Tracfone Problem

[Pureza]

I recently purchased a Tracfone from their site. It was a Nokia 1100, and it was the one they said would work with my zip code. Well, for the last week I have been trying to explain to them my problem, but they just try to change my number. Here is my problem...

Tracfone puts me on T-Mobile's network. Where I live, T-Mobile doesn't have any coverage. I have contacted them 8 times, and I still have no service because they keep giving me T-Mobile. I know the phone I have also works on Cingular's GSM. I have Cingular in my area, and I know Tracfone works with them. I have tried to explain this to them, and they say they don't pick the carrier or the phone numbers.

I have no idea what to do next, all the customer support people want to do is change my number or say my phone is defective. It's not the phone. I can get service on my phone, but I have to be like 30 miles away from where I normally need a phone. Any help would be appreciated.

[Gamer03]

Welcome to WA Pureza.

I would either try a different headset from TracFone, and if that doesn't help out, I would definitely try another prepaid or post paid service.

They have a satisfaction guarantee.

I would take it back to where you bought it from and return it. Or like I said, try another phone, but then you will loose the airtime that is currently on your phone.

Do you have NET10 Wireless in your area? Usually, they have units either at K-Mart or Walmart. They use Cingular's network, and they are only 10 cents per minute. I would try them if you are unhappy with TracFone.

Let us know how you resolve your problem. Good luck.

[Pureza]

They said they were sending a new SIM card and it may give me another carrier besides T-Mobile. I know nothing about phones, will that do anything?

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by Pureza They said they were sending a new SIM card and it may give me another carrier besides T-Mobile. I know nothing about phones, will that do anything?

It might. I forgot about that. If that is the case, then your current SIM card might be broken and not working properly, which would result in not picking up a Cingular signal. So that might do the trick.

Did they say what will happen if that doesn't work? Will you be able to get a full refund?

[jones]

Originally Posted by Pureza They said they were sending a new SIM card and it may give me another carrier besides T-Mobile. I know nothing about phones, will that do anything?

Yes,
It has to be a different carrier.
If you look at T-Mobile Coverage,
it's almost Non existent.
It's a coverage problem and not the Phone.

[EdwardP]

Originally Posted by Gamer03 Do you have Net10 wireless in your area? Usually, they have units either at K-Mart or Walmart. They use Cingular's network, and they are only 10 cents per minute. I would try them if you are unhappy with Tracfone. Let us know how you resolve your problem. Good luck.

Net10 is a service of TracFone, same networks (T-Mobile/Cingular), same phones - except for the firmware inside them, but priced like postpay.

If Pureza wants to use a TracFone, the poster may be better off going to RadioShack and getting a TracFone there, they sell CDMA models (the Nokia 2285 is one such model), in which case, since Mississippi is the location, there's a chance it could be activated on Alltel or Verizon (VZW), and would not have to worry about SIM cards.

I found out that the phone number on my VZW-activated TracFone can be ported back to Verizon if I choose to leave T-Mobile after my agreement expires, and decide to get monthly service from VZW.

And if the new coverage maps are any indication, I lost 90% of the T-Mobile roaming coverage in Vermont.

[Pureza]

I'm still waiting on a SIM card. Does anyone know if Tracfone has different SIM cards for different providers? The other SIM card did get service to my phone, but I had to be in a T-Mobile coverage area...like 30 miles away.

I could get a Tracfone activated at wal-mart, but it would be a Nokia 1221, and I really like my Nokia 1100.

I looked at Net10 and Verizon, and from what I could tell, they had no coverage in my area.

I have another Tracfone on Alltel that works here, but I don't think Alltel has GSM.

[Pureza]

I got a new SIM card, and my problem has been solved. TracFone has SIM cards based on carriers, and they pick the card for your zip code.

They were giving me a T5 card, and that was T-Mobile. Today I got a C4 card, and it's Cingular.

I just wanted to update this in case someone has the same problem.

[Maggie Brost]

Originally Posted by Pureza I got a new SIM card, and my problem has been solved. Tracfone has SIM cards based on carriers, and they pick the card for your zip code. They were giving me a T5 card, and that was T-Mobile. Today I got a C4 card, and it's Cingular. I just wanted to update this in case someone has the same problem.

Please help me. New user, don't know where to start. I have a GSM phone (Sony Ericsson - irrelevant) that has an AT&T sim card which I had been using as a Go-Phone. I'm fed up with the AT&T/Cingular drama I have had to deal with (had a $19.99 month-to-month plan, but now Cingular only offers a $29.99 per month plan.) I only need a phone for maybe 30 minutes per month. Am considering TracPhone, or any other options you can suggest to talk anytime, whenever I want, no contract. Can I get my phone unlocked and use another carrier? Or do I need a different carrier's sim card for whatever carrier you advise? If I do need a different sim card, how do I get one? HELP.

[budney]

Originally Posted by Maggie Brost Please help me. New user, don't know where to start. I have a GSM phone (Sony Ericsson - irrelevant) that has an AT&T sim card which I had been using as a Go-Phone. I'm fed up with the AT&T/Cingular drama I have had to deal with (had a $19.99 month-to-month plan, but now Cingular only offers a $29.99 per month plan.) I only need a phone for maybe 30 minutes per month. Am considering TracPhone, or any other options you can suggest to talk anytime, whenever I want, no contract. Can I get my phone unlocked and use another carrier? Or do I need a different carrier's sim card for whatever carrier you advise? If I do need a different sim card, how do I get one? HELP.

Maggie, to WA!

I would look into T-Mobile To Go, Cingular Go Phone (Pat As You Go), SpeakOut, Virgin Mobile, and even Boost Mobile. Look over the links below, and if you have any questions just reply back. All these services have better rates and some perks that Tracfone dosn't have.

Go Phone (Pay As You Go)

T-Mobile To Go

Boost Mobile

Virgin Mobile

SpeakOut