Any tips on phones?

[JerryRogers]

Hi everyone,

Agencies are now requiring a real number to book. I can’t use mine, it’s provided by my work and obviously don’t want them to see.

Any recommendations on a cheap phone and number? Maybe buy one on FB Marketplace? As for plans, the pay as you go ones still seem to have a monthly charge. Anywhere I can just get some data and top up when needed instead of paying monthly?

Thanks in advance,
Jerry

 

[IamNY]

Interesting, my job provides a phone as well but I’ve always had my personal cell. But to answer your question, a cheap unlocked burner phone with a pay as you go service is the simplest option. I’ve seen phones in Walmart for $20 or you can pick up a refurbished iPhone on Amazon as well.

 

[Duem]

Hi everyone,

Agencies are now requiring a real number to book. I can’t use mine, it’s provided by my work and obviously don’t want them to see.

Any recommendations on a cheap phone and number? Maybe buy one on FB Marketplace? As for plans, the pay as you go ones still seem to have a monthly charge. Anywhere I can just get some data and top up when needed instead of paying monthly?

Thanks in advance,
Jerry

Some phone shops offer used phones with some plans that you pay with a card, with a random name associated to the number. If you know any drug dealer maybe ask them where they get theirs.

 

[Doggyluver]

Hi everyone,

Agencies are now requiring a real number to book. I can’t use mine, it’s provided by my work and obviously don’t want them to see.

Any recommendations on a cheap phone and number? Maybe buy one on FB Marketplace? As for plans, the pay as you go ones still seem to have a monthly charge. Anywhere I can just get some data and top up when needed instead of paying monthly?

Thanks in advance,
Jerry

I used to have a second phone for this very reason. I had a flip phone that I picked up for $30. and had a plan with Bell that included texts and phone for $20./ month then I said screw it and used my phone. I have had occasions where I have received call backs and simply block that number and never deal with that agency or provider again.

 

[santy.clauz]

You could get a soft phone with a virtual number.
Google voice is a good example but unavailable in Canada.
Try RingCentral

 

[DouMan]

Getting a unlocked phone is not really a problem, then check out PC Mobile.

I load my account with a 100$ which is good for a year. If you top up your account before it expires your balance carries over.

Note that +/- 11$ is deducted every month so beware the 1st year.

They have a good app to add in your phone which is very user friendly.

I use mine just for booking, voice or text.

 

[neverbored]

You could get a soft phone with a virtual number.
Google voice is a good example but unavailable in Canada.
Try RingCentral

problem is the virtual number, if anyone is using something like truecaller, they will often see the number as not being a real number used by virtual and long distance carriers (or whatever they are called).
I ported an old rogers number I had to voip.ms and I think it costs me something like 40$ a year for the service.

 

[sigui01]

I also have a cell phone from work. I downloaded a public mobile e-sim card to my phone. I have internet data plus a phone number. I can switch from one to the other very easily and no need for a second phone. Obviously your phone must allow you to have more than one e-SIM card at a time.

 

[Sexicanboy]

Been using text+ app. for years free number never gave my cell# since. Had no issues with providers. Only 1 recognized the app and refused due to security issues. Too Bad lol

 

[Anna Bijou]

Get a second sim card if your phone supports dual SIM.

 

[Anna Bijou]

I also have a cell phone from work. I downloaded a public mobile e-sim card to my phone. I have internet data plus a phone number. I can switch from one to the other very easily and no need for a second phone. Obviously your phone must allow you to have more than one e-SIM card at a time.

Yes, that's my suggestion as well. That's what I have. Also you have to find out which providers support e-sim, as not all of them do. Fido, Bell, Virgin and chatr do. There are more I can't think of off the top of my head but I know Fizz does not.