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.

[Lisa]

Activate it online... it is done instantly.

[Rivlas]

With Optus you can get an option of $30 credit available for 6 months. If you are near an Optus shop they will do it on the spot. I got my DH one to trial while he was on camp but he turned the phone off when he got there, said the others had them so why leave his on.
I also have a vodaphone sim in his phone and that credit is long term also.

[misty]

There is a pre-paid telstra phone sold at JB Hifi that costs $24 and comes with $10 credit.

[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..