Saturday, October 27, 2012

Giant Eagle Wireless Center & a Giveaway

Giant Eagle Wireless Center: "We have all the hottest no-contract phones – including the latest smartphones -- and prepaid wireless plans to fit anyone's needs! Great for teaching your teen a lesson in responsibility, or to simply save money over traditional wireless provider. In fact, you can save more than $1000 compared to a pricey two-year contract. To learn more, visit http://www.gianteagle.com/save/wireless-center/."

When I was a kid, cell phones didn't exist. I can remember the first time I saw a car phone. It was my second term of my co-op job and there was a car phone in the company van. It was huge! I got my first cell phone about a year later. It was one of those old flip phones. Closed it was probably was 2" thick. So, when my son asks, when can I get a cell phone - I'm not entirely sure what the answer is. I'm challenged with the idea that I don't think that he needs to have until he is older and the reality that with him and his sister being busy with extra-curricular activities, it might be nice for him to call if the activity ends early or he needs us to bring him something. Not that we ever leave him alone anywhere - he is always with another parent if one of us can't be there, so he would have access to a phone likely. But, there was one time after soccer when he had to use the bathroom and I was parked in the opposite direction. I told him that I would go get the car and meet him back at the restroom. Somehow, we missed each other and he got back to where the car was and I wasn't there - because I was now down by the bathrooms. He was very concerned that I had left. He did the right thing and found a parent to call me. When he wasn't at the bathroom, I started to walk back to where I had parked and saw him standing there upset. It would have been nice for him to have his own phone with my number programmed. With our wireless program though, if we add a line for his phone, it would come with all that we have. I am not looking for him to have a Smart Phone, but also hate to pay Smart Phone prices for a basic phone. Plus, I want it to be more an as needed phone for now. When he is in high school, then I think it is the right time for him to have his own phone that he can use more often and have his friends call him on.

I have always been a little bit intrigued by the No Contract Phones. I never was really sure how they worked, but thought it might be a great option for having a phone for the kids. When I was given the opportunity to check out a phone, I was excited for the opportunity to learn more and put it to the test.

Giant Eagle Wireless Center offers both traditional phones and smart phones. There are a wide range of wireless cards available to choose from, although for the smart phones there are limitations on which cards will work. Right now at Giant Eagle, you can earn a BONUS $1 fuelperks! when you buy any no-contract phone and prepaid wireless card together!

I received a TracFone Samsung T245G. Set up and activation was easy. It took only a few minutes to set up the account and then about half an hour to actually have the phone be activated. If you have a phone number that you want to transfer to the phone, that is an option you can select at set up. I didn't have one to transfer, so I'm not sure what impact that has on set up time for the phone. Since I didn't have a phone number, one was assigned. They do ask what zip code you will make most of your calls, I am assuming that this is what is used to assign a number.

The phone displays both the remaining minutes and the remaining days of service. One thing that I learned, is that you need to have days of service. So, if you buy a card that is 200 minutes and 90 days. You don't lose your minutes after 90 days, but you do need to add another card to add the additional days. The cheapest options (also lower minutes), are either pay each month @$9.99/month and 30 minutes or you can buy a full year @$99.99/year and 400 minutes. Of course, you can pay more and have more minutes, but the nice thing is it is up to you to decide. Note though, if you have a Smart Phone, you will need an unlimited card - even with those, it seems to be about $50 - $60 per month, depending on provider. Not a bad deal relative to a standard contract phone.

The service area has been fine. I would say it is similar to the reception I have had with other cell phones. I guess this should not be a surprise, as I learned that the no contract phones use the networks of the major carriers.

Giveaway!
Courtesy of Giant Eagle, I have the opportunity to give away to one A Busy Mom of Two reader a no contract phone and wireless card. You do not need to live in a Giant Eagle territory, but if you do, there is a bonus entry.

The winner will receive:

· NET10 Huawei Ascend II with a 3.5” touch screen, Android 2.3 OS, and 5 MP camera/video recorder.

· NET10 Unlimited wireless card which includes unlimited talk, text and web for 30 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through November 15th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.


No compensation was received for this post. I received a complimentary no contract phone and wireless card from the Giant Eagle Wireless Center for the purposes of sharing my experience. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

53 comments:

Unknown said...

I would rather have a no contract phone because there are so many different types of phones and they are continually upgrading the technology. I know that a phone would be considered old after only a few months.

Michele P. said...

the traditional plans are SO expensive... my smartphone was $90 a month with a plan. I canceled that and am paying $50 a month now for unlimited everything with another smartphone, same company! So there can definitely be a cost savings there if you do your homework and check out the different companies offering no contract plans.
micaela6955 at msn dot com

Lori Sifuentes said...

My parents really need a no contract phone since they don't use a lot of minutes.

Thanks!

Troy Breiland said...

I would be great to have an extra phone

shaunie (sandyhills25@yahoo.com) said...

I like that there are no reoccuring charges which makes it hassle-free

shaunie (sandyhills25@yahoo.com) said...

I subscribe to your blog by email

g7s22 said...

My husband desperately needs a new phone since his is barely holding a charge. We love no contract because we really just use them for emergencies.

Dawn A said...

My mom is getting older and I think a no contract phone would be perfect for her!

Elizabeth said...

I don't use a lot of minutes, so I would appreciate a no-contract phone.

esther said...

We have so much going on right now, and we don't need contracts!

Kayla said...

I love no contract phones because you can upgrade whenever you want & you're not locked into an expensive monthly fee.

Paul L said...

Plans for non-contract phones offer more flexibility and in general are cheaper. If on contract, you're often obligated to pay extra for data and other extras you might not even use!

♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ said...

I don't use my mobile phone very often so a traditional post paid plan would seem overly expensive for me

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

Kathy said...

I like the flexibility of not having a contract. Then I can switch phones if I want.

Unknown said...

I have a contract phone that I am waiting for the contract to expire. I am so sick of being stuck in a contract!! We have issues with our phones and the carrier won't help us.

Barb Webb said...

I really love the idea of having an non-contract phone. So tired of waiting for our plan to renew to have any options. We have to pay to switch phones mid-point and I think that's just silly! Also , I think these would be good for starting my children out. Easy enough to cancel or switch users if things don't work out. Thanks for the information and the chance to win!

Unknown said...

I'd like a no contract phone so I wouldn't be locked into plans I don't use. I use one only for emergencies so all the bells and whistles are wasted on me! Thanks
hondaray6 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

We've been looking at no contract phones for a while now. I hate feeling "stuck" with a disappointing provider!

Samantha D. said...

My boyfriend likes the no contract phones because he goes through so many. Can't seem to find a boyfriend proof phone lol. But he likes the freedom, and I like the price and that he doesn't have to limit himself and can't go over anything. He would love this because he's been wanting to try a new service provider

Theresa said...

I want a no contract phone so the phones are cheaper!

cc_girly(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mel said...

I don't always use the x amount of minutes and it's just a waste. This is great as you don't need to be tied down with a contract!

Austin Baroudi said...

No contract phones are better to me because they generally tend to be alot cheaper and your never tied down to a plan if you want to change or upgrade!
mcfallsk8er(at)aim(dot)com

Betsy said...

I would rather have a no contract phone so the months we cant afford we arent stuck in a plan

Nichole said...

I love that the plans seem to be less expensive and you don't have a contract. You can opt out any time - love that!

gail said...

sometimes it is cheaper this way
gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)com

Kellie R said...

This would be great for my daughter...we've been talking about it for about 6 months.

Unknown said...

We could use one b/c we only need a cell phone once in awhile!

Amanda Phillips said...

I love them because you aren't stuck in a contract for two years and you can change phones as often as you want.

Anonymous said...

I would like it for my 14 year old. That way we weren't locked in at paying so much a month if it didn't work out.
snowwolf222@yahoo.com

Luna Moon said...

I like them because if you don't have the extra cash for the month you can wait to buy minutes until the next month.

Unknown said...

I like the affordability and flexibility. I also like that they offer great phones :)

Unknown said...

I like the affordability, flexibility and cool phones! My family could really use this!

throuthehaze said...

I like no contract phones because when money is tight I can just skip a month and won't be penalized.

Unknown said...

This would really help! I hate to be bound to a contract.

Unknown said...

This would be helpful for our daughter, I hate contracts.

Deanna said...

because my mom doesn't use it enough to make monthly payments!
xoxo

Unknown said...

I would prefer a no contract phone for my teen daughter so we don't get hit with any surprise charges at the end of the month.

Mel said...

with contracts you are obligated but with no contracts its less stressful

adventuresofmel@yahoo.com

Hannah said...

I like the fact that I am not bound by a contract. If I can no longer afford the phone, I can drop it without having to pay any fines.
joyfilledjem (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I love no contract phones because I can choose my own plan/payment! I'd love to upgrade to an android version!

Unknown said...

I love no contract phones because I can choose my own plan/payment. I'd love to upgrade to an android version!

Anonymous said...

I think no contract phones are generally cheaper to own. This would be perfect for my daughter.

Veronica said...

I really need a no contract phone because I have a 17 year old that needs to be monitored constantly. This would be great if it is unlimited then I wouldn't have to worry about him running up a huge bill for us.

vnjplus3 at verizon dot net

Unknown said...

No contract is GREAT to have for cars/emergencies/ or to give to grandparents who refuse to pay the high prices of cell phones!

Kristen said...

We aren't big cell phone users, so this would be perfect.

Josiah said...

I like the fact that you can get unlimited talk, text and web alot cheaper than when you have a plan.

Anonymous said...

No contract is great fo0r kids, if they aren grounded for a month you just don't pay the phone

Giveaway Lady said...

I like that you can pay when you want the phone and then wait if you have a time you are tight or don't need it. Thanks for this giveaway!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Amy W. said...

I like not having to pay a monthly fee if you can't afford it one month.

Donna said...

I like the price and would use it for my daughter

Dani said...

I would love a no contract phone for my daughter. She wouldn't be stuck in a contract if she found out she couldn't afford it.

Anonymous said...

I like that you do not have to worry about where the next payment will come from if you do not have a contract

jennifer marie

lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

[Whatever U are, be a good one!] said...

I would like to have a no contract phone because its price is affordable and easy to use for me
Thanks for the great giveaway

Fiona N