Tracfone woes..

[JTK]

For many years I've taken care of Tracfone service for my mother-in-law. I set her up with one of the yearly cards for ~$100 and she's good to go for a year. Every two years or so, I'll mail-order a new phone for her and transfer service to it online. Easy as can be.. until this time.

On a recent road-trip, she managed to spill coffee on her older LG slider phone rendering it permanently inop. I got her a 'factory refurbished' replacement touch screen LG 600? online for next to nothing, intending to transfer her existing number/minutes to it as I normally would with no problem.

I got the new phone, went through the transfer process online and was stopped in my tracks with a message that I need a new SIM card from Tracfone to complete the process, and need to call them for this. I called, had to go though the whole transfer process with them, only to be told I need a SIM card. Yes.. I know that.. that's what the site told me! "Call back when you get the SIM card".

Today I got the SIM card, installed it in the phone and called Tracfone. I explained the situation to 1-800-Pakistan, but again had to start from the beginning, going through the whole transfer process with them (which took 30min this time. The process again stalled with "Yes.. We need to send you a SIM card". Almost completely loosing it it, I explain I've GOT the new SIM card and have already been through this. "I'm sorry Sir.. The system says we need to send you a new SIM card.

Now I wait again.

Wow has this service turned into an Albatross.

Any suggestions with this SIM card thing? Her old LG phone doesn't have one.

 

[Nick1994]

If her old phone didn't have a SIM card and you order it online, can you try to get one from Tracphone that doesn't need a SIM card?

My grandpa last week washed his Samsung flip phone through the washer and wouldn't turn on. I stuck it in a bowl of rice with the battery out for the day and it worked like a charm afterwards.

 

[crazyoildude]

phone fried rice ?

Sorry could not resist!

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
phone fried rice ?

Sorry could not resist!
?

 

[gregk24]

Just wait for the new SIM. Ive been through this process before also. Wait it out I bet the second one will work.

 

[jimbrewer]

Gave up on those kinds of phones. Service just gets worse and worse, on the theory that you must be a drug-dealer anyway, so who cares?

Broke down and got me a knockoff cellular i-phone. $30 bucks per month, no contract, but still more than I need.

You can do tricks on it like make it sound like rain.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Just wait for the new SIM. Ive been through this process before also. Wait it out I bet the second one will work.


I hope so. I've been taking care of this for the MIL for probably 15yrs and have never had such issues. I don't think I've had to actually call Tracfone more than a handful of times over the years. This time was absolutely pathetic because all they can do is read their computer screens like a script. They have no ability to reason or troubleshoot.

 

[Nate1979]

Sounds like you get what you pay for. Have you tried a different service?

 

[antiqueshell]

@JTK:

Don't waste anymore time with the indians on the phone..
Go to the official tracfone.com website and go to the
community forums section and post your issue in the appropiate forum section. They have better skilled customer service on the forums.

 

[Smcatub]

If the old phone were revived would that be an option?

I had a Tracfone die on me back when I had a Tracfone. It got dropped into a nasty puddle. And it didn't work when it dried, either.

I figured it wasn't working anyway so why not experiment? I thought it might be conductive muck on the inside bridging two circuits that was screwing it up. So I took out the battery and soaked it in clean water for a day. Then set it in front of a fan for a couple of nights to dry. Put the battery back, put it on the charger, and it booted right up. It lasted for a few years and was still working when I upgraded to a smartphone.

 

[Jim K]

Try Puppy Wireless. American owned and American service. They use the Verizon network . I`m on auto-pay with 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 25mb data for $11.95 a month. They have plans for as little as $7.95 a month on up.

 

[JTK]

Got it all resolved on a 10min online chat session w/ TracFone per antiqueshell's advice above. Worked like a charm and a lot easier then the 1-800 help IMO.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Got it all resolved on a 10min online chat session w/ TracFone per antiqueshell's advice above. Worked like a charm and a lot easier then the 1-800 help IMO.


Glad I could help.

Tracfone has a lot going for it, and the community forums solve the customer service issue for almost everyone.

 

[Vuflanovsky]

I've been very happy with TracFone and if you want what's termed a "clever" phone ( vs. smart phone ) like the LG 305/306 then I think it's a great deal. Triple minutes and $6.67/mo ( 180 minutes with a 60 minute card purchase and 90 days ) is perfect for an occasional user or elderly lifeline phone. My phone is my phone and not my computer unless it has to be...if you're close to that sentiment pre-paid works great.

 

[JTK]

I hear you Vuf!

The factory refurbished LG 800G was a whole $4.99 shipped to the door. I can't tell it from new and the seller even included two different color rubber covers for it.

Supposedly this phone comes with triple minutes for life as well.