Can you reccommend an unbelievably simplistic cell phone for mom (pay as you go)

[Black]

rgG wrote:
As I usually do, let me recommend Page Plus as a great prepaid service. They have some basic phones for sale on their website, or you can use just about any Verizon phone, except for a Verizon prepaid phone.

They use Verizon's network, and if your mom uses very few minutes, you can keep a phone active for $10 every four months. This is the service I use for my mom and she has an older Verizon flip phone that was a hand me down from a relative. At least with a flip phone, I know if she closes it the call is disconnected. Yes, she is that bad with a cell phone.

http://www.pagepluscellular.com/Online%2...hones.aspx

Edit: in case anyone wonders, I am not affiliated with Page Plus in any way, I just think they have the best deal going for people who need Verizon service. Just wanted everyone to know that I don't get paid for promoting them. I wish I did.

If you do go with Page Plus I highly recommend you pick up an LG 8360.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=lg+vx8360
I've had mine going on two years and it's rock-solid.

[C(-)ris]

The Motorola MOTOFONE F3 was the one I was thinking of. Doesn't get any simpler than that, but it doesn't look to have wide availability.

Chris

[Wailer]

As we speak, my first smartphone is en route. I've held out for a long time partly because the battery will go days (or weeks) on standby on most of these "crummy" phones. I'm not good about religiously charging my phone daily but my env2 will go 3 or 4 days on a single charge (about 5 calls and 20 texts a day).

Our family has several Samsung SCH-A650 and those things will go at least a week with no usuage.

If you have good Verizon service in your area, I'd look for a hand-me-down from someone and check out Page Plus. $10 for 4 months is a great deal. If I understand Net10's cheapest "plan" will run you $30 every 2 months. T-mob's is $100/yr.

I wouldn't go so far as buying a used "crummy" phone. I bet there are forum members here who have older phones laying around.

[Rick-o]

The Jitterbug is a great phone for my elderly Pop. he has had several cell phones over the years, but the Jitterbug that I got him two years ago blows the other phones right out of the water. He absolutely loves it. He doesn't surf, doesn't do Internet, and didn't even use the voice mail on the other phones.

It's a flip phone, and when you open it, you have that familiar dial tone seniors expect, the menu has larger characters that are easier to see, keyboard has larger keys, etc. It's perfect for the elderly, simple to use and no contract. You can cancel any time, but you do have to initially buy the phone outright.

[Marc Anthony]

I have the Motorola EM326G with Net10 and am happy with it. It has a few other features that you mom might never use—such as a camera and bluetooth—but they can be ignored. The phone (and the service) has been very reliable and inexpensive. Call quality is excellent.

[JEBB]

My Tracfone cost works out to $8/month after buying a year's time.

[Jimmypoo]

I didn't read all the above -- but why can't she just get this:


Dial the number - hit the GREEN button.

Hang up by hitting the RED button.

Plug it in to charge.

IGNORE ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS.


That's pretty universal. No need to learn about voice mail, etc., if this is just for rare usage.

At that point, it doesn't matter WHICH of the cheapest phones they use -- get the one with the lowest
total annual cost - regardless of what features it might boast.

[Mike V]

Senior's Mobile Phone