Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If you were thinking of switching to Consumer Cellular for your mobile phone needs, think again. If you parents ask you about them, mentioning great AARP deals with them, advise them to steer well clear. The adage 'you get what you pay for' comes to mind, but even cheap rates should not mean that a company will flat out refuse to support a product sold by them via Amazon.com.
The experience I had was simple - my parents were visiting, they were taking some weeks to drive around the country and were here on the opposite coast from where they live when my mother's phone from Consumer Cellular - a Motorola w259 - stopped working right. I look at it, see its a sim card phone, and hit the web to find out how to get a replacement. I find one here on Amazon.com, from Consumer Cellular no less, and order it up for next day delivery.
That is where the fun began. The cliff notes version is simple, once we received the phone and contacted Consumer Cellular about setting it up we were treated rudely and told they would not support it. They actually seemed insulted that we had purchased the phone from Amazon.com (and I hope that Amazon.com mines their reviews and thinks twice about providing such a poor excuse for a company a venue) and then were angry when we politely asked to escalate the issue. They were adamant that we purchase a replacement phone directly from them, stating it was the only acceptable way, and that it would take 5 business days to arrive at least. Which of course is not a feasible option for when people are on the opposite side of a continent from where they live, and are traveling. Throughout the ordeal they were condescending, demeaning, and rude.
So AARP will be hearing about this, and I am going to hit Amazon.com's customer service also to let them know about how Consumer Cellular is not the sort of company they want to partner with. Pure rip off.
Oh, and the phone. They are junk, plain and simple.
Click Here to see more reviews about:
Motorola W259 Pink with Consumer Cellular Service (No Contract)A nicely affordable choice for making occasional mobile calls, the Motorola W259 is easy to use with a comfortable, attractive design. You'll be able to stay connected and safe with Consumer Cellular's affordable nationwide service, which provides coverage just about everywhere you want to be in the United States. You'll enjoy rates as low as $10 a month for a low-use plan, and you can change your planat any time--no penalties. Learn more about Consumer Cellular service below.
The clamshell-style W259 phone has plenty of memory--enough room for all your phone numbers--plus a speakerphone to share your conversation or keep your hands free. And it's Hearing Aid Compatible.
Key Features
Easy-to-read color display (measures 1.1 x 1.1 inches with a 128 x 128-pixel resolution)
Vibrating ringer
Popular flip design protects key pad
Speakerphone
FM radio
External icons display incoming messages and battery life
USB connectivity supports mass storage capabilities (USB cable sold separately)
Access to text messaging
Hearing Aid Compatibility
Many cell phones on the market today are designed to work with (or at least not interfere with) hearing aids. The FCC regulates the classification of hearing aid compatible phones. Those that are compatible with hearing aids are identified with a rating of M3/T3 (good) or M4/T4 (excellent). The "M" stands for microphone and the "T" stands for telecoil coupling, or t-coil.
The Motorola W259 has an M3/T3 rating.
Vital Statistics The Motorola W259 weighs 3.32 ounces and measures 3.74 x 1.77 x 0.67 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 432 hours (18 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.
What's in the Box Motorola W259 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, quick start guide, user manual
Consumer Cellular Services
Consumer Cellular puts you in control of your cell phone usage with multiple plans, all designed to fit specific needs and budgets--from unique lower use rate plans that start at only $10.00 per month up to plans offering thousands of minutes. Consumer Cellular also offers discounts to AARP members. When you go through the sign-up process, you'll find out more about these special benefits.
Once you pick a plan, you can share your minutes with loved ones through our Family Share plan. It's a flexible and low-cost way to keep in touch. And you can add family members to your plan for only $10 a month per line.
You can also change your plan at any time--no hassles, no penalties, no ifs-ands-or-buts, or surprises. Plus, automated Usage Alerts help you avoid unnecessary overage charges.
Starting your service is simple and immediate. Either call Consumer Cellular at its toll-free line or activate your cell phone at your own convenience online.
Consumer Cellular service advantages include:
No Contracts, No Penalties. Nearly all cellular companies require you to sign a one or two year contract just to start your cell phone service. Not Consumer Cellular.
Risk Free Guarantee. We stand behind our service. Try us. If you're not satisfied for any reason, you can cancel your service anytime within the free trial period and pay nothing.
No Surprises. Consumer Cellular account statements are easy to read, and you may review and manage your account from the Web at any time. Best of all, the free automated Usage Alerts service monitors your usage for you--so you don't have to. You'll be notified whenever you approach your plan's included minutes, so you can upgrade in time to avoid overage charges.
It's Your Phone Number, Go ahead and Keep it. If you have an active cellular number in an area where we provide service, you can keep that same phone number when you sign up with us.
Consumer Cellular Plans
Anywhere Casual ($10 monthly fee): If you rarely use a cell phone but want the comfort and safety of owning one, then the Anywhere Casual plan is the one for you. Most customers on this plan use 20 cell phone minutes or less per month, and sometimes none at all. No minutes are included with this plan, with each minute charged at 25¢.
Anywhere 250 ($20 monthly fee): If you think you'll use the phone more often than 20 minutes, then the Anywhere 250 might be right for you. It includes 250 call time minutes (about 4 hours) at any time, on any day of the week. Additional minutes cost 25¢ per minute or you can upgrade to the next plan. Depending on how much you want to use your phone, you can choose this plan or another Consumer Cellular with more minutes. And you can always upgrade in time to avoid overage charges as well as share free minutes with loved ones for only $10.00 more per month per line.
Anywhere 500 ($30 monthly fee): This plan provides 500 call time minutes (over 8 hours) and additional minutes cost 25¢ per minute.
Anywhere 1000 ($40 monthly fee): This plan provides 1000 call time minutes (nearly 17 hours) and additional minutes cost 25¢ per minute.
Anywhere 1500 ($50 monthly fee): This plan provides 1500 call time minutes (about 25 hours) and additional minutes cost 25¢ per minute.
Anywhere 2000 ($60 monthly fee): This plan provides 2000 call time minutes (over 33 hours) and additional minutes cost 25¢ per minute.
Text Messaging
Messaging is a quick and efficient way to keep in touch with loved ones, especially your children. Consumer Cellular's messaging service lets you send and receive both text messages. You can use your cellular phone to send and receive text messages of up to 160 characters, exchange text messages with another cell phone or "message" via email.
The Standard text messaging option requires no monthly charge, but provides no pre-set number of messages--charging you 10¢ per message. You can select messaging package ranging from 100 messages a month (for $2.50) to 2000 messages (for $20)--all with additional messages beyond the package limited charged at 10¢ per message.
Click here for more information about Motorola W259 Pink with Consumer Cellular Service (No Contract)
