topic Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone? in Electronics

What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Ainhisg — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:51:34 GMT

I am considering purchasing a Tracfone but have read horror stories of the activation process be it online or through the CS number provided. I've read of phone numbers being lost through either manner. I've read that calling the Miami number or asking the Tracfone FB reps to activate the phone is the most successful way. What is your advice? TIA!

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

gailcoco — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 00:36:37 GMT

I just bought the LG Olympus II tracfone and did the activation on my computer. It took only a few minutes to do however, it did take about 3 hours for the phone to actually activate. I then added my minutes, via the computer, and that took no time either. READ the instructions, a couple of times I screwed up because I didn't read the code right. In one part you have to call a certain number to finish the activation and it was*9595958. I kept just putting in the numbers without the asterisk. There were helpful hints about these potential problems in the package. I like this phone because it is a real smartphone and not just a wantabe. Good Luck. Gail

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Ainhisg — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:02:04 GMT

Thank you, gailchap. That is the phone I'm considering purchasing, so I appreciate your review of it, as well.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

betteb — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:05:12 GMT

Do it online. It's really easy, just follow the instructions to the letter.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

this is my nic — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:06:49 GMT

Wish I knew! I sent one back because I couldn't figure out how to do it. I actually called the phone # given on the info sheet and the person I spoke to was no help. She kept asking for different #'s, etc. I finally told her that I couldn't find what she wanted and I was sending the phone back to QVC.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

151949 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:13:21 GMT

generally I buy my Tracfones at Radio Shack and they activate it in the store for you. Totally free. When you walk out the door you are ready to use it. This summer I purchased an LG olympus from QVC and trying to activate it and get my time and min transferred over took me the better part of an entire day. Never again.

BTW i love my phone now that I have been using it all summer. But I recommend going to radio shack to get it.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Ainhisg — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:32:45 GMT

happy housewife, does Radio Shack have bundles like QVC or HSN? Or do you have to purchase a phone and the plans separately?

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

sueinsf — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:51:12 GMT

My first tracfone I did it online. I thought it pretty simple and fast and my phone was activated quickly. The second time I called the Miami number (but make sure it is the U.S. number and not a generic 800 number elsewhere). Also pretty fast and easy. So I've not had a problem either way. Not sure why some people have had so much difficulty!

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

BigOrangeKitty — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:17:59 GMT

Go to Google and type in Trac Fone Facebook. Their facebook page appears and click on Support. When that page comes up, click on 'live chat' for support. They will help activate it for you.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

BichonEmma — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:22:52 GMT

I've activated 4 different tracfones. I've done them all online and had no problems at all. I think its a pretty painless process.

I did get new #s so it may be more difficult if you want to port your number.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

151949 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:05:27 GMT

You don't run into a problem until you want to transfer your left over min - then you have to call the tracfone customer service # and the fun begins.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

SeaGal — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:13:27 GMT

I have activated a couple of these and I have found doing it on line is the easiest because you can sit there and study your move instead of having someone (seemingly) rush you thru it.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

151949 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:16:34 GMT

On 8/25/2014 Tgbtg said:
happy housewife, does Radio Shack have bundles like QVC or HSN? Or do you have to purchase a phone and the plans separately?

When you buy any tracfone you must also buy min and time - like a year and 1000 min for example. If the phone comes with an offer for triple min or whatever you do get that. When you buy them separately you can buy smaller amounts - pretty much at QVC they only offer 1 year and 1400 min on the LG olympus but if you buy separately you can buy less - for less $$ - but you'll have to buy again more often. For instance if you buy 6 months and 700 min it is cheaper but you'll have to buy again in 6 months instead of a year. However, for some folks budgeting it out in smaller packages is a better choice for them.Once you have the phone up and running you can purchase time over the phone. You can also buy data time (internet) without having to buy talk or text through tracfone's website - I just had to do that because I was spending time riding down the road using my phone to play games, which was stupid of me, I admit.( I wasn't driving - DH was).

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

151949 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:22:32 GMT

The first time you buy a tracfone it is really easy to set it up - it's after that , when you have time and min left on your current phone or want to keep your same # - then you have to call customer service and it all starts to get very tricky. Some of the reps english is so poor you can't understand anything they are saying. You are not calling anywhere in the USA, that is for sure. When I set up this Olympus I ended up calling a number at QVC and that person conference called to another # they had and got it set up, but that was after hours of frustration. When you buy at radio shack you just browse around the store and their SA does it all for you, and usually it takes about an hour.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

hckynut — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:50:41 GMT

On 8/25/2014 Tgbtg said:
I am considering purchasing a Tracfone but have read horror stories of the activation process be it online or through the CS number provided. I've read of phone numbers being lost through either manner. I've read that calling the Miami number or asking the Tracfone FB reps to activate the phone is the most successful way. What is your advice? TIA!

We've bought all of our many TracFone's from HSN. Found the easiest way is to follow the instructions that come with the phone, and step by step by step.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

sipp — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 06:57:21 GMT

I called the tracfone number on the card (from QVC) and set my dh up in 5 minutes- (transferred from older tracfone and the remaining minutes) no problem. BUT I waited to see if he liked it before trying to activate mine- When I went to activate mine- I got automated - NO human and was getting quite frustrated- tried different times, different days because the "options" didn't list transferring minutes and keeping the same number-- AND no tech option- finally DID get a tech option (at the same number BUT then to get the option I hit 0 like 30 times to get a human.----- When I activated dh's a few "codes" only like a 5 number code to put in- but with mine -- tons of "codes" and like 15 number ones at that with a hard to understand outsourced person. I used to have the Miami number but lost it- even asked them for it- they said they don't have it!! If it wasn't for the triple minutes and the year- I would have kept my old phone and sent this one back cause it kind of does what it wants and texting is a pain.We've had tracfones for YEARS- this was a real pain in the you know what.

BTW- my old phone used like two units to download wallpapers or songs ( approx. $1.99) now it's a lot more and you have to use the browser and I can't get a decent choice if I wanted it so regular old rings for me. Kinda took the fun and personality out of it!! btw_ Does anyone have the Miami number for future reference to share please? TIA!

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Tissyanne — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:03:05 GMT

We have purchased 3 different tracfones and had no problems, transferring minutes, air time and I don't have problems understanding the CS people.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

qvcaddition — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:09:52 GMT

After the second try, the one I just got from the Q was activated in 10 minutes by a live person. Then I called the Q wire number to get my 1500 minutes. No problem.

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Nuttmeg — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:15:08 GMT

On 8/25/2014 dgluvr said:
I called the tracfone number on the card (from QVC) and set my dh up in 5 minutes- (transferred from older tracfone and the remaining minutes) no problem. BUT I waited to see if he liked it before trying to activate mine- When I went to activate mine- I got automated - NO human and was getting quite frustrated- tried different times, different days because the "options" didn't list transferring minutes and keeping the same number-- AND no tech option- finally DID get a tech option (at the same number BUT then to get the option I hit 0 like 30 times to get a human.----- When I activated dh's a few "codes" only like a 5 number code to put in- but with mine -- tons of "codes" and like 15 number ones at that with a hard to understand outsourced person. I used to have the Miami number but lost it- even asked them for it- they said they don't have it!! If it wasn't for the triple minutes and the year- I would have kept my old phone and sent this one back cause it kind of does what it wants and texting is a pain.We've had tracfones for YEARS- this was a real pain in the you know what.

BTW- my old phone used like two units to download wallpapers or songs ( approx. $1.99) now it's a lot more and you have to use the browser and I can't get a decent choice if I wanted it so regular old rings for me. Kinda took the fun and personality out of it!! btw_ Does anyone have the Miami number for future reference to share please? TIA!

Check this link http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1761798-Porting-Verizon-number-to-Tracfone

Re: What is the easiest (least amount of stress) way to activate a Tracfone?

Pook — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 11:20:41 GMT

I've used both online and CS phone call to activate over the years and found it easy and quick either way. Online is the easiest and I never had a problem with the minutes I had left automatically transferring over. The only thing I ever had a problem with was years ago I had the auto renew of minutes monthly and after several years on it, the minutes didn't automatically appear and the phone was deactivated. It did take several days to get that cleared up and my phone reactivated with all the minutes I had accumulated. I ended up having to call corporate in Miami to do this but I don't have the number now. I found it online though with a search for the corporate offices of tracfone.