I'm in California right now and wanted to avoid the roaming charges for calls. So I went to Sam Goody and picked up a couple of those MyGoPhones from AT&T. They were $20 bucks AND you can call any AT&T customer free, so I picked up two. This is way cheaper than buying a set of good walkie talkies!

It's free to AT&T customers and only 10 cents to other numbers. Even LD is only 10 cents anywhere in the US. I promptly swapped out my FIDO Sim Card and put this one into my phone. I picked up a $100 prepaid card that has a 1 year expiry date. I don't think I'll ever use it all but it'll come in handy again when I hit the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas come January and again at the World Cyber Games in Seattle in October this year.

Competition is clearly a good thing because I noticed like at least 5 other prepaid services on the shelf. Last time I checked, there is no offer even close to this in Canada. In addition to outrageous data charges, we also get the shaft on prepaid services. Canada clearly needs to become more competitive with the rest of the developed world in terms of wireless services.

The drawback to them (which for a while doesn't bother you, but grows more irritating as time goes by) is that when you get under 60 minutes available you get not only a verbal warning when you place a call but it sends you a text message every time you make or receive a call (BEEP-BEEP-BEEP before you can answer).

But yeah...they're a heck of a deal. :D

I get this ringy dingy thing telling me how much money is left on the account after every call. I don't mind it, but I can see it getting annoying if you're making a lot of calls in succession. Haven't hit the 60 min mark yet, but I'm sure I'll notice it.

Yeah, it was really cool to just walk in and walk out with a phone with no id and no questions asked. Activate and go ;)

I'm not too much of a fan of prepaid phones, but it sounds like you got a great deal on yours. I prefer to be on a plan, but that's just what works for me.

We've done both - and they both have their benefits, and they both have their drawbacks. When we were using prepaid, we only paid like $15 a month for one phone. With a contract, we're paying about $60 for two phones. I like the $15 better. ;)

I use my phone way too much in Canada to do prepaid. However, the time that I'm actually in the US, it's so much cheaper than roaming. Now that prepaid has such a low cost of ownership, and great carry over and calling benefits (mobile to mobile free on AT&T), it makes it a no brainer for a traveller. Just chuck everyone in your group a phone loaded with the bare minimum and just call eachother :D

I was in a drug store today, and they had a flip for 19.00 (Virgin Mobile) and another prepaid phone for 14.00. They had them hanging at the front of the store, the way batteries or cigarette lighters hang on hooks. The prices are really going down.

For sometimes as low as $10 (refurbished phone) or $20 you can buy an ATT Go Phone online, get a free $10 worth of time, and free shipping. You have 30 days before adding more time is required.

I get this ringy dingy thing telling me how much money is left on the account after every call. I don't mind it, but I can see it getting annoying if you're making a lot of calls in succession. Haven't hit the 60 min mark yet, but I'm sure I'll notice it.

Yeah, it was really cool to just walk in and walk out with a phone with no id and no questions asked. Activate and go ;)

Suddenly I see a Go-Phone ad-placement in a movie involving a kidnapping.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of prepaid, its strange how they deduct you for text messengering (word?). Good thing I'm switching to a GSM carrier soon.

I have both the contract arrangement, and then a few prepaids. I have grown kids, and although they have their own phones having a few prepaids laying around helps them keep their bills down.

My daughter is notorious for letting her battery run way down, so having a charged up phone for her to grab makes me feel better when she's out driving at night. I have one prepaid on a plan (for them), and since it isn't used regularly the money on it just adds way up and up, so it has tons of time - unlike their own phones. :)