How much will I pay 4 cheapest mobile phone?

[Mildez]

Due to recent circumstances I want my DD to have mobile when she see's her father who has turned up out of the blue after close to 8yrs of almost no contact. DD is only 9 but I want to be able to contact her or she me on these vists which start tomorrow. Budget doesn't allow me to run out and buy a decent one so how much can I expect to pay for the cheapest pre-paid mobile that I can call or DD can text me on if need be? Anyone brought one recently or can suggest a cheapo? I want one today as she goes with him tomorrow so no time for ebay specials etc. And how much is the least credit you can put on it? IfI have $25 sure as anything ex will use it all on her. Can you just get a few dollars so she can text me if she wants me to call? Or with no credit can you call and hang up before anyone answers?

[~clover~]

You need to have credit to make any sort of calls. I have a nokia prepaid, which isn't too bad that we only paid $60 for. You can get them even cheaper. Some as low as $40 I'm sure.
If you have someone else with a prepaid, they can send credit to her phone, which can be as little as $1. Minimum you can usually get is $20, but you might be able to get $10 through some companies. Not sure.

[Feijoa Mum]

Aldi have unlocked prepaid phones this week for $39 and Woolworths have simcards with I think it was $20 credit on them for $15.

[Visitor7]

I used to have a Nokia prepaid with Optus. Paid about $60 for it. With Optus you can get $10, $30, $50 or $100 credit recharges.

[Cocolove]

Do you have a discount store called Chickenfeed down your way, I seen in the catalogue this week motorola pre-paid mobiles for $20

[Lisa]

I have seen mobiles for as cheap as $19 but for the life of me I can't remember where at, I *think* it may have been K-Mart. My DH got his mobile for $49 as it just has the basics, which is all he needs. My kids have Optus pre paids and the cheapest recharge amount is $10... you chose how you want that, in either text or call credit.

[Mildez]

Thank you all for your replies. I just got one from BigW for $59 not an expense I wanted on my budget but I think she needed one when she is with ex. It came with $10 and is an optus one and has a camera so she will be happy although she only gets it when she goes to visit her Dad (if I can call him that) hopefully I can just get $1o credit at a time as thats not that much to have lost. The cheapest at Big W was $49 now just need to figure out how to activate it.

[Floweryfields]

I have a prepaid with long life credit as your option - I currently pay $60 and it lasts for 12 months if you don't use it. Also if you recharge before the end, the credit carries over.

Oh and it is a telstra prepaid.

[aussienic]

I recently bought a pre paid from Jb hi fi for $39 and it had $10 credit. I can recharge it with $20 as needed.. It is through telstra..

My son has it for when he rides to school..

Also look on Ebay as they have some great 2nd hand phones for under $50 and you just need to buy a sim from somewhere..