Cellular service

[davidb81]

I was just wondering, Has anyone had bad experiences with their cell service after filing bk? I just realized that would really suck to lose my service because It would not be likely that I would get service with someone else in the near future. When my contract is up will they allow me to renew? Are people allowed to get cellular service after filing bk?

[hhou812hh]

you will probably need to give them a deposit to sign up for a new cell service after filing bk.

[Lightning]

Tracfone offers very inexpensive cell service for emergencies without any credit checks.

[CCareEvil]

If you are current on your bills, then there will not be a problem. Even when your contract expires you stay on the plan far as long as you pay each month. If you want a new plan, and stay with the same carrier they probably are not going to do a credit check.

[Lightning]

Cutting out a fixed cell phone plan is a great way to save money. See my previous post. I spend about $10 a month for one phone, and the phone itself was only $40.

[Minnymouth]

Your right Lightening,
I use Tracphone also. ......
I need a cell phone for emergency use, not for everyday chit-chat.
Tracphone is great for this. Cost me about $8.00 a phone for access (pay once a year), get 4 hours talking time (more than I need) and still have the usage of a cell phone when I need it.
I used to pay the "monthy service" thing. NO MORE.....
Works great for me...........have my cake and eat it too.
Lots of my friends have them for traveling only also.

Minny

[davidb81]

Thanks for all the great advice folks!!!

[InDebtInMD]

My wife and I filed for BK in May and had our 341 on 6/17.

I called Verizon and took them up on an offer to get new cell phones for my wife and I in the middle of July. The phones were pretty much free, and the plan is actually somewhat better than what I had before - although to get the free phones you have to sign up for 2 years.

I know they did a credit check, and was worried that they may tell me to take a hike, but everything went through OK.

We have also changed our landline phone service to a new provider (better deal and sign up bonus) in July with no problems.

Finally, two weeks ago my wife and I opened a checking account at a credit union where we already have a savings account. Again, I was worried that they may deny us due to the BK, but everything went through OK. (maybe it helps that they hold the note on our van and we have been paying that).

[davidb81]

thats great news congrats!! Thanks for the info. wow have you even been discharged yet??

[InDebtInMD]

no discharge yet. Our deadline for objections to discharge is 15-Aug-05, so it is coming up fast.

I was hesitant about making these changes before the discharge, but after I thought about it I was only trying to save a few $$ monthly, and do things that would save us money - so I went ahead and did it.

I went back to Verizon for my landline service because they had an offer where you get a $100 rebate check (still waiting for that )

Other than that, we have just been catching up on maintenance on the cars and on the house that we could not afford as all of our money and then some was going to pay the minimums on the cards.

As I stated before, the only increase in expenses was changing from dial-up internet to broadband. Since our credit union gives free internet access with bill pay, I wanted the broadband connection so I can easily do my banking online. In addition, I know I'll be spending a lot of time on the credit repair forums and with credit monitoring services once my discharge is through.

Our other project is to empty out a storage shed we have been renting at $75 per month by the end of August. We are making progress, and really need to go thru this stuff anyway.

It has actually been a very stress-free summer - I don't dread the phone ringing, going to the mailbox, etc. The best summer I've had in years....