Phone for incoming calls only

terry1156 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2005, 10:43 AM

What I'd like to do is get a cell phone for incoming calls only. I will not use it to make any calls at all, but need it so others can contact me from time to time. Is there any way I can set this up so that I don't have to pay anything for it, or a small amount at the very most?

PrincessPerky · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2005, 11:23 AM

I always wondered how those phones with the cards worked when people wanted to call you? do you have to punch in a bunch of numbers before you answered?

MrsChambers · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2005, 02:52 PM

I don't know of any phone system that can be soley used for incomming calls.

I have a virgin prepaid phone.. I don't use it at all, unless it's an emergency at work or somthing like that. I use $20 every two months or so...

there have even been times when I have had a balance on the phone, but still had to buy more minutes because I had not used it in so long... (did that make any sense?)
LOL

but i would be interested to know if there were a phone service like this out there!

miclason · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2005, 03:49 PM

Here in ES we have (as of last year) prepaid "landlines" (as opposed to mobile phones)...they work the same way as prepaid cellphone lines...you purchase a card whenever you need to make calls, and you are only charged for outgoing calls, meaning that, even if you don't have a balance on your card, you can still receive calls....(but, for the line to remain active, you have to purchase at least a $5 each month!)

Tree0164 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2005, 01:43 PM

Terry
You probably want to get a prepaid cell phone plan. You will have to buy some minutes for it but it sounds like you will be rarely using it. Check out the recent budget article for more pro and cons about prepaid cell phones.

terry1156 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2005, 01:57 PM

Thank you Theresa. I did read your article, but there was no mention about incoming calls. If I got a prepaid plan, would all incoming calls be free of charge?

Tree0164 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 05:13 AM

Terry there would be a charge. On cell phones all minutes are charged whether incoming or outgoing.

terry1156 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 10:33 AM

Theresa, Thank you. That is what I thought. I guess it's back to the drawing board for me.

Tree0164 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 03:55 PM

No problem Terry. It is going to cost you somehow if you want a cell phone even just for incoming calls.