So I obtained a pre-paid TracFone, paid for a year's air time and figured I was good to go when the new number was activated and I was able to make calls. Great, now I can save the $30 a month difference between it and the "name brand" phone company.

Three days later, I wake up to a display that reads "Unregistered SIM" and the phone won't let me make calls. Back to the retailer where I made the purchase and the employee there was good enough to burn 45 minutes of his time on their phone to TracFone "customer service" and eventually the tech guy.

They figured I had a bad SIM card and would ground-ship me a new one, which would take 5-7 days. Even though there's a rack full of their phones on the wall 15 feet away, they still have to do it this way.

OK, a week goes by, I get the new SIM card, take it and the phone to the retailer, where I have them do the install and make the call for activation. 15 minutes later, I'm done and the phone is still working, 3 days after that.

Now when I asked TracFone what they would do to make it up to me (being without 7 days of service for which I have *pre-paid*), they told me they can't "give things away to customers."

What??!! I've already paid for the service days and I've been unable to use a portion due to your defective equipment -- and you're not going to make even a minimal effort to keep a customer happy?

So while the price and NSA-style of the service seems attractive at first, I'd rate them a 5 for appearance and a 3 for performance.

Thanks for listening to the rant --take the words of warning and be prepared to jump through a LOT of hoops if something goes wrong with your phone.

Now since they shipped a new sim card, you just lost the advantage of a Tracphone of being totally anonymous.  Now your address and name are on record somewhere and linked to your hobby phone. When your time runs out on that phone it will be time to get a new one that can't be tracked back to you.  I just hope they don't make it where you have to be trackable by Tracphone.

They are willing to send me a new one, but do not wish them to have my address. I have googlevoice and wondering whether to try that or get a new tracfone.

You went through ALL this for a phone company and phone that you can simply buy at a convenience store for $20?!??
Your time apparently means nothing to you, to the point of being laughable.

Oh come ON. Someone, anyone, tell me this guy isn't a stupid Phuck.

Check out the PrePaid forums of those who use it as their daily phone and you'll find plenty of stories about bad customer service.  If you can't do it online, don't bother calling them as a general rule

Yes, the phone was $20 but the airtime card giving me the 1,000 minutes airtime was $100.This isn't a hobby phone but my only phone line, as I'm single and not worried about an SO.

So I didn't want to just throw away $120 when I could use that money for more fun in the pursuit of the hobby.

Hope that helps clarify that I'm not just a stupid Phuck, just a Phuck without money to burn

Back years ago I used TracPhone as my only cell phone.  The first one I got from Wal-Mart was a real simple Nokia phone and it worked great.  Then one day I was online and saw an advertisement for a "better" phone.  I ordered the phone from TracPhone and of course the damn thing didn't work.  Then began my odyssey with TracPhone's customer service.  It was not good, not good at all.

I got fed up with them and signed up with Verizon for my everyday cell phone.  It is more expensive sure but it is worth it.

As far as TracPhone having your address now that they shipped a new sim card to you.  If you don't have a SO and you don't commit any serious crimes that can be linked back to that phone then it really isn't a big deal.    

I still use a Trac for my monger phone.  I think it is still the best deal for a cheap throw away phone.  I've actually gone through a couple phones since my bad customer service experience with them.  I change phones when I start getting too many unsolicited calls and texts from escorts and strippers.

I use TF for my hobby phone.  After 2 years, I bought a newer Motorola model (under $20).  I keep my V phone clean.  
It's a shame to lose a few service days, but you did get it straightened out.  I guess I'd feel differently if it was my main phone.  
If I was single, I'd still use a hobby phone.  I want to be able to shut off thse calls at times.  I'd not want a call back while I was having dinner with MOM or out on a civie date or...
skb

One of the best shows on TV these days, along with "Mad Men." AMC seems to have it happening --

All I ever think about now with these second phones is Breaking Bad.

Yep.   And SAMCRO on Sons of Anarchy also use a prepaid phone for certain activities.

im not familair with tracphone but couldn't the $100 be used on a different phone so you are only out $20.

I used a tracphone for over 4 yrs as both my primary and provider phone... yes, if you have a problem, customer service does suck... but they work almost everywhere in the US, and only cost $20 at Walmart(even certain gas stations now) If you use it for your main phone, they can get expensive though... $20 for 60 minutes of talktime, unless you also buy the double time for $30(well worth it) or $30 for 90 min.