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Topic: SOS brand emergency cell phone (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
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SOS brand emergency cell phone
Yahoo Message Number: 2992
Anybody have any experience with SOS cell phone service? Specifically I'm interested in the amount of "no service " and "roaming" problems you have. Mt analog/digital nat'l cell service still has too many dead areas for the places we camp. By the way yet another warning to folks considering extended after market warranties. If you miss a single, even seemingly insignificant detail they will jump all over it to deny an otherwise totally legit claim. Read the fine print word for word. Claims reporting can be required as early as 5 AM Pacific time! They count on this type of oversight in the heat of the breakdown moment.

 
SOS brand emergency cell phone
Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 2996
"Anybody have any experience with SOS cell phone service?"

You mean those cell phones that can only be used to call 911 or other emergency services? Not specifically...but there's an important fact about emergency cell phone use that most people don't know and that could save you some money:

ANY cell phone, even if not "activated" or paid for, can be used to call 911.
(It's required by law, believe it or not.)

This is important because as people upgrade from older generation phones (or simply switch providers), millions of cell phones are gathering dust in drawers...and many of them eventually turn up at yard sales and flea markets for pennies on the dollar.

Case in point: I picked up a perfectly good Motorola cell phone at a flea market last year for $7, plus $5 for a matching battery and $3 for a cigarette lighter cord. Took it home, charged the battery and dialed 911--yup, it worked fine. I gave it to friends who don't have a cell phone account, but wanted one for emergencies on the road.

Now bear in mind that this is only good for calling 911. An un-activated, unpaid cell phone cannot be used to call for emergency road service or anything like that--just 911, which is for medical emergencies only. So it's not a replacement for a full-featured cell phone with a monthly bill.

But on the other hand, if you see a cell phone at a flea market for $10...why not pick it up just to keep as an emergency spare, or to give to a friend who doesn't have one? It could save a life someday. That's certainly better than letting a good phone collect dust!
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"