Consumer Cellular Not Just for Older Folks

If you watch TV there is a good chance you’ve come across the Consumer Cellular commercial. In their commercials, they advertise their service as the right service for the more mature generation.

What caught my attention with Consumer Cellular way back then was their advertisement for rates as low as $10. Yes, they did have rates as low as $10, but you didn’t get very much for $10. The $10 plan was for people who only use their cell phones for emergencies (no data). That plan no longer exists. The closest to that is unlimited talk and text with 1GB of 5G data for $19 a month. Still not a bad deal.

One Person’s Consumer Cellular Experience

In 2009 I signed up for Consumer Cellular’s no-contract service (yes, I'm a long-time customer). I’m not a heavy cell phone user and didn’t want to lock into an expensive 2-year contract. I wanted a reliable phone and reliable service. I also didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg for the service, that’s why I opted for Consumer Cellular.

As an AARP member, I get a 5% discount on my service. My monthly phone bill came in at around $25 a month (including taxes and fees). The plan provided enough talk, text, and data to suit my needs. Actually, it was more than I needed, but at $25 a month I wasn’t complaining.

Three People’s Consumer Cellular Experience

My husband and our teenage daughter had different cell phone plans. My husband had an old pre-paid flip phone and my daughter had an iPhone with a 2-year contract through Verizon. Her bill alone was about $80 a month (interesting how the one person without a job has the most expensive service).

At the end of her 2-year contract, we decided to consolidate our plans under the Consumer Cellular umbrella. We purchased two new Smartphones through Consumer Cellular and modified my plan to include the two extra lines and new phones. In choosing the phones back then, my husband and daughter opted for the Motorola Moto G EXT. It was affordable and provided all the features they needed.

The monthly cell phone bill for all three phones combined was cheaper than what the Verizon plan was charging every month for one phone. We all have adequate talk, text, and data and have never gone over our allotted usage. Once or twice we received a notification text from Consumer Cellular advising us that we have used about 75% of our allotted data. That wasn’t an issue because the text came the day before our next monthly data cycle. The following day everything zeroed out and we had the full data allotment again.

Consumer Cellular Perks

We’ve been with the same plan and have never made any changes, although Consumer Cellular has. Our plan now has unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 10 GB of 5G data. My husband, the former flip phone user, cannot be separated from his new “tool.” Actually, it is becoming annoying because he’s constantly looking up information on the web to interject up-to-date information in any conversation he’s having (in a Cliff Clavin sort of way). I guess we have to take the bad with the good.

10GB of data is more than enough for our use. Between wifi and hotspots, we barely use our data allotment.

Purchasing a New Phone

When we upgraded our phones to late-model iPhones a couple of years ago, we paid for them outright (just like we did for earlier phones) rather than opt for an installment plan. Consumer Cellular does offer installment plans to make purchasing a phone easier. You also have the option of bringing your own phone to Consumer Cellular. All you need to do is request a Consumer Cellular sim card.

Overall Rating

I'm very happy with Consumer Cellular and its service. I’m not one of those people who must have a cell phone attached to her ear. I’m considered a light user. More than using it as a communication device, I use the phone to listen to audiobooks, play music, and control the Amazon Firestick when watching movies.

My husband and daughter, on the other hand, use the communication features much more than I do. All three of us are happy with our service and are glad that we switched from our prior phone service providers. If you're considering switching your plan, visit the Consumer Cellular website to view their phones and the up-to-date monthly plans.

Note: Since Consumer Cellular usually caters to us older folks, their Customer Service Reps are knowledgeable and patient. You always get an actual person when you call them for assistance.

If Consumer Cellular isn't for you, check out the List of Prepaid Providers on this site. You might find the perfect company and plan to suit your needs.

Did you know?: If you meet the Lifeline and/or Affordable Connectivity Program criteria, you qualify to receive a free device (smartphone or tablet) along with discounted or free wireless service (plans vary by state).

About the Author: LaForey is a person who was fed up with contract phone plans and opted for something more practical.

Last Modified: 3 November 2022