What is the best prepaid cell phone companies? I have a friend that swears by prepaid plans but she refuses to get into any sort of contract with a cell phone company. I was thinking about this as well and wanted to know the pros and cons. She uses Tracfone though and I didn't really like what I read about them.

I think a prepaid card is better than post-paid plan is that you pay as you go along using the phone. For post paid plans, the bill only comes a month later and you know what damage a heavy user can do in a month!

I always opt for prepaid card,at least you are aware of your usage.But in post paid cards the biggest turn off is the billing part,the whole month you try to control your calls,you to your shock get a bill which will literally take your breath away.

So which prepaid companies would you suggest? I hear there are lots to choose from ( Virgin, At&T. T-Mobile amongst others)? Which one has the best value with the best phones?

All depends on your usage pattern and if you really are a light user, most plans are the same ; the important thing is you pay as you go and can always change your calling pattern.

What about the phones though? Are the phones basically the same with pre-paid companies ?

You probably have to pay for the phone as you are not tied to a contract. Find a simple functional one or fancy expensive one - all depends on your preference. My recommendation is get a cheap and functional phone to save money.

Well, I have never been into the phones that have every add on you can think of on it. I do like the ones that make texting easy, but as far as gaming on phones, taking pics on phones, downloading music on phones, etc..blah..I just want a phone I can talk on and occasionally text on. And with the prices of my current phone getting outrageous, pre paid is seeming the ideal way to go for now.

In that case, get a simple phone that has been in the market a few years already, pay for the phone (you will not get it free without a postpaid contract)and then start using the phone with your pre-paid card. You will see your phone bills declining dramatically.

Well I don't know what service is around you. But I sell cell phones for a living So... T-Mobile is probably what I would recommend. The phones are inexpensive (30 bucks) And if she hates refilling and doesn't use the phone a lot she can get a $100 pre-paid card and she gets 1,000 minutes and won't have to refill for another year unless of course she finishes her minutes. I can go on and on T-Mobile offers more pre-paid plans like FlexPay which gives you 600 minutes and free nights and weekends for 39.99and now they have a Pay a $1 a day and get unlimited mobile to mobile... The list goes on so if you need anything just ask!

Thanks ! Another we heard about was Virgin Mobile, but this T-Mobile deal sounds pretty good. So on the $1 a day, do you only pay that on the days you need to use your phone or is it deducted daily regardless?

No only on the days you use it for voice calling and you will get to make calls at ten cents a minute unless they are t-mobile calls in which case they are free and unlimited and nights start at 7pm and free weekends too. If you text message it will be ten cents to send and five cents to receive.