We are retired and want to receive the most value for the money that we have earned and now spend. Earlier this summer we began celebrating our independence from pay TV by buying an indoor antenna and cancelling our cable TV service, which is now saving us $900/year. A new law this summer, "Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act", makes it easier for consumers to change their cell phone service. So we are now re-evaluating our cell phone service, usage, costs, and value.
We bought our first cell phone in 2006 (when we purchased our trailer) to be used especially when traveling away from home and used in case of emergencies. We still have and use this one Verizon flip phone with no texting or internet data use for $43.86/month (we have an AT&T land line and we do not have a need to text or get on the internet via a cell phone.)
Earlier this year, I was surprised to read the Consumer Reports January 2014 issue on choosing the best phones and plans, which reported that Consumer Cellular was the leader in customer satisfaction, based on value, data, and support.
I found it interesting that Consumer Cellular got many excellent reviews on the RV.net Open Roads forum thread, "Anyone use Consumer Cellular phone service?". I can see why: Consumer Cellular has inexpensive plans that require no contract and can be changed at any time without a service fee, uses AT&T network, is the exclusive wireless provider for AARP and gives discounts to AARP members, has a low-cost family plan that lets family members share minutes, and calls between phones on the same Consumer Cellular account are free. (Otherwise, there are no free mobile-mobile or free night and weekend minutes.)
I looked back at our Verizon cell phone usage over the years and saw that we rarely go over 200 minutes/month (including mobile-mobile, nights & weekends), so the corresponding Consumer Cellular plan of 200 anytime minutes/month would be $15/month ($14.25 for AARP members). This is so inexpensive that we are now considering getting two new flip phones (the Envoy from Consumer Cellular) for $35 apiece. Adding one additional line would cost another $9.50/month resulting in the total monthly service bill of about $26, including surcharges, fees, and taxes. (A savings of over $200/year.)
Nearly cutting our existing wireless bill in half, while gaining a second cell phone seems to be in our future.
Is Consumer Cellular the best value in cell phone service? What cell phone and service plan do you have and are you re-evaluating it? If you could change your service plan right now without any penalty or fee, which service plan would you choose?:)
We bought our first cell phone in 2006 (when we purchased our trailer) to be used especially when traveling away from home and used in case of emergencies. We still have and use this one Verizon flip phone with no texting or internet data use for $43.86/month (we have an AT&T land line and we do not have a need to text or get on the internet via a cell phone.)
Earlier this year, I was surprised to read the Consumer Reports January 2014 issue on choosing the best phones and plans, which reported that Consumer Cellular was the leader in customer satisfaction, based on value, data, and support.
I found it interesting that Consumer Cellular got many excellent reviews on the RV.net Open Roads forum thread, "Anyone use Consumer Cellular phone service?". I can see why: Consumer Cellular has inexpensive plans that require no contract and can be changed at any time without a service fee, uses AT&T network, is the exclusive wireless provider for AARP and gives discounts to AARP members, has a low-cost family plan that lets family members share minutes, and calls between phones on the same Consumer Cellular account are free. (Otherwise, there are no free mobile-mobile or free night and weekend minutes.)
I looked back at our Verizon cell phone usage over the years and saw that we rarely go over 200 minutes/month (including mobile-mobile, nights & weekends), so the corresponding Consumer Cellular plan of 200 anytime minutes/month would be $15/month ($14.25 for AARP members). This is so inexpensive that we are now considering getting two new flip phones (the Envoy from Consumer Cellular) for $35 apiece. Adding one additional line would cost another $9.50/month resulting in the total monthly service bill of about $26, including surcharges, fees, and taxes. (A savings of over $200/year.)
Nearly cutting our existing wireless bill in half, while gaining a second cell phone seems to be in our future.
Is Consumer Cellular the best value in cell phone service? What cell phone and service plan do you have and are you re-evaluating it? If you could change your service plan right now without any penalty or fee, which service plan would you choose?:)
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