Thanks Azrobert.
I will try to clarify a bit.
Zorlac says he pays $85/yr. for that - I got that idea correctly.
(Likely that phone does not get very brisk daily usage, given Tracfone's rates.)
I likely should have said instead that 'my friend was usually spending in excess of your stated $85 per YEAR, each month - while using Tracfone'.
This was done by buying their $40 refills 2-3 times per MONTH, thereby paying far more for one of their phones in daily usage; and that was even with their double or triple minute deal.
So, what I tried to explain is that it is very easy to spend that amount or more per month IF one is a daily phone user and on that carrier.
The same friend now uses a better carrier and spends under 1/2 that much AND has a 2nd phone on the same account - made possible by choosing a better carrier and ditching Tracfone.
I hope I have made this a bit clearer ?!?
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.
Here in Vermont there are only allowed 2 carriers - AT&T & whatever Verizon is called this week - all others contract with them for tower usages.
CC uses AT&T towers for the best GSM coverage in this area, but has no deposit, no contract and the best customer service of anyone I've ever heard of from what I can tell.
Of course I speak only of what I know and it applies in this area.
Anyplace else - I've no clue as carriers and rates do vary by location, sadly.