Used Cell Phone Question / Idea

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Used Cell Phone Question / Idea

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:02:14 AM EDT

I ordered up new cell phones for my wife and myself last night
and I was thinking about what to do with the old ones.

My understanding is that cellphones even without
a contract are supposed to be able to dial 911.

Am I correct in that understanding?

If so I was thinking I can stick them in my car along with a car
charger in case something happened to my phone or even
if needed I could Give it to someone so they can call 911.

Thoughts?

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:04:13 AM EDT

[#1]

There are several organizations that you can donate them to just for that purpose. They will still dial 911.

Just going to have to keep the batteries charged for that "jsut in case."

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:07:48 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
There are several organizations that you can donate them to just for that purpose. They will still dial 911.

Just going to have to keep the batteries charged for that "jsut in case."

Yes I know various organizations take them (and we have donated them in the past)

My thoughts were to hold one level back and keep them in our vehicles Just in case.
I actually wish I would have kept the last set they were simpler to use.

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:09:14 AM EDT

[#3]

Yep, that should work.

Try dialing with the old phone and it may give you a message about emergency use...I've gotten it before.

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:12:37 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Yep, that should work.

Try dialing with the old phone and it may give you a message about emergency use...I've gotten it before.

Thank you

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:13:39 AM EDT

[#5]

Side note: Keep an old land line phone around the house for the same reason. (Power outage, cell towers overloaded, etc.).

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:14:47 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yep, that should work.

Try dialing with the old phone and it may give you a message about emergency use...I've gotten it before.

Thank you

To add, my old regional carrier would let you actually use the phone if you had a credit card. The fee was crazy, but for an urgent non-emergency it might be worth it. I don't know of the national cell phone companies do this or not though...someone here is bound to know.

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:16:22 AM EDT

[#7]

They also make good additions to your bug-out bag.

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:21:03 AM EDT

[#8]

Each time we upgrade the phones get more complex.

The though is a simpler phone for emergencies.
(and one that could be given away if needed)

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:24:58 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Each time we upgrade the phones get more complex.

The though is a simpler phone for emergencies.

(and one that could be given away if needed)

I bet you could find some extremely cheap plain old phones on craigslist if you really just want a simple throw around phone.

Posted: 5/18/2012 7:32:31 AM EDT

[#10]

I took a leftover Verizon phone, spent ~$25 for prepaid service, and activated it on Page Plus website.
Now my kids have a beater phone. If they lose or break it, no big deal.

Posted: 5/18/2012 8:05:55 AM EDT

[#11]

If you have a smartphone, even an old one, & give it away, make sure you've scrubbed the data before handing it off.

For fun, pull the SIM chip out of an old GSM phone, & call 911 to test the phone. Refuse to leave your name. Be sure to turn the phone off afterwards & change location.

Gig 'em,

backbencher

Posted: 5/18/2012 8:16:05 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
I took a leftover Verizon phone, spent ~$25 for prepaid service, and activated it on Page Plus website.
Now my kids have a beater phone. If they lose or break it, no big deal.

Do they expire?

Posted: 5/18/2012 8:22:53 AM EDT

[#13]

If it's an android smartphone you can put a Cyanogen or MIUI or Liberty build on it, install talkatone or sipdroid and have free phone calls where you can find free wifi.

Posted: 5/18/2012 8:31:07 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
If it's an android smartphone you can put a Cyanogen or MIUI or Liberty build on it, install talkatone or sipdroid and have free phone calls where you can find free wifi.

The new ones are Android (I finally got my wife to see the value in a smart phone for her)

The old ones are Older Older smart phones e72 & e71.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Used Cell Phone Question / Idea

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