Unlimited long distance $24.99/mo
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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Obopay is an easy way to send and receive money using your cell phone via text messaging, WAP, or a mobile application. You can also opt to connect a prepaid Mastercard to your Obopay account. Obopay works with practically all cell phones.
The bad: Obopay requires a small fee when sending or adding cash to your account via a debit card or credit card. There's also a limit on the amount of money you can transfer.
The bottom line: Obopay is an easy and convenient way to send and receive money, and the prepaid Mastercard option is a clever method of money management for teens. The service won't replace your wallet, however, and because of the many fees involved, hard cash may still be your best friend.
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/15/2007
We tested the service with two Verizon Motorola Razr V3c cell phones with the mobile Obopay application. The application's interface is laid out well, with bold, legible text and an easy-to-navigate menu. Program options include: Send Money, Get Money, Balance, History, Refer Friends, and Help. These options are fairly self-explanatory.
Sending money couldn't be easier. You enter your recipient's phone number (make sure he or she has an Obopay account, too), enter the amount of money you wish to send, enter your PIN number (which you establish with Obopay during sign-up), and hit Send. Note that there's a 10-cent fee every time you send money. This may not seem like a lot, but it could add up over time. Also, you can also send money through the Obopay Web site. Almost immediately your recipient will receive a message confirming the transaction, and alerting them to the availability of the funds. If you happen to need some cash yourself, you can also send a message to a friend or a parent via the Get Money feature. Even when sending a Get Money message, you'll have to enter your PIN.
There are other ways to add money to your Obopay account. You can add money via a debit or credit card, but you'll be charged a 1.5% fee (based on the total amount of your transfer), or transfer money from a bank account, which is free. You can even arrange for your employer to deposit your paycheck directly into your Obopay account. Combined with the prepaid Mastercard option, this is an easy way to manage your finances. You could give yourself an allowance of $200, tied to the prepaid Mastercard. Then when you run out of funds, you can easily transfer more money to the card via Obopay. Obopay funds can also be transfered to a bank account, or withdrawn via ATM by using the prepaid Mastercard.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews
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