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+--- Thread: Least expensive cell fone plan (/thread-2127.html)
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Least expensive cell fone plan - mr bill - 09-03-2013
I have resisted having a cell fone so far and would hope to do so forever more but with kids in pre-school now it looks like I'll have to give in and get one. What I would like to find is a plan that I can have the most basic type of fone with prepaid minutes that do not expire if they are not used within a month or any other set period. or- if not possible the next best/cheapest option. Your suggestons are welcome.
Thanks
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - Doyle Phillips - 09-03-2013
High Bill TelCel's pay as you go plan is the best in my opinion. You can buy 100 pesos minimum and i believe you have 2 months to use it. Basic phones are available new and used for about $200.00 to start. These are mainly for calling and receiving and texting.
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - kasugie - 09-03-2013
I second Doyle's advice. Telcel Amigo is a relatively inexpensive way to go. On top of that, for an additional 50 pesos a year, you can call another designated Telcel number for free, as long as both of you are not roaming outside of the designated calling area, which I believe in our case is the Estado de Guanajuato. It's vale la pena to have an Amigo phone for every member of the household.
Due to Mexico's "El que llama paga" policy, you receive almost no solicitations on your cell phone, compared to banks and merchants calling every hour on the Telmex landline.
Telcel Amigo phones aren't meant to replace your primary phone (Telmex landline or VOIP/Skype), but are there for emergencies and staying in constant communication with those whom you are closest to.
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - doncoulter - 09-03-2013
Ditto to what Doyle and kasugie say. Go to the Telcel office across from Mercado Hidalgo, wait in line for 15 minutes, then ask to see their two or three cheapest phones and choose the one you prefer. Shouldn't cost more than about 300 pesos.
There are a couple of different ways to add credit to your phone. What I do is buy a 100-peso phone card (available at Oxxo and various other places). As Doyle says, it's good for two months. I never use the full 100 pesos, but when I plug in a new card after two months my unused pesos are added to my available balance. There's also a way to transfer unused credit to another cell. Since I use my cell much less than my wife uses hers, I transfer credit to her phone whenever she needs it.
If you run out of credit, your phone will still receive calls. You just can't call out. So when my two months is up, I buy a new card but don't plug it in till I need it.
An alternative to buying the phone cards is to go into an Oxxo and buy credit from the cashier. The minimum is 20 or 30 pesos, and I don't know how long the credit is good for. This is the way to go if you enjoy annoying the people in line behind you while you try to remember your cell number. Buy half a dozen lottery tickets while you're at it.
Don
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - kasugie - 09-03-2013
If you add anything less than 100 pesos to a Telcel phone that has expired, then you only get about a week's airtime, before you need to refill again. 100 pesos does provide two months service, and your previous minutes carry over. That is really the only "catch" to Telcel. But, in the big scheme of things, 50 pesos a month to be able to dial out or be contacted for emergencies, isn't a lot in the big scheme of things.
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - peddler665 - 09-04-2013
It cost me 200 to reinstate my service (same phone) plus I purchased 300 pesos worth of time on my last trip. I was told by a English speaking rep they would be good for 3 months. I used it my entire time 1-1-13 to 3-9-13 with no problems. Phone/text only. No camera, no stock quotes, no e-mail. It was great. I will do the same next trip.
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - raquelita - 09-05-2013
The card sounds good but as so far I've gone the OXXO route, I don't know what the card is or how to "plug it in."
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - doncoulter - 09-05-2013
Raquelita,
You go to Oxxo or elsewhere and ask for a "tarjeta Telcel." It's cardboard and about the size of a credit card. Various denominations are available; I think the cheapest is 100 pesos. When they give you the card, check the expiration date on the back before leaving the store.
You don't actually "plug it in." There's a scratch-off number on the card. Once you've revealed it, call the Telcel number (I think it's *333), listen to an annoying voice menu, and then enter the scratch-off number when told to. The card includes these instructions.
Don
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - jesm - 10-18-2013
Very helpful info here thanks to all.
A further question, approximately how many pesos is a 1 minute call to a usa number with the amigo plan?
RE: Least expensive cell fone plan - J Anoni - 10-19-2013
I have tried to find the information of just how much calls of all kinds cost on the Telcel Amigo Pay-as-you-Go Plan. As usual with Google searches you end up in some internet forum or other where no one really knows what they are talking about.
The last time I tried to find out by googling, and then being directed to various internet forums, posters were stating rates from Mexico to the USA ranging anywhere from 4 to 10 pesos a minute. Which rate is correct, I do not know. But I consider both 4 pesos a minute, and 10 pesos a minute, to be totally outrageous. I would only make such calls in emergencies.
For calls from Mexico to the USA, I would suggest a VoIP phone in your home for non-emergency calls. I would consider a VoIP phone a necessity of living in Mexico as an expat.
But if you really wanted to find out Telcel's Mexico to USA rate though, it would be rather simple:
1. Check your balance in pesos on your Telcel phone.
2. Make a one minute call to the USA
3. Check your balance again
4. Subtract the two balances
5. The difference would be the cost of a one minute call to the USA.