In case my Verizon cell phone doesn't function in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (I intend to ask the Verizon people tomorrow), where can I rent--my first choice-- or buy (if it's not too much money) a cell phone? I'll be there only two weeks but will feel safer having a phone, in case something happens to the rental car on the highway, etc.
I'll be in Halifax and can pick up a phone there--if it is not prohibitively expensive. Any suggestions where I might rent/buy one.
Renting/Buying a cell phone during my 2-weeks in NS & NF
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I have Verizon Wireless and it worked great all over NS.
artsbabe, thanks. Did you have to notify Verizon before departing? I read a thread, either on this site or the Fodor Nova Scotia site, where some one said he arranged with Verizon beforehand, yet his phone never worked. Or maybe it was a she; I'm not sure. Anyway, great news; thanks again.
No, I didn't notify them, but I called them to see if I could use the phone & service in NS. I don't know if there are different rules re Canada for different phone packages; I have nationwide (US) flat fee package so I don't pay extra for roaming in the US. In Canada, which my package doesn't cover, there is a per minute charge -- I think $.75. In any event, it all worked, and I used my phone for a few things but mostly had it for emergencies.
I bought a phone for $100 and they gave me $50 worth of free minutes.
You can buy a Virgin Mobile pay per call phone at a Walmart. I think the phone cost abour $24.00 and the phone card $20. I think the per minute rate is 30 cents.
I had arranged with Verizon to use my phone in NF, but I couldn't!
My sister has Verizon, and she called them beforehand. She had cell service in most of Nova Scotia, including parts of Cape Breton, and in some spots where I (with T-Mobile) did not. I think her rate was about 70 cents a minute. I was warned by T-Mobile to keep the phone off unless I needed it, because I would get charged for the minutes callers spent leaving voicemails if it was on, but not if it was off.
If you just want it for emergencies, I'd say just take your own phone. I bought a calling card for $10 at a Walmart in Nova Scotia, and it was about 5 cents a minute to call from hotel rooms, etc. Much cheaper for non-emergencies.