Inpulse Prepay with Camera Phone - Product Review
*Pay As You Go
*Unlimited Calling
*Unlimited Nights
*10 cents Per Minute All Other Calls
*All For 99 cents Every Day
*$10 Airtime Included
The first problem I encountered with the Inpulse Camera Phone was finding a Walmart customer service representative to help me. There was no display model and the hanging packages are secured so that it is next to impossible to get more information by twisting the package around. I was able to read "No long term contracts; No credit checks; No deposits" on one side of the package, but not the fine print on the other side. When the Walmart cashier was done with a customer and I asked for help she told me the CSR's do not know anything about the cell phones, because they are handled by a vendor.
Next, I found my magnifying glass and struggled to read the fine print. This contained standard disclaimers about service availability and fees for additional services such as Picture Messaging. Interesting to note is that every word on the package was in English and Spanish, except for the fine print which was only in English. Due to the thick lip on the packaging the first part of the message was impossible to read, even in good lighting and with package in hand. I also noted that "Pay As You Go" was only in English. Satisfied that I knew what I was purchasing without the aid of a salesperson~a bargain at $39.98~I made the purchase. I also purchased a $30. Airtime Refill card for $29.88.
The second problem I encountered with the Inpulse Camera Phone was getting it out of the packaging. My sharpest scissors would not cut through the lip; ditto my sharpest knife. I had to stab the package underneath the lip, using a small scissors to make the first cut that would allow the longer blades of a regular size one to slide into the package. Due to arthritis, I stopped after getting just the bottom edge and one side cut. The plastic packaging was that hard, but this enabled me to pry it apart to get the phone and accessories removed.
Inserting the battery was the next problem. Using the Quick Reference Guide, I tried following the written and picture instructions. The instructions forgot to mention pushing the little button and even pushing the little button the back cover would not easily slide off. It was as if you need 3 hands to do this step, but I managed without damaging the phone. Next up was figuring out how to attach the wall charger to the phone. Back to the QR Guide which does not mention the rubber strip that has to be removed to insert the plug and with a lucky guess I inserted it correctly. There is an arrow on the charger, but my logic would have been to hold the phone facedown and that would have been wrong. From using computers, I know how easily those fragile pins can be damaged if inserted upside down.
The Guide did not say how long a complete charge takes and I was not in the mood to tackle the much larger User Guide; plugged it and put everything aside until the next morning. Activating the phone was easy. Simply enter a 5 digit number, press send on the phone and follow instructions. The instructions told me I could get another free $10. worth of airtime if I registered for a Pay As You Go account online. I was happy knowing I would have unlimited night calling and anytime calling to other Verizon mobile to mobile phones for 80 days at just 99 cents a day. I was replacing my old cell phone because I wanted a camera phone that was also lightweight and had a flip cover. I was livid when I found out that the camera feature did not work. I had to get and pay for a "Get Pix" service.
After spending about an hour at "Get Pix" online and being unable to find the answer I wanted I decided to return the phone for a refund. Returning the phone for a refund would mean I would not get a refund for that $30. Airtime Card, so I decided to keep the phone and pay the extra "subject to change" charge for Get Pix. I never activated Get Pix because I could not find out if I was able to download my photos to my computer. The service seems to be basically a storage unit for easy Picture Messaging. I do not use text messaging and have no desire to picture message either.
The Verizon Wireless Inpulse Camera Phone is made in China by UT Starcom, model number CDM7075. The rubber strip that covers the charger plug in area does not stay closed. I would recommend the Pay As You Go service if you make a lot of nighttime calls or know many people with Verizon mobile service, as long as you remember to add airtime before your 30 days have expired. I would not recommend the phone. Even without usage the battery needs constant recharging. Imagine traveling and needing to make a call to find the phone is dead. What seemed like a bargain was a waste of money to me.
Published by Alyce Rocco
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12 Comments
Post a CommentThanks Paisley Place for the info. I am very happy with my Tracfone Prepay camera phone. I just sent my first text message~to my email. One word: test. Exactly what I wanted~the photo I took and emailed myself via phone arrived with the email. I then downloaded it to the computer and uploaded it to my blog. I did not have to sign up for any special accounts, nor will I ever lose the minutes I have already pre-paid for as happened with the Verizon plan. I wanted the convenience of a lightweight combo phone/camera and got it with the Tracfone.
One more thing, the BoostMobile phones are better deals than the one you got. My oldest bought me a BM b/c everyone we knew at the time had Nextels including her dad. I could never get him on the regular cell so I used the BM phone. It was $1 a day for unlimited beeps but ONLY if you USED IT. Otherwise, you had to use your account $$ within 90 days or recharge it (add $$). The cell fees are/were 0.10 a minute. check out boostmobile online or kajeet. You might like those better. The initial BM didn't have a camera but when my daughter changed to a reg cell, she changed mine to her former BM phone with one. I use it only b/c my bad vision so I can click someone if I am attacked or whathaveyou. I have proof of the attacker.
Alyce: The child's phone Kajeet when it 1st came out (I was among the beta testers) cost only 0.33 a day, 0.10 a min for calls and 0.10 for text messaging and parents had online access to set the phone for all calls, specific incoming/outgoing only, and within specific hours or not. Plus, it had a little camera and picture sending was like text messages. The price may have changed but it was the same as of a few months ago when I put my $10 of my daughter's allowance on it. She can call her dad's cell, home, granny's, and her sister's cell. We are the only ones that can call her too.
Excellect information to help people make a purchase descision. And I can so appreciate problem packaging and instructions.
Jacques: I have been in cell phone stores and Radio Shack. I start checking products out months before I make a purchase. I have bought my other cell phones online and was always happy with what I got. I had checked out this one online, but it cost more than at Wal-mart. I left out the part of the first time I decided to buy the phone. : > I had a reason for changing my mind a few months later and going back to buy it. Coming soon will be my review of cell phone trade-ins!
Yes, compuwise, I do have reading glasses, and do no know why the magnifying glass was with me that day. The lightening was real bad. With it, I was able to read the fine print. I did not know the camera would not work and was only for Picture Messaging. My problems were both with Wal-mart and Verizon. My sharpest scissors are able to cut open other pre-packaged plastics.
The logic in pre-paid phones in general retail stores is that there are still many people who are intimidated by entering a "phone only" store. Others think their credit is so bad that they wouldn't pass a credit check--pay-as-you-go has no credit checks. Both those groups of people are usually "easy prey". A lot of the Wal-Mart exclusive merchandise (as this may have been--I don't know) has packaging devised by Wal-Mart, usually to prevent merchandise shrink (for the uninitiated, that means "growing legs").
Alyce! You just bring out the debater in me. :)
Your troubles with Wal-mart were with Wal-Mart, not the Verizon phone. If you carry a magnifying glass already I can probably guess why you couldn't read the fine print. How sharp WERE your sharpest pair of scissors? You did finally get to some really useful information about the phone, though. Thanks!
Thnaks for the review...I was thinking of getting my son one....I will check elsewhere now.
Actually, Shamontiel, there were no CSM's walking around and the cashier suggested the same thing, explaining in great detail how I could recognize one. I used to service Walmarts, so am well aware of who they are. The cashier could have paged someone to come to me, the customer. I have a leg problem and if I had to walk around the store looking for better help, I would have kept on walking right out of it. I have used Tracfone prepay for years. Because I do not use a cellphone often enough, it works for me; I pay only for service I actually use. I had sworn I would never set foot in that particular Walmart again~I have had exactly one good interaction with a worker~but it is quite close to home.