Monthly plan -> prepaid: is Fido simcard reusable

[Negotiator]

I want to get a second phone as backup. The phone I'm using now is on a monthly plan. Another plan I'd like to get will not be monthly, since it will only be used no more than 30-50 minutes/month and so I'll go for prepaid or pay as you go.

I don't want to pay retail price of $25-$30 for a new simcard and will likely simply get a used one for ~$10, which previously was likely used on a monthly plan.

Before I buy the used card, I would like to know answers to some of the questions:

1) if the card that has been on a monthly plan can be reused for prepaid/pay as you go plan.

2) will the card be locked to the phone number it used previously or can another number be assigned to it?

3) what are the fees I can expect from Fido for activating simcard or any other fees from them "just for the heck of it"?

4) Can I change the number on a sim that already has a number assigned to it? How much will it cost?

Thanks.

[Paolo]

Once deactivated, a sim card can not be re-activated for an existing or new line EVER again. buy a new one. U dont see someone getting a NEW visa card with an old visa card number you used to have before do you? umm no.

[Negotiator]

Once deactivated, a sim card can not be re-activated for an existing or new line EVER again. buy a new one. U dont see someone getting a NEW visa card with an old visa card number you used to have before do you? umm no.

Hmm... That helps to about 20% of my post. I guess I won't be buying deactivated sims then

[aznangel]

aren't most of the sim cards sold on BST new?

i thought it was that way since my mom got a free phone from rogers as a hardware upgrade and it just came with a new sim card even though she had one already.....

so are these the ones that are usually being sold on RFD?

issues like these make me miss HK and how we can just go to any store and purchase a prepaid sim for $100 HKD and have like 200+ minutes on it and no other fees.

[Negotiator]

More answers to OP?

[Deals Deals Deals]

Rogers SIMs are $10 at the Sonystyle store.

[Lulz]

2) will the card be locked to the phone number it used previously or can another number be assigned to it?

No, you can change the number as many times as you wish.

3) what are the fees I can expect from Fido for activating simcard or any other fees from them "just for the heck of it"?

You better call Fido and find out the exact amount and if they have any promotions. But usually, promotions are for Prepaid--->Monthly...not the other way around.

4) Can I change the number on a sim that already has a number assigned to it? How much will it cost?

Huh? This is the same as question 2), no?
Phone number can be changed as many times as you wish.
With Rogers, It costs $25 to do it in store or over the phone...but only $10 to do it online where you can even choose from 10 different numbers. Fido is pretty much the same probably. You can get this fee waived if you blame on harassing calls and other annoying callers. Just tell them somebody by accident put your number in plumbing ad in newspaper and you get calls all day long about plumbing repair.

aren't most of the sim cards sold on BST new?

They are. 99.9% of them are sealed, however I guess some people want to open the seal. As long as it wasn't cut out from it's holder you are fine.

so are these the ones that are usually being sold on RFD?

RFD, eBay and HowardForums and everywhere else. People have extra SIM card and it's a nice way to make a quick $10-15.

issues like these make me miss HK and how we can just go to any store and purchase a prepaid sim for $100 HKD and have like 200+ minutes on it and no other fees.

I miss Russia and western Europe.
$1 USD (which is same thing as Canadian dollar now) gets you SIM card and around 50 minutes included.
Some people (who don't care about number) just keep buying SIM card boxes whenever their time runs out (Prepaid is a big thing in Europe and monthly plans are almost non-existent except for corporate/business people)