Holiday Gift Guide 2006
Emergency users:
There are people, maybe like some of your parents, grandparents, or other older relatives who still refuse to use a cell phone, but say they'd like one to have in case of an emergency. They're just going to leave the phone off sitting in their purse or glove compartment until some suitable occasion arises, and then they'll turn it on and call to tell us they'll be two hours late for dinner one Christmas. Many of us just get another handset and add them to our family plan, or hand them down one of our old phones and help them subscribe to a cheap monthly plan, but this is a waste since emergency users are where prepaid really shines. Why pay $20-30 a month for a cheap plan when most these folks will barely use $30 a year in pre-paid time.
Although there are a number of reliable prepaid services, 7-Eleven's is a clear winner for these folks. Purchased minutes don't expire for a full year, no matter how little a subscriber purchases ($25 is the smallest amount). Circle K, which recently announced a similar prepaid service is a distant second with 120 day expiration on minutes. 7-Eleven charges a flat 20 cents / minute with no daily fees or catches - one of the least expensive rates available. And they piggyback on Cingular's GSM network, ensuring a high likelihood your auntie will actually have service when her car breaks down and she needs to call for help.
For true emergency only users, 7-Eleven now sells the Nokia 1100. It offers few extras, but those would only confuse emergency callers. It also has a simple interface (Series 30) with a well laid-out keypad to further usability for cellular novices. The 1100 is durable, small, has a sharp monochrome screen (good for older people with poor eyesight), and is highly reliable. It is the perfect phone for a glove compartment or handbag.
The 1100 must be purchased at a 7-Eleven store.
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