Need ideas for phone discounts

[JeanBurt]

I know some states are even more expensive than AS, but $5/minutes is crazy!

Has anyone used any of the companies that provide a local phone number (then forward calls to you)? How did it work out?

[Paulie'sGirl]

OK, (again), the AZ DOC will NOT allow any phone numbers to be FORWARDED to a number. The ONLY way to receive calls from an inmate is through Securus. Securus IS IS the Correctional Billing Service that the AZ DOC uses.

What you can do, is get a local cell phone, for the city that your loved one is housed at.

I have my regular t-mobile number, that I have had for a dozen years. This was the number that was originally accepted by the DOC when I did my application 2+ years ago, and my calls were $6.44 from Yuma to Phoenix. I did this for a number of months, not knowing that I could get a local "Paulie bat line".

About a year ago, deciding that I really could NOT afford the costly calls anymore, I bought a Virgin pre-paid no contract cell phone.

I now pay $21.86 for 400 minutes. In addition to paying the monthly for Virgin, I set it up with Securus and pre-pay for Paul's call through Securus.

Our calls are now $1.84 a call with Securus.

So the break down is this:

A call a day: $1.84

If he calls 25 times in a month, my Securus cost is $46.

Calls are 15 min each, BUT, by the time you get the voice attendant to say "this is call from an inmate at xyz facility" each call is really 15 min and about 25 seconds.

Securus cost is $46, plus $6.95 fee (which is BS, I know!)

This is basically about 400 minutes of calls, per month, which kills out the 400 min that you pre-pay for.

So total: $21.86 (Virgin), plus @ $52 Securus.

Grand total is less than $75 for 25 calls, basically a call a day, minus those days that I visit, he's locked down, can't get a phone or I am too busy at work to answer.

THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION TO KEEP YOUR CALLS AFFORDABLE!

PG

[jaredsmermaid]

Originally Posted by Paulie'sGirl

OK, (again), the AZ DOC will NOT allow any phone numbers to be FORWARDED to a number. The ONLY way to receive calls from an inmate is through Securus. Securus IS IS the Correctional Billing Service that the AZ DOC uses.

What you can do, is get a local cell phone, for the city that your loved one is housed at.

I have my regular t-mobile number, that I have had for a dozen years. This was the number that was originally accepted by the DOC when I did my application 2+ years ago, and my calls were $6.44 from Yuma to Phoenix. I did this for a number of months, not knowing that I could get a local "Paulie bat line".

About a year ago, deciding that I really could NOT afford the costly calls anymore, I bought a Virgin pre-paid no contract cell phone.

I now pay $21.86 for 400 minutes. In addition to paying the monthly for Virgin, I set it up with Securus and pre-pay for Paul's call through Securus.

Our calls are now $1.84 a call with Securus.

So the break down is this:

A call a day: $1.84

If he calls 25 times in a month, my Securus cost is $46.

Calls are 15 min each, BUT, by the time you get the voice attendant to say "this is call from an inmate at xyz facility" each call is really 15 min and about 25 seconds.

Securus cost is $46, plus $6.95 fee (which is BS, I know!)

This is basically about 400 minutes of calls, per month, which kills out the 400 min that you pre-pay for.

So total: $21.86 (Virgin), plus @ $52 Securus.

Grand total is less than $75 for 25 calls, basically a call a day, minus those days that I visit, he's locked down, can't get a phone or I am too busy at work to answer.

THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION TO KEEP YOUR CALLS AFFORDABLE!

PG

I'm still blown away by how some phone calls cost under $2 for people! Even with the same area code, my call will be $4.60, and that's without their stupid taxes lol.

I'm going to buy an AT&T go phone with a $2/day plan--whichever days you use the phone, you pay $2 and it's unlimited minutes. My love is in Winslow, how can I make my calls cost $1.80? :-/

Aloha from far away............ Sent from my iPhone using PrisonTalk. Haim shelli.

[chiclet]

Securus charges the 6.95 to pay over the phone but if you can plan ahead and mail them a check by snail mail they put the money on the acct. quickly and there is NO FEE. I mail them a check at about the same time every month and save the 6.95.

[eprincess8]

Originally Posted by jaredsmermaid

I'm still blown away by how some phone calls cost under $2 for people! Even with the same area code, my call will be $4.60, and that's without their stupid taxes lol.

I'm going to buy an AT&T go phone with a $2/day plan--whichever days you use the phone, you pay $2 and it's unlimited minutes. My love is in Winslow, how can I make my calls cost $1.80? :-/

Aloha from far away............ Sent from my iPhone using PrisonTalk. Haim shelli.

I just went though all of this and finally got it figured out yesterday. Mine is at Winslow Apache, and the only service that works for that facility is Verizon (I tried AT&T, Net10, Virgin, etc.). You have to use the zip code when getting the phone number and before I purchased the phone I made sure it would get the $1.60 rate through the Securus website's Rate-My-Call feature. I literally just spent a week trying to get this set up and finally sent him the phone number yesterday. I'm unfortunately still in the process of getting my visitation application approved and haven't even had a chance to talk to him yet! So anxious.

Let me know if you have any more questions or need any help and I would be happy to walk you through everything that I did. Good luck!

[soulsurfer]

Hi Ladies I have a question. I am a new mwi .My man says he wants to call me because snail mail takes far too long for us. I am in the process of applying for call status. The thing is I live in Africa. Is there anyway to get cheaper calls internationally? Will he be able to call my cell phone or must I provide a landline number? Looking forward to your advice

[DJzGirl]

Originally Posted by africansun

Hi Ladies I have a question. I am a new mwi .My man says he wants to call me because snail mail takes far too long for us. I am in the process of applying for call status. The thing is I live in Africa. Is there anyway to get cheaper calls internationally? Will he be able to call my cell phone or must I provide a landline number? Looking forward to your advice

I have no idea, but I wanted to bump the thread in hopes you can get an answer. Have you found one, yet?

[DJzGirl]

I bought a TracFone for $8 the other day. I finally have a zip code for my guy at Lewis. I asked TracFone if I can use any zip and she said if I am far from the zip code I use, I will have more dropped cars. I am in PA!!! SO now I have to return that phone. Ugh! What a headache. I hate being across the country from him. I wonder if I can call the companies before I buy a phone. It would be easier than having to buy and return and buy and return. I guess the bigger companies are better.

[jaredsmermaid]

Originally Posted by DJzGirl

I bought a TracFone for $8 the other day. I finally have a zip code for my guy at Lewis. I asked TracFone if I can use any zip and she said if I am far from the zip code I use, I will have more dropped cars. I am in PA!!! SO now I have to return that phone. Ugh! What a headache. I hate being across the country from him. I wonder if I can call the companies before I buy a phone. It would be easier than having to buy and return and buy and return. I guess the bigger companies are better.

Buy an AT&T go phone. Mine has served me well! I have one with a Winslow area code and I live in Hawaii.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.

[DJzGirl]

Ok I will look into it. How much did it cost and where can I buy it from? I am anxious to kick start the application process that will probably take 3 months anyway. lol.

[jaredsmermaid]

Originally Posted by DJzGirl

Ok I will look into it. How much did it cost and where can I buy it from? I am anxious to kick start the application process that will probably take 3 months anyway. lol.

Walmart! $40 . Get the cheapest most simple AT&T go phone. Might be cheaper where you are. Everything is more expensive where I am.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.

[MyGirlCori]

I got an at&t go phone for $8 at a local convience store. they have a plan that is $2 a day for only the days you use it. We also have Cricket wireless in AZ and they offer a pay as you go also for as little as $1 a day for only the days you use it. you could get either one with a local number near the prison. if you already have at&t all you need to do is get another sim card with the local phone number for the prison and you could also just swap the sim cards out of you phone and switch them back and forth. this will also work with other providers with sim cards as long as you get one with the same provider. this way you dont have to buy another phone if you already have one. but you can find really cheap phones if you look.

[BUNNY53]

Bridgeline communacation.com

[Paulie'sGirl]

Originally Posted by bunny53

bridgeline communacation.com

does not work in az!!! Only securus!!

[DJzGirl]

I will look into AT&T. This is proving to be such a headache for me- this phone business. DJ sent me the visitor application forms which makes my life a little easier. All I gotta do is get a phone now.