Pay-As-You-Go cell phone question

[MorningStar531]

i know this is probably a dumb question but I'm not all too familiar with the pay as you go/no contract cell phone concept. My question is...if I have a spare tri band cell phone, can I just buy those cell phone cards that you can now get at any 7 Eleven stores now in Los Angeles and just use that? I mean does it come with a SIM card that you can just slap on the phone and have it work? This particular way is popular in both Europe and Asia and not in United States hence my confusion. If someone can help me, I'd appreciate it. It's really for my mom, I want to get her a pay as you go cell and need this question answered. Thanks!!:)

[gangstar]

It really is that easy. Pay as you go is for users who dont make many calls and want a no commitment orice plan. The calls are quite expensive, but if you dont make many, its fine.

[nokiaman]

Are you talking about TOP UP CARDS?
If so these are just to put money onto you pay as you go cell account so you can make calls they dont come with a sim card.

But if your talking about buying a sim card pack (which will include a small amount of calling credit) then you can use that in you spare phone

you'll be able to use that sim card in a phone that is not locked to a network if using another network.

I.E If your spare phone is with AT&T but you buy a sim card from T-Mobile then it wont work in that phone until you unlock it.
Once you unlock it you can use any network sim card in it.

But if your buying a sim card from AT&T and the spare phone was from AT&T then it will work no problem.

hope i didn;t confuse you?