My messsge is, in part, like a couple of other messages from newbies I've read here. I have been thinking about contacting a provider for quite some time. Very glad I discovered TER so that I can find someone nice and also do everything possible to avoid LE. I will now take the plunge, so to speak.

OK, so to my question: How should I phone the person I decide on? Should I just pick up my home phone and dial away? Seems to me that any provider will have caller ID. Yes? Should I be concerned in general about my provider having my home number? (No wife so no worries there.)

I read somewhere about buying a phone at Target and paying for minutes. How does this work? Is this the preferred method so that a person's home phone remains unknown to the provider for the protection of both of them?

If I should be concerned about giving my home ;phone to  provider, should I be less concerned if the woman is listed on TER and has several good reviews?

a separate phone (without your personal info...) would be preferred.  

you can go to target/radioshack to buy a pay per use phone.  the idea here is that you can't be traced.  i went to radioshack just today to buy a prepaid phone but.... the cashier asked for my info =\.... so i think that phone might not be good anymore.  i might have to buy a separate one.

RadioShack asks for personal info with pre-pay phones.. I asked them why and they said because they don't want other retailers buying large quantities of their (discounted) tracfones to profit, etc. It is only used for this purpose. Still, they don't check a license, so it's better to make the info up. The first time they asked I was flustered and gave my real info, so I threw that phone out (paranoid, I know ) and went back the following day to another location with fake info. Chances of this info actually being linked to the phone and/or used by LE is slim to none, but better safe than sorry.. Best of luck.

XoXo
Marea

It is best to use your mobile phone.  Whether it is your everyday phone or one just for hobbying is your choice.  I think the latter is the smart choice, but opinions vary.

The reason you want to make the appointment with the mobile phone is so that you are always calling the provider from the same number.  Some may get suspicious/uncomfortable if you call from different phone numbers.  On the day of an incall appointment you will likely go through the two-call routine, so you will need to call her as you are driving to her location.  So always calling from the same number increases her comfort level and ensures that she knows how to reach you if a complication arises.

Initial contact (most ladies won't take calls from blocked numbers), The two call system, the possibility of her running behind schedule or even having to cancel, you running late.  These are all reasons why you need a cell phone to hobby effectively.

One thing.

When you buy a TracPhone, does it already come with a number and an area code?

I don't use Tracfone, but in considering a purchase here is what I did find out:

Yes. The number is embedded in the SIM card already in the phone and I assume will be listed on a little card in the box (also a menu on the phone will provide it).

Tracfone does claim that they can give you a different number.  I don't know if SIM cards can be reprogrammed remotely or if you need a new card and therefore must give them a mailing address.

Why worry about the number? With mobile there are no long distance charges.  I wouldn't think a provider would be too concerned with a distant number.  With mobile phones the numbers can be from anywhere.

If you stick to well-reviewed ladies on TER (and since you're here, why wouldn't you?  I mean, that's Rule #1!), then you shouldn't buy anything special to call her, due to the fact that you have no SO at home.  Just use your cell phone or your home phone.  Just make sure your number is not blocked.  When you call, let her know that you'd like to see her.  Have a couple of times/dates (far enough in advance so that she can screen you) already in mind and ask her if she's available at either of those times.  If she's not, ask her when she could see you.  Be prepared to give her any personal info (short of anything that could lead to ID theft, but that shouldn't be an issue if you stuck to a well-reviewed gal) that she needs to get you screened.  With no references, you need to be agreeable to this and not get paranoid.  For example if she asks for your work #, she's not gonna call your boss and say, "Hey, your boy is out stickin' hos!"  They don't get to be well-reviewed providers, without knowing how to be discreet.  Relax, take a chill-pill and enjoy the ride...provided you stick with a well-reviewed lady.

First of all I am a newbie so take this for what you will, but thus far I have not contacted a lady that was not well reviewed, that being said, it might be naive, but trust must start somewhere, because they are well reviewed I call from my cell give them my name first and last and my number, because I am a newbie, I want to make sure they are comfortable with me. There is always a degree of risk but this way, I feel my risk has been lower quite a bit,

I bought a Tracfone at a supermarket with cash and I use it just for hobbying. When calling Tracfone to activate the phone you bought, they ask for a name, home phone number and address, but you can give them fake info. Plus, you need a cell phone because you have to call the lady when you arrive at her incall. I'd never use my home phone for hobbying.

paxx7

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the info on phones.

I phoned a few 7-11s and none of them sold TracFones. They did sell the minutes.

1) While I was researching the Net about TracFones, I came across the following very disparaging critique of Tracfone that I paste below. Has anyone else had similar problems?

2) Also, at Radio Shack, they want $30 for the least expensive phone. OK, fine, I'm not THAT cheap! The manager said that he'd throw in $10 worth of free minutes. Has anyone ever had this happen and tried to neogotiate for more minutes?

All right, here's the unhappy critique of TracFone that I stumbled across in my Net travels:


"It sounds simple enough. TracFone advertises itself as an easy-to-use prepaid cellular service. Just buy the minutes in advance and order more when you need them. But some customers, like Jim below and others in this section say it's not that easy. Read a few of their reports and AT&T, Verizon and other big bullies don't look quite so fearsome.

I purchased a Tracfone about two months ago at Walmart Supercenter with the assurance from the gal behind the counter that Tracfone was a 'great reputable' company. From the day I got the phone, it remained in 'roaming' mode, which charged me double the minutes that I was using. I went through repeated attempts of 'code entries' and being asked to wait another 24 hours to "see if it works".

Finally Tracfone requested that I send the phone back to them and they said they would send me a better model. The phone I sent to them was brand new, but the one they sent back to me was 'reconditioned', as noted by a big stamp on the box. Upon receiving the replacement phone, I called to have it activated and have my minutes installed from the old phone. That went well.

I hung up and attempted to make my first call with the new 'reconditioned' Tracfone. The number I dialed did not even ring, so I looked at the faceplate on the phone and it said...'No Service'. I called Tracfone back, entered more codes, and was told to wait another 24 hours. I did.

Today, I called back and went through more code entries; still didn't work, and I've been requested to wait another 24 hours. I have emailed the company twice with no response. I wouldn't suggest Tracfone to my worst enemy.

Damages: My total monetary cost is about 160.00, but the frustration they've cost me is priceless."


OK, fellow Noobs, that's it. Anybody had similar or other hangups (excuse the pun) with TracFone?

- ATB