Don't ever buy a tracphone.

I had an automatic payment plan which requires you to have your phone on during the magical moment when tracphone updates your minutes.

If you miss that magic moment, the tracphone website directs you to about an 8 page procedure which includes sending yourself text messages, punching in multiple codes, etc.

Then when you call tech support you get some Hindu gal who calls herself 'Debbie' and they transfer you around and you never get any help.

You have been warned.

I use TracFone.

But I would NEVER get a plan with them.
I just buy a new card when my minutes are getting low-never have any problem.

I may eventually try Metro PCS.

I love my TracFone. In the Tucson, AZ area coverage is great. The phones are uber-simple - primitive web browser, camera, and texting capabilities - but I don't use my phone for those features anyways. The real seller for me is that I have spent a fraction on my TracFone service compared to what I've spent on other carriers (about $200/year as opposed to $30-$60/mo.).

I do not have an automatic payment plan, mostly because they just don't seem like good deals. Out of curiosity, why did you decide to get an automatic payment plan? You can buy minutes or airtime from your phone directly, or from the web, whether or not your phone is on.

Customer service has been hit-or-miss, but are there cell phone carriers that don't outsource their call centers or have idiots running the phones?

I think the takeaway should be "don't buy into a payment plan from a prepaid cell carrier and don't buy prepaid service from a contract carrier."

There should be nothing simpler than a prepaid plan.

With Tracphone, there is nothing more complicated.