No offense, now, and yes I just skimmed your initial thread.
I stated that Tracfones were “essentially” free, since I know I purchased one with a 60-day card and could have purchase another Tracfone at the end of the period with no problem. Hence the “essentially free” comment.
I have had good luck with tracfones over the years, although their customer support is decidedly lacking, and the fact that they seem to be tied into the Verizon network (for the most part) is probably a good reason for that. It has worked reliably as far as I have been able to determine from California to Florida, and quite a few places in between, so I have continued to use their services. YMMV.
Sorry to hear you did not experience the same degree of coverage I did, but then again pretty much every carrier has a dead spot or several existing. Only way to really get beyond that limitation is a SatPhone, actually.
Anyways, just thought I would offer the thought.
*Ahem*
“...purchased one with a 60-day card and could have purchased another Tracfone at the end of the period...” -for the same price as merely purchasing another 60-day renewal card.
Sorry. Should have clarified a bit more.