So my mom's phone is not long for this world

[conuly]

Does anybody have an old cell in good condition that they're not using? I'm willing to pay shipping and maybe a little more. Not that much more, or else I'd just buy a new phone. Smartphone or dumb phone, so long as she can call and easily text and there are no issues like a too-short battery life or a cracked screen.

Comments

[saturnofthemoon]

I just switched phones and have an iPhone six that I'm not using. The only issue I know of is that the screen freezes if you make a phone call while it's charging.

[conuly]

I'll ask my mom if she's okay with that and get back to you tomorrow after I drop the dog off at the groomer, then.

[kengr]

I've got some ancient Kyocera phones. They work with verizon, but you have to text using the phone keypad (which is why my current phone has a keyboard).

They work, and the battery is easily swappable (handy if you want to carry a spare)

[conuly]

No, phone keypad texting is a no-go. That's what her current phone uses, which was fine when she never texted, but now she's fed up. Plus her fine motor skills are still a little wonky. Thanks, though. (You can probably still donate it away to one of those organizations that collects phones for women at risk of domestic violence.)

[lusentoj]

I have an "old" smartphone (actually it's pretty new), but it's Japanese so it might not work with foreign SIM cards...? It's meant for old people so it has a simple layout and big on-screen buttons and stuff. I'm assuming the language can be switched to English and can double-check it if you want, but saturnofthemoon's is probably a much better choice lol. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it as far as I know, and I can send a charger with it.

[zesty_pinto]

I've got an old Droid original. Might be too antique to be useful though, especially if there are specific non-proprietary apps associated with her texting.

I've got an HTC M8 as well, but I don't recommend it; they're decent models, but the microUSB port has a tendency to break down quickly; it was the final straw that made me switch to a USB-C format, in fact.

I am considering if it's worth it to switch to the newest Samsung, so if that happens then I'll have an LG G5 up for grabs you're welcome to offer as backup to her in that case.

[marahmarie]

I have so many phones, dude. PM me what you're looking for/at/specs/capabilities, etc if you're still needing one. I've already offered the entire lot to anyone who needs one on my DW (that was months ago) but no one's bitten.

They're mostly pay as you go. The best one I have is probably smaller and a bit long in the Android tooth but might work just fine for her.

[conuly]

She said yes to this, so I'll go with that, thank you. My address is at a locked post at the top of my journal, you should be able to see that.

[conuly]

I think we're better off without a pay-as-you-go, but we could use an extra phone as backup. People in this family have an amazing tendency to lose or ruin phones (via dropping in the toilet, getting into sudden public water fights, shellacking... actually, that was all the same person, but still.)

[conuly]

If you do switch, poke me - we always need backup phones due to how quickly we lose/break them.

[conuly]

I think I'm good. I'm not sure shipping from Japan is cost effective!

[saturnofthemoon]

Okay. I have to find a charging cable first and wipe the data. Should have it mailed out some time early next week. Is that okay?

[lusentoj]

EMS (4-day shipping) would end up at 26 USD or less I think (I tried to over-estimate on how much it weighs), but it's fine!

[conuly]

Absolutely. Let me know how much the shipping is/was and I'll paypal it back or - if you prefer! - donate the same amount to CityHarvest or whatever you like.

[conuly]

It's good, though, because other folks offered as well :)

[marahmarie]

I'm not sure where to go with that but am charging up two of the best phones laying around and will check if they're pay as you go, or not (they both probably are). I should really really really start selling on eBay again sometime soon so if you don't want one they'll probably just go that way.

[marahmarie]

So I charged and checked them and they're pay as you go (Tracfone). One's an LG Fuel and I need to check the other; it's bigger and has more recent Android (though probably still 3-4 versions behind current). The neat thing is you can just throw a month's worth of minutes/data on for maybe less than $35, so they're a quick fill-in after the good phone gets lost but before you have time/money to get the next one. Let me know if you want one (or both; it's pretty much all the same to me).

[conuly]

My mom is in a super bitchy mood due to recent (flocked) events, so I think I'll pass on asking her if she wants a spare pay-as-you-go. She's sure to turn that into some sort of bizarre declaration that we dont' really love her.

[marahmarie]

Of course. Offer's always open (well, as long as I still haven't sold them) if you or anyone else you know ever needs one. :)