Virgin Mobile..any one have it? Would you recommend?

[cepmom]

I'm thinking about switching from Verizon Wireless to Virgin Mobile. DD's tracfone went through the wash and while it sort of works after drying out, it's not fully functional (inside screen doesn't display) I have been looking at Virgin Mobile for her and for myself now since it's cheaper than what I'm paying for my phone through Verizon.

Also, I have another DD that wants a phone (10 years old) but I have been holding out on her until I feel it's necessary (doesn't ever go anywhere alone or have the real need for a phone at this point) plus I really have been putting off adding either of them to my Verizon plan since it will make the bill higher than I'm wiling to pay right now.

Any thoughts on Virgin Mobile plan? It's $25 a month for unlimited text, data and 300 minutes a month.

I'm mostly concerned about good service in my area...never have any reception problems with Verizon, but also want to know if there's anything I'm missing that might not make this a good choice for us. Thanks for any info!

 

[cepmom]

bumping for input

 

[pilikia97]

I use Virgin Mobile and am happy with them. I find the coverage is not as good as what I had a decade ago when I used AT&T, but the price more than compensates for it in the end. I rarely talk and mostly text on mine and I still rarely have to top up more often than the $20 I pay every 3 months (not sure if they still offer that plan or if mine has been grandfathered in...)

Not sure if that is at all helpful to you and your kids though as your usage will probably vary from mine...

 

[happywanderer2]

love mine, in fact I'm on my third phone--been using them for about 10 years. Never had a problem with reception anywhere I've been. I live in midwest but have travelled coast to coast and had no problems anywhere. Thinking of upgrading to another phone and it will be with Virgin.

 

[golfgal]

T-Mobile just had an add that kid's phones are free-you might want to look into that. Also, if you add a 3rd phone to your Virgin Mobile line, that will be $75/month-is that still less then what you would pay with Verizon? It is only $10/month to add a line to a plan with Verizon.

 

[cepmom]

T-Mobile just had an add that kid's phones are free-you might want to look into that. Also, if you add a 3rd phone to your Virgin Mobile line, that will be $75/month-is that still less then what you would pay with Verizon? It is only $10/month to add a line to a plan with Verizon.

I can't get out of the Verizon plan until June 2011 to switch to T-Mobile, but as I understand it I need to upgrade from my single plan to a family share plan to add other lines, so $99.99 for 2 lines, add another line for $10 (includes 700 shared anytime minutes and unlimited text, no data.)

 

[golfgal]

I can't get out of the Verizon plan until June 2011 to switch to T-Mobile, but as I understand it I need to upgrade from my single plan to a family share plan to add other lines, so $99.99 for 2 lines, add another line for $10 (includes 700 shared anytime minutes and unlimited text, no data.)

Can you switch now to Virgin or are you just getting info?

 

[cepmom]

Can you switch now to Virgin or are you just getting info?

I was thinking about getting my kids the Virgin phones now and then switch myself to Virgin once my Verizon contract ends in June

 

[KristinU]

DH and I had Virgin Mobile for about 3 years and were very satisfied. The only thing I wasn't hot on was the "cool" lingo they used in their recordings if you ever needed to call to check on balance etc. I'm clearly not the demographic, LOL!

The only reason we left them is because we both got Android phones (the EVO) on the Sprint network. After 3 years of freedom from a contract it was hard to lock in, that's for sure! But we're happy now as well (and paying a lot more, but we both use the added technology.)

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am looking at this plan also. From what I have read I think they actually are the same network (so same coverage area) as Sprint, which is also the same as the Kajeet phone I am using now. Right now I am paying $15 per month for 60 talk and unlimited texting-- extra charge for data and picture texting. I am not sure how much I would use the data. I don't really use my phone for talk much and only text with a few people so can't decide if it is worth it to pay the extra $10 per month.

 

[golfgal]

I was thinking about getting my kids the Virgin phones now and then switch myself to Virgin once my Verizon contract ends in June

I don't know what their plans cost but what about checking with T-Mobile to see what a plan would be for your DD's together and you can add your phone later? If the base plan is say, $30 and the next phone is free, it's a deal. Again, I just saw that ad last night and didn't pay that much attention to it.

 

[HM]

DH and I use Virgin Mobile and have for a long time. No problems with it. They are the least expensive for the type of use we have (which is only occasional calls). The kids both have phones using Kajeet.com and we find that it's a great deal for kids/teens as there are a lot of parental controls and for DD we pay only $20 a month for unlimited text and 150 (or 100) minutes of talk. She never uses all the talk and texts constantly. A great deal. DS using a pay as you go method and it costs us arount $10-15 a month (he isn't on it much).

 

[Evil Genius]

I have had Virgin Mobile for about a year now and they are pretty good. They recently had a major crash of their text and internet connections and when I inquired about when it would be back up customer service was very helpful and they gave me a $3.00 credit on my account for my trouble. I know that doesn't sound like a large amount, but when most companies are saying too bad so sad, it's nice to get something back.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm mostly concerned about good service in my area...never have any reception problems with Verizon, but also want to know if there's anything I'm missing that might not make this a good choice for us. Thanks for any info!

We used to have Virgin Wireless, and we were happy with it, until we started going to Vermont all the time...and there was no coverage in the part of Vermont we visit, so we had to switch to Verizon. If I remember correctly, Virgin Wireless uses the At&T Network, so that should help you figure out how the coverage will be.

 

[golfgal]

We used to have Virgin Wireless, and we were happy with it, until we started going to Vermont all the time...and there was no coverage in the part of Vermont we visit, so we had to switch to Verizon. If I remember correctly, Virgin Wireless uses the At&T Network, so that should help you figure out how the coverage will be.

Good point-we switched to Verizon because our old carrier didn't have coverage in our area. A plan can be as cheep as you want but if you can't get coverage in your own home, like we found out, it isn't worth the savings. Even coverage from plan to plan with a carrier can be different.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

We used to have Virgin Wireless, and we were happy with it, until we started going to Vermont all the time...and there was no coverage in the part of Vermont we visit, so we had to switch to Verizon. If I remember correctly, Virgin Wireless uses the At&T Network, so that should help you figure out how the coverage will be.

Virgin actually uses Sprint not AT&T. They are a fully owned subsidiary of Sprint.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Another vote here for VM. DH and I have used them for several years and have no complaints. We wanted the least expensive way to make/receive calls so it's perfect for us. With tax, we spend only $7/month for each phone! However, we don't text or use the internet, we only make/receive calls.

VM is very user-friendly. You can go online and swap phones in 5 minutes and change your service, etc... very easily. They have many affordable packages and no contracts.

I even found a replacement VM phone like the one DH already has for only $6 on clearance at Target. The phones don't last forever, but at $6 for a basic cell phone and $7/month for service, you can't go wrong!