Prepaid phones: NET10 or Virgin Mobile and why?

[ret80soft]

I am planning to either get a NET10 or Virgin Mobile (NYSE: VM) prepaid phone. I would like your advice as to why one or the other is better but if you have a suggestion for a DIFFERENT prepaid phone please feel free to state who its from and why.

[RICH]

OMG..Virgin Mobile...on the 'Minute 2 Minute' plan. 18 cents a minute anytime. Prepaid cards last 90 days, voicemail, celebrity voices available, good service. NO extra charges. NET10, I believe is 60 days, and if you use it, there is an extra charge per day for using it.!! Do NOT use Virgin Mobile (NYSE: VM) 'auto-top up..' Do it manually, when you want. The NET10 service is using the TracFone network.! (Ecch..) A $20.00 card lasts 90 days, and minutes roll over. Excellent service anywhere...I have heard NET10 gets flaky in areas, just like TracFone, which is on the same Network.

[JoDee]

I have never used Net10. I had Virgin and for a year after I discontinued my service they continued to charge me for an automatic top up. They gave my number to someone else and continued to charge me for their minutes. It is incredibly hard to get past Simone their automated operator. So beware!