Mobile Service = Mobile Pricing

I've heard greaet things about Cricket Wireless. I know a guy who uses that carrier, and is happy with the service and costs. I'm locked in to a different carrier right now, but at my first opportunity I will switch to Cricket.

I use cricket wireless. I pay 22 dollars for 2.5 GB and unlimited texting/messaging

sounds like its fake but its not.

https://www.cricketwireless.com/support/plans-and-features/cricket-plans-and-features/customer/group-save-discounts.html

Have you noticed any of this attempted bill padding (for lack of another phrase) foolishness on your monthly statements?

There is no legitimate reason for this.

You have to call because it takes time, is a pain in the rear and the wait times are 10x what they would be if you wanted to become a new customer.

All this means that many people pay the bloated bill because it is less of a pain than spending 45 minutes on the phone with someone from some non-English steaking country who does not have a command of your language.

And, they call that customer "service".

What really burns me is the fact that the cellular infrastructure in this country is well established and mature. I have cell service 7 miles out of town in Arkansas.

But, we're still paying the same rates as when they were building the system.

We're also paying a surcharge so unemployed people can have free phones. (These are inappropriately called "Obama phones".

"All this means that many people pay the bloated bill because it is less of a pain than spending 45 minutes on the phone with someone from some non-English speaking country who does not have a command of your language."

I hate to think that you're right about this, but you're probably right about this.

The cynic in me says that most people are not able to figure out if they are being overcharged a few dollars... I really hate to think that unethical tactic might be used, but I guess it could be.

Starting with the May invoice, the carrier started charging me North Dakota Use Tax ($1.85, I think). Shown up on my bill every month since. I moved from ND more than two years ago.

Read More Dirty Little Secret Lives of Phone Bills - TeleTruth

Scroll down to see Verizon bill.

If our leaders weren't being purchased by the highest bidder, we might have a chance.

A combination of high demand and government bureaucracy.

Google Fi Service has caught my eye. I may be giving it a try.

^{Let us know your experience in here, or possibly start a new thread if you don't mind. I'm sure many people would like to know.}

We got Trac Phones (not an endorsement) for our pre-teen boys. The phones are $20.00 USD and you purchase blocks of minutes. They allow us to call them when it is time to come home.

If basic is what you want, this is it. Phone, text and camera. They may do more, I don't know.

Interestingly enough, neither of them want to carry a phone and have to be reminded to take them when they go out to play.

"Interestingly enough, neither of them want to carry a phone and have to be reminded to take them when they go out to play."

If the kids carried their phones, they would have to answer when you called, then come home for dinner.

I used a 'disposable phone' (not TracPhone, but same idea) for quite a few years, and was completely satisfied. In fact, I got geographic coverage where a number of other people got zero bars! But now... ya know, as I consider, I'm not exactly sure just how I was talked into this current cell phone entanglement.

You can get smart phones through tracfone as well. I'm currently using an android based LG phone from them that I got for 20 bucks (refurbished). Came with lifetime triple minutes too.

And THAT, my friend, is why I use a pay-as-you-go phone from tracfone.