Tracfone activation problem

[cey]

Just bought a tracfone in the US yesterday and when I tried to activate it using the 1-800 number from Canada, the phone did not register that it had received the phone number. So I spent an hour on my landline with tech support trying to fix the problem. Last tracfone I had I activated in the US. This time I want it activated for the drive to Florida. Anyone had this problem before? Will I receive the data when I drive into the US and am within range of a cell tower? Tech support was no help at all. They wanted to send me a new phone but couldn't guarantee I would receive one that had the double minutes for life which I had purchased. Therefore I would have lost 60 minutes and perhaps got a cheaper phone with no camera. I leave in 2 weeks so I think if the phone does not receive data when I enter the US, I will just return it to Target. Any thoughts?

Thanx,

Cheryl

 

[Northstar]

I think you have to activate it from within the US. That's what we've done, and yes, it is a PITA. But Tracfones don't work in Canada, at least in my part of Canada, and that includes the activation thing.

 

[cey]

Thanks for the quick response. Tech support kept insisting it was the phone and that I should be able to receive data. I agree with you, I think I am too far from a US cell phone tower (even if I am only 30 minutes from the border). I will keep my fingers crossed that it will receive data once I drive over the border. If not, back it goes! Too bad, because for 24.99 it was a great phone. Camera and even internet access! Much better deal than in Canada!



C.

 

[trl1812]

Sorry to ask this on your thread Cey. Does Tracfone ship the phones to your Canadian address? We are flying to WDW 1st of May and would like to get 3 phones.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I activated mine online but it didn't have the info on the screen until I went back to the USA. Most of the time it would adjust it shelf but once I had to call and they updated it from their end. No problems with the minutes that I was supposed to have.


I didn't know you could get a phone from them with web access. Is it full internet?

 

[OntFamily]

As other posters have advised,a Tracfone must be activated while you are in the USA.

If you are driving, the easiest way to activate is online (in NY state, any rest stop has free wi-fi, which expidites the process).

 

[dancin Disney style]

As other posters have advised,a Tracfone must be activated while you are in the USA.

If you are driving, the easiest way to activate is online (in NY state, any rest stop has free wi-fi, which expidites the process).

You can activate it in Canada...it just won't show all the on screen info until you are back in their service area. My phone will work while I'm in Canada about 3-4KM from the border.

There are people on here that can use their phone on a daily basis in Canada...it really just depends where you live.

 

[cey]

Tracfone will not ship to Canada on the initial purchase. You must purchase the phone in the US first. When I couldn't obtain data, they offered to FedEx a new phone to me in Canada to replace the one I had purchased. I told them I was returning to my address in Kissimmee and gave them both my US and Canadian addresses. Unfortunately, they could not guarantee the replacement phone would be equal to the one I purchased (it depends on what is available in the warehouse) and I was also worried about not receiving it in time. Like the OPs I think as soon as I cross the border, I will receive the data I need.

Apparently the Samsung model I purchased has internet capabilities. I can only imagine how many minutes that will eat up! I will post when I return on whether it was a good option to get on the phone! Love the camera option!

Thanks for all the support!
C.

 

[OntFamily]

You can activate it in Canada...it just won't show all the on screen info until you are back in their service area. My phone will work while I'm in Canada about 3-4KM from the border.

There are people on here that can use their phone on a daily basis in Canada...it really just depends where you live.

Tracphones will only work in Canada, if you are within 2 - 3 km of the USA border (within the range of the cell transmitter). Tracfone does not operate any cell transmitters in Canada.

While you can activate the account in Canada, the phone will not work. While it may activate automatically when you get within range of Tracfones transmitter, you may need to call Tracfone to re-send the activation signal (especially, if it is a few days between activation and the phone being in the USA).

Since Tracfone is a pay as you go service, why activate early? You're paying for days you won't be using.