No Contract

Andrea and I have had our ups and down when it comes to cell phones.  She doesn't like the phone I provide, she has it on silent, the screen cracks, she gets it stolen, always something.  Just over a year ago I threw up my hands in frustration and said forget it, I'm done, you'll get a phone when you buy one yourself.  Between Andrea not answering the phone I'd paid for and Sprint not standing behind a phone that was still under warranty I was Threw.  I had no contract so I took over hers and made her go without a phone. 

I get free of her Sprint contract on July 17th.  A few days later Andrea pops up talking about wanting a phone.  She tells me how I can add a line for $9.99 or something.  I tell her I don't want another contract.  I check prices of phones that will work with Spring and found them too expensive. 

Andrea calls Sprint to see if she can get a phone on her own account.  She can't.  They tell her if I get the phone for her she'll be able to transfer it to her own name after she turns eighteen.  Andrea even shows me a phone they said she could get for free.  I say no because I don't want a contract, you'll have to qualify and possible pay a deposit when you do turn eighteen to get the account in your name.  She's dissapointed but that's life.

I called A. T. & T. to see what they had.  It was even worse; even if you buy the phone you've got to sign a contract.  They've got to be kidding.  

We were at the mall yesterday and I noticed a Best Buy Mobile store.  I suggested we go in.  I was up front about what I wanted.  It must work on Sprint.  It must have no contract.  It must be cheap.   The lady said phones like that start at $200 and go up to $800.  How about a prepaid phone?  Andrea was reluctant to look at them because she thinks the ones at WalMart are made of cheap plastic.  We took a look at them since we were already there.  Andrea found a phone she liked and can afford.  She got an LG Optimus Elite for $69.  It's a smart phone that runs on the Android system.  She got the $35 a month service plan.  It has unlimited date and messaging on a 3 or 4 z network through Virgin Moble.  Because she talks very little she got the 300 minute plan. 

I'm happy because I still don't have a contract.  Andrea is happy because she has a phone she likes and to look at it you can't tell the difference between it and a several hundred dollar phone.  She can text and surf to her hearts content.  She has a bill now to learn responsibility. 

I surprised myself by suggesting she get the Best Buy warranty.  Usually I don't buy these things but she's hard on phones and the screen on her Sprint phone cracked before a year was over.  So I had her spring for the $11.99 a year Warranty.  I had to call Best Buy today to clarify.  Virgin Mobile's computer said she had two weeks to get insurance on her phone.  I speak to their customer service wondering what's going on.  The rep said the phone didn't have insurance and insurance is $5.99 a month.  I double check the receipt and call Best Buy.  Best Buy said we have insurance through Best Buy, not Virgin Mobile.