized no one was able to call me because I didn’t change it from ’silent’ to Alarm or something like that… plus other things I have no idea what they are or how to use it. Now I try to call out and can’t … I keep getting message ‘Check call restrictions -34′ whatever in hell that means. The small 3×4″ booklet I got with the phone does not tell me a thing about what I need to know. I cannot get instruction manual online either. I should just throw this wireless phone away??? help
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Sep 17th, 2009
Don’t feel bad. All I wanted to know was how to insert the sim card, charge the battery, locate my tracfone serial number, activate my phone, and if you don’t use a computer, you can make a test call. If your tracfone rings, it is active and ready for use. Most phones are activated within minutes, however it may take up to 24 hours. Call your Tracfone from a landline phone and know your tracfone number.
Laurie P, posted this comment on Oct 8th, 2009
Anyone with a “Check Call Restrictions 34″ error message should try pulling out the battery, and the sim card, waiting 10 seconds, and putting them both back in. This resets the phone, but not your personal settings such as your phone book and ring settings.
This worked for me after having this error message for 3 full days, unable to get incoming or outgoing calls or messages.
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Oct 18th, 2009
Laurie, that’s good to know.
jason, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
i had check call restrictions -34 ,, go to menu, settings , initial setup, master reset . 1 2 3 4 and this should work. it worked for me
Gail Nobles, posted this comment on Nov 10th, 2009
Thanks!
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Lucy Lockett, posted this comment on Jan 12th, 2008
That sounds great!