Cheapest Cell Phone Option For People Who Don't Like Cell Phones

November 16, 2014 1:26 PM

After holding out lo, these many years, it seems I need to get a cell phone. Browsing AskMe & the internet, it seems the best, least contracty option is 7-11's Speak Out program. But maybe there's a better option of which I am not aware, and maybe you can help!

Background: I live in Canada, in an urban area. The phone will be almost exclusively be used for my spouse to get hold of me while I'm at work, so long distance is not a factor. I don't text or intend to do anything requiring data plans. I have a WiFi iPod Touch with offline-friendly apps to keep me occupied. I don't need any bells or whistles beyond talking on the phone and voice mail.

Thoughts: I like the looks of the 7-11 plan: 365-day airtime expiry, voice mail and call display are included. I like this phone: simple, 12 actual buttons, FM radio! (Okay, that's one bell/whistle.) For a $140 outlay, it looks like I'd be set up for the year at about $13/month, which I'm sure is a better deal than anything we can get from our home/wife's cell/internet provider. As I see it, the only better deal would be to get a new 7-11 SIM card ($10) and airtime for one my wife's old phones, but her old phones are 1000 button monstrosities sitting in a box of old electronics somewhere in the basement.

Question: Buuut, are there any other deals there for the phone, cost, and contract-averse Canadian I've missed? I've browsed other vendors, and found 7-11's site and deal to be the most straightforward. I don't know if CostCo offers anything, but we do have a membership if they have something comparable. Is there anything I should be aware of regarding the 7-11 program?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

posted by Alvy Ampersand to Shopping (8 answers total)

Best answer: I did all the same research you did and went with speakout as well. I use my phone so infrequently (portable phone booth for emergencies) that my major problem with the plan is remembering to charge the phone.

Just in case you need reinforcement for your decision.
posted by wenat at 2:42 PM on November 16, 2014

Best answer: Get a prepaid phone. You can get a $25 cell phone at most electronic stores (and even some large grocery stores). That phone will then either come with a SIM (phone number), or you buy one separately for $10-$20. Earlier this year I bought an AT+T phone like this for use by visiting family. No monthly charge! You just need to add value to the account occasionally as you use up the stored value.

https://www.google.com/search?q=burner+phone
posted by intermod at 3:49 PM on November 16, 2014

Best answer: Nope, Speakout is your best bet. I've been using it on Nexus phones for years now and it's great. Never had a big complaint. Only slight beef is that it doesn't work anywhere outside of Canada so if you go to the States you're out of luck for service.
posted by the dief at 4:07 PM on November 16, 2014

Best answer: I was on SpeakOut for years (switched because I decided I needed a better plan for data use with a smartphone), and they sound perfect for your needs. They do occasionally run promotions like "get an extra $20 of credit when you buy a $100 top-up", so you might keep an eye out for those.
posted by invokeuse at 7:59 PM on November 16, 2014

Response by poster: "Portable phone booth" is a great description of what I need. Thanks for the input, everyone!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:41 PM on November 16, 2014

Best answer: I've been using a SpeakOut phone for years with and love it. I spend maybe $50 to $100 a year. Not only is the airtime good for 365 days, but you can rollover unused time if you top up before it expires. I have yet to find anyone who will beat that.
posted by fimbulvetr at 7:30 AM on November 17, 2014

Best answer: Alvy, I have this Samsung flip phone that I paid $20 for, and it's perfect for me. You may still be able to find one for ten bucks. Simple, compact, easy to use, and the battery lasts forever. Find a little protective case at a thrift store. I have the Bell $100 per year plan, and I don't even use that, so when I renew before the year is up, the unused balance is added to the $100. Bell seems to have much better customer service than telus (terrible), but I have had no issues with them.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:29 AM on November 17, 2014

Response by poster: I got the Alcatel A392A, and it seems to be the perfect phone and a perfect plan!

Thanks, everyone!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:41 AM on November 30, 2014