Wireless minutes: Why lose 'em if you don't use 'em?

By David Lazarus

Oct. 17, 2013 10:30 AM PT

Richard has a question about wireless minutes: How come they can go sayonara if you don’t use them in a given month?

I’m with you, Richard. Seems to me that if you buy something, it’s yours. But that’s not always how things work in Wireless World.

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile won’t allow you roll over unused minutes from one month to the next. God forbid you start accumulating minutes and don’t have to cough up some cash on a regular basis. However, each of these providers does offer plans with unlimited minutes, so you never run out.

If rolling over minutes is important to you, AT&T might be the answer. The company allows customers to roll over unused minutes from one month to the next for up to 12 months.

You can also shop around among smaller providers, such as Pure Talk USA, which might feature rollover minutes.

For more check out Thursday’s Ask Laz video.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.