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.