Here’s a list of deals on phones, as I’ve found them. Since these deals change frequently, I can’t promise that they’ll always be current, but I’ll try to look through them once in a while and sort out the expired deals.
For now, there are a couple of ways to save if you buy directly from TracFone or Net10. Here are links to pages explaining the detais:
TracFone Promotional Codes for Discounts
Net10 has their Mother’s Day deal up.
LG600 with free accessory kit for $39.99
Code 44477 is auto applied for free shipping.
The $5 discount is still auto applied also.
Code 34567 still works for an additional $3 off.
$31.99 + tax shipped.
the phone has a lot of features but the browser is slowwwwwwwwwww
Oh heck…I swear I saw a current package on your site that listed phone, 800 minutes, dmfl for $99 or $100. I think it was the lg3280 but now I can’t find it and I THINK I looked everywhere. Am I hallucinating again. I have just bought your book (am so glad as I need to buy a phone ASAP and believe this site is already helping me.
Thanks, smr
Hi, I’m new posting here. I find your website extemely helpful.
I just bought my husband a Double minute T301G Tracfone. It had a 120 min card, so it doubled to 240.
What I really would like to find is a car charger, ear phone, the thingy that you use in 1 ear. Also, I would like to know if their is an inexpensive bluetooth that can be used for this phone. I have no idea what bluetooth to look for.
The pkg came with the phone, 120 minutes, and home charger, and tht was it.
BTW, my husband loves it, the numbers (on the screen) are large, when he is calling someone, and when he receives a call, the numbers are big enough to see. Very nice.
It was very inexpensive, but he doesn’t text or use the browser, etc. Its mainly for calls, main thing is he loves it.
Hi Sas
Bluetooth is designed to be a universal protocol, so you don’t need a specific bluetooth headset to work with this phone. Any bluetooth headset designed for use with phones will work with the t301g.
As far as wired headsets and car chargers, I’d suggest searching Amazon or eBay for devices compatible with the Samsung Jack, since the t301g and the Jack have the same connector type.
Also I bought a Motorola w376g – TracFone with Bluetooth – I bought this phone, for a son) from a shopping channel, it had 400 minutes, (double minutes) for life. (with the pkg) but also, it had another serial card for another 400 minutes (800)so it was a total of about 1600min. We used it on a trip so it went down to 150 minutes and thats when I noticed the othr card in the pkg. So I called it in, and it brought the minutes up to about 1200 mins. Also came with the accessory kit, car charger, cable for phone to computer, (guess for downloads?), home charger, and ear attachment for phone. It cost me 79.95. Do you think I overpaid? The phone has really good sound, I can hear the the person perfectly and viceversa. I know I’m not wording all these specs right but I’m pretty new to this type of phone. My old cell phone is extremely old, but works. I’m not under contract with at&t anymore, and I don’t wnt to have a contract with any company. So I’m buying a cell phone for myself. I like the Samsung R451C slider phone. I like it because I find it easier to text and though I’m very feminine, I like a phone that feels a little more solid, and I like the slide out feature.
From what I remember from yhour reviews, I think it has good sound? The w376g has really good sound. Any advice?
Oh, plus I want to transfer my old at&t number ovr. I’m wondering if one can buy the phone from the website, tell them to port the number over to the sim card and send it all together.
When I changed my sons old phone number over to the new one, I called customer service, and they fedex it in 2 days, so the his number got transfered over in a couple of days.
Thanks in advance
Hi Again Sas
First, I”d like to say you found an amazing deal. $80 for 1600 minutes (or more, if you used promotional codes) is really, really good, and that’s not even counting the phone and accessories. You definitely did not overpay. Is that deal still available? If it is, I will buy some (definitely more than one) for myself!
About that computer cable, I think that all you’ll be able to do with that is possible charge the phone from the computer’s USB port, but even that might require a special driver on your computer. You won’t be able to transfer any files back and forth between the phone and computer.
Now, for your new phone, you should be able to transfer your AT&T number over to the new phone once you have the new one in your possession. Call customer service to help you activate the new phone by porting your old number over. This way you won’t have to deal with calling about a new sim later, and generally just makes the process simpler.
If you’re happy with your AT&T coverage, I’d suggest the T401g instead of the r451c. They’re pretty similar in design, but the t401g uses the AT&T network so your coverage should be the same as it was with your old phone. Also, using the t401g will make porting your number easier since the number will stay on the same network (TracFone just “rents” network time from the big carriers like AT&T and verizon).
Both of those phones (the t401g and the r451c) have decent voice quality, but definitely not as good as the w376g. The w376g really excels for voice calls – good sound and excellent reception. It’s not so good for texting, though. Also, keep in mind that the Samsung r451c and Samsung t401g are for Net10 only. If you want to go with TRacFone, you don’t have an option for a QWERTY keyboard. On the Net10 side, they have the w377g, which is the same thing as Trac’s w376g. Net10 is fine if you use at least 150 minutes each month, but Trac is better for people that use less than that.
Hi again, and thank you for your reply.
I bought that bundled pkg for the 376g at HSN (Home Shopping Channel). It’s not listed anymore, they do these bundled pkgs for cell phones every so often, and different brands. This is the first time I bought a prepaid cell phone, it sounded so good, I bought it right away. Since I had given thought to switching my sons number to a prepaid, this pkg seemed ideal.
I was a little leary about the phone, etc, thinking I might have made a mistake. But then I thought, well, I have 30 days to return it to HSN, if I don’t like it. You can do this with them.
But it was a good deal, now that I’ve been researching. It did have the 400 minutes doubled at activation plus I think I had a promo code from a little discount booklet they send with the pkg. So it went up to about 800+. And like I said before, it came with the computer cable, car charger, house charge, and ear piece.
We used it on a trip, and when we got home, I think there were like 120 minutes or so left, so then, is when I noticed the other card which I hadn’t scratched off and thought “could this be another 400 minutes” so I called Tracfone, and they asked for the phone serial number, then asked me to scratch off the card, I then gave them the number on the card and it went up to 800 minutes plus the 120 or so that were left plus I had a promo code on the booklet for an extra minutes if adding airtime, which I was sooooo…..thats how we ended up with about 1200 minutes the second time around.
I have to say that the phone has very good audio quality, both ear and speakerphone. Only thing that we didn’t like too much was that the keys are sensitive, so you have to hit them quick, or else you get a extra or so number, then you have to delete.
I think it was because we were used to the other old, old cell phone which has the keys that you hit a little harder.
I feel better about buying it now that you let me know it was a good deal.
one more thing is that since I am not under contract with at&t, but I have one more son that is, (under my account), I am going to stay with them, only with a much smaller minute plan. I bought a used phone that has texting (Pantech Impact) so I can text some.
. Anyway, he doesn’t text, but he can receive texts. (376g)
We can text on my sons tracfone, but if you don’t know too much about texting, it takes a while to get a message done
Have a good weekend!
I have had excellent luck Tracfone. They have solved any problems I have had with my W376G (only one},via E-Mail. The W376g is a great phone.
Hi, so far the w376g, has been a great phone, for my son. So far no problems whatsoever, great audio, just everything on the phone seems to work well. However, he does not browse the internet. That’s about the only thing that I would change, is where the browser button is. But so far, so good. Knock on wood! (I did)
Hi, I don’t see my post, so just in case something happened to it, I’ll repost again.
The bundle you liked, the W376g is at the home shopping website again, but right now, its for 99.95 (yesterday night, they had a 1 hr special on it for the price I bought it at, 79.95
Motorola W376 cell phone
1-Year Airtime Minute card with 400 minutes (upon activation, minutes will double to 800 with the Double Minutes for Life)
Car charger
Wall charger
Earbud headset
Rechargeable battery
TracFone guide
Manufacturer’s 1-year limited warranty
Motorola Prepaid Bluetooth Camera Cell Phone with 800 MinutesItem: 958-115 free shipping and if you want, 2 payment of 49.50. If you buy something from HSN, buy it through the website because you don’t get charged tax, and you can opt for a payment plan, no interest, unless you charge it to THEIR card, which I don’t.
Also same deal on the Samsung T301 Prepaid Bluetooth Camera Cell Phone with 800 MinutesItem: 954-772
Same price, 99.95 free shipping optional 2 payments of 49.50
What You Get
400-minute Airtime Card (plus additional 400 minutes when activated)
AA emergency charger
Car charger
Home charger
Lithium-ion battery
TracFone Services Guide
Manufacturer’s 90-day limited warranty for accessories
Manufacturer’s 1-year limited warranty for phone
What I like about the shopping channels is that if you don’t like whatever you get, you can return it before the 30 days are up, and they refund you the money.
Just thought I would let you know it was on again.
Has anyone found any Father’s Day deals from Tracfone yet? Please include your zip so everyone else can get the same deals.
Pbushx2. The word is that Net10 Unlimited is no longer a Target exlusive. It has been witnessed at both Kmart and Radio Shacks along with a new 750 minute /$25 plan.
There is a buzz that you can use ANY Net10 phone on ANY plan INCLUDING unlimited/750 minutes not just paygo.
This changes the game if true and makes older Net10 phones lying around MUCH MORE useful.
Byod on Tracfone /Net10 has always been a huge joke but if they allow this , it does improve the situation quite a bit…
Hi Ike
Thanks for sharing this info about Net10 Unlimited. I wasn’t aware of that. In fact, even the Target stores in my area still don’t have much for the Net10 unlimited. It just doesn’t seem like they are pushing it too much. But if you could use any old Net10 phone, you are absolutely right that it might gain more traction, especially the 750 minute plan, which is a usage tier not currently covered by Straight Talk.
Hello: I have been a loyal Tracfone customer since 2002. But I have to admit that I am getting really frustrated with them. I am, admittedly, a gadget freak. I normally would get a new Tracfone once a year when a new model came out. But the phones offered in my area would be downgrades compared to the LG600 I have. I have complained to Trafone about their choice and they seem to ignore me. What I don’t understand is why a very small town (1/4 of the size of my city) just 15 minutes from where I live offers nicer phones. I also don’t see why they don’t offer the same phones they do for Net 10 and Smart talk. Tracfone is the company that started it all but it seems to me they are abandoning customers in favor of their ‘newer’ divisions. Very bad business if you ask me.
Hi,
I’m looking for a slider fone for texting, and with blue tooth capability. Are there any out there that will work with Tracfone? Thanks,
Ray
Check out the extra $10 gift card on the normal great deals on the Trekfone website. Pass it on.
Chazz was here
I can’t find a place to ask a question about the Nokia E71 on the review page it dont work with my phone. I hope this works and I get an answer to my question. Can you install 3rd party apps and games on the Noika E71 other then from the Nokia OVI LIKE from UMNET.COM.
AND can you cross activate a Trac Phone to a NET10 Account?
Hi, I posted a note about this on the wrong page, before I found the “deals” page, but Best Buy has the Net10 LG 900g for $29.99 this week. Took a chance and got one; going to play with it tomorrow and see what I got!
My First Impressions of the LG 900g are favorable.
Things I like:
-Camera seems sharper than my LG 290C
-Uses same battery and charger as my old well-used LG 290C, which can now function as a battery charger!
-The labelling on the keyboard is larger than the Samsung R355c,for which I had to get my glasses to see some of the symbols on the keys.
-The feel of the keyboard and the spacing work pretty well for me.
Some very minor dislikes:
-Best Buy’s website says the phone comes with a 500MB SD card. It does not. Still talking to Best Buy on this one. (To be fair, this is NOT a phone dislike, it’s a Best Buy gripe).
-Calendar will not let you delete one entry of a repeating event. “Delete” deletes them all, like the Samsung R355c did.
-The keyboard is one solid membrane without separation between the keys (like the Samsung R355c has), which makes me wonder if it will be durable.
Haven’t done much with it yet; waiting for my number to port. Don’t worry Pbush, I’m not going into a full phone review – I’m waiting to see your review as you have the experience with multiple phones to tell us how this one compares!
My summary so far is that I think this is the best Net10 phone (or Tracfone) I have had so far.
Are refurbished phones worth it?
Refurbished phones available at StraightTalk:
I posted this on “about” too, because I didn’t know under which it would best fit. Hope you don’t mind, categorization is a decision of trade-offs.
Hi. Question: one of your early posts mentioned the phrase: “if you don’t mind a refurbished phone.”
Can you expand, ST does a special or two on refurbished phones here and there. At least one is available in my area. Pros and cons? And I might, well, will, like to ask maybe a few followup questions about them, such as specific models. Right now I am looking at LG and Samsung refurbished models. Not all are in the same zipcode, it varies. Can I ask the general comment and then move on to LG 290c and LG220c specifically? Thanks very much!
Markf, I have ordered several refurbished phones over the years from Tracfone and Net10, as they frequently come with minutes that make them “free.” (And a free phone like one you already have makes a great battery charger and spare battery!). And I recently bought a “free” refurbished Samsung R355c from Straighttalk. I have never had a problem with the refurbished phones; they still look new and are well packaged and warrantied for a year just like the new phones. I think most of these “refurbished” phones are ones that people bought new then returned for whatever reason within 30 days (during the free trial period). Maybe they didn’t get a good signal in their area, or maybe they had to call customer service and got so frustrated they sent it back for a refund. I’d say go for it, it’s a great way to try out the phone and the service for usually just the cost of the minutes.
Hi JLL
Thanks for your valuable contributions to this blog!
I agree with everything you said above, both about the 900g and in response to Mark’s question about refurbs.
The only thing I would add is that I think that many times the refurbs never even leave the factory before they are classified as refurbished. I think this might happen if they are used for quality control checks or something like that.
Also, a little-known fact is that even on the more expensive contract phones (such as iPhone, to name just one), if a customer has a problem with their initial purchase and opts for an exchange, the “new” unit they are given in exchange is a refurb. So if those companies are confident enough in the refurbs to give them out to already dissatisfied customers, I’m confident enough to “buy” one as a freebie.
I think these refurb deals are a fantastic way to get started with Trac, Net10, or Straight Talk!
pbushx2,
Net10 is offering their LG600G phone deal again with 300 min on activation AND a 300min card for $39. The only problem is this time they are not offered everywhere they use to. I know it is being offered where i live 06790. But the next town over 06756 it is not offered. I always used that zip code to make sure i got a AT&T phone instead of T-MOBILE. T-MOBILE does NOT work at my house but ATT works great. Does you know how to fool the system in a different way???? Is they a different zip that will work? 600 min for $39 is a great deal.
THANKS FOR ANY HELP!
Henry
Hi Henry
I think the issue here is that your zip code is a “T-Mobile” area, which means it will come with a T-Mobile SIM. this may or may not be a problem for you, but generally, Trac and Net10 users prefer AT&T SIMs. Here’s some more info about this topic:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/tracfone-and-net10-sim-card-info/
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/more-tracfone-and-net10-sim-card-info/
BIG HEADS UP! SAVE MONEY! When you add minutes, be sure you go through your account. Otherwise, you are charged tax on the transaction. You are charged NO tax when you buy your minutes after having logged into your account.
Chris
Wow, I had no idea about this – I will definitely share this!
can this tip apply when buying a phone too?
Not always, depends on your state…some states have caught up with the loss of sales tax revenue to online sales and have mandated online sales tax be added…other states have not. My state forces TF to charge sales tax to me regardless of whether I buy at a store or online.
Used “mytaxst” for promocode for Straight Talk $20 refurb and $30 card and got a $20 gift card
Hi Wade
What phone was that on? I just tried using it for the r451c refurb and it didn’t go through.
LG800G WITH TRIPLE MINUTES FOR LIFE – The “Today’s Special” for June 11, 2011 at HSN.com is an LG800G with TRIPLE minutes for life! It comes with 1200 minutes (400 minutes tripled) and one year of service for $99.95, so the phone is basically FREE. I use CDMA because my service with GSM phones is marginal where I live, but triple minutes for life sure makes it tempting to try it anyway. Here is a link to HSN’s page for this order:
http://www.hsn.com/lg-tracfone-w-triple-minutes_pf-135854_xp.aspx?sourcemailid=EMDED20110611&cm_mmc=Email*Special_Offers*EMDED20110611*26
looking for a battery for my lg900g phone ASAP
Does the lg900 let you use apps for comparing prices by scanning the product bar?
Brenda, unfortunately I don’t believe that apps are ever allowed to access the camera, which would make the bar-code scanner you describe impossible.
I have received a message – “Forbidden”, when attempting to view some text messages. Tracfone charges a full unit for retrieving the text message and then all I get is the error message. Has anyone experienced this error?
It could be that you are trying to receive an MMS message where the attachment is a file type that your phone doesn’t support. What phone model is it, and where was the message from?
Just got the 500g with DMFL on Amazon for $21.99 and free shipping.
HSN has the LG500g with 1300 minutes and Triple Minutes for Life for $99.95!
http://electronics.hsn.com/lg-prepaid-bluetooth-camera-cell-phone-with-1300-minutes-and-triple-minutes-for-life_m-10057375_xp.aspx
Hi JLL. Thanks for this and your many other contributions to the blog. I just wrote a blog post about this, and it’s now on the front page of the blog (pbush14.wordpress.com). Thanks to you taking the time to let me know about the deal, hundreds of others will also learn about it.
Thank you!
Is there a way to convert the LG500g with 1300 minutes and triple minutes for life starting out at 99.95, into some sort of monthly ongoing equivalent for comparing with, say,
Straight Talk? What’s a good comparator for “triple minutes”? Any good pencil pushers out there? -Mark
Hi Marco,
I’m not sure how you are trying to compare the two plans, Straight Talk and TracFone are really in two different leagues in terms of cost per month.
But I tried to make a comparison, and after I had it all written up I thought it was worth sharing in a place where more people might see it. So I decided to publish it in a blog post, which is now on the front page of the blog:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/compare-tracfone-and-straight-talk/
I’m very new to these touch screen phones. Can someone help me about the apps and how I get data plans for tracfone cell phones? What will I be paying for the data plans, where to find the apps, etc.
Thanks,
Maureen
Maureen,
Data is just charged against your regular airtime balance. Basically, a minute online equates to a minute of airtime usage. There are no extra plans to sign up for or anything.
The apps come from a variety of places. There are some sites that offer them for free (umnet.com and getjar.com are a couple of the main sites I’ve used). You can then download them to your computer and transfer to the phone by USB, sd card reader, or possibly by bluetooth depending on the phone model.
Another option is to download directly from the provider. m.opera.com (opera browser) and some of the google apps – gmail and maps – can be downloaded directly via the google mobile site. I hope to do a post on this in the future, but right now I’m so busy with a bunch of phones to review that I honestly don’t know how long it will be until I get around to a “Where to download Java apps” post. Once you have a specific phone in mind, you might want to check out http://howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=330 and go through old discussion threads or start your own asking for specific advice about apps on that phone.
whats up with straight talk not having all the promo codes like tracfone and net10? after all they are all owned by the same company…
Hiya – I saw yesterday that there’s ben the introduction of triple minutes for life (?!), but only as a promo (I assume) with the sale of tracfone’s 2 higher-end devices. Is it possible to get this feature seperate, and add it to my mother’s SVC phone – as that would add quite a lot of value to her current plan(?)
I don’t believe it’s possible at this point.