Text messages at unsociable hours

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 11:17

After I've topped up my mobile PAYG account I receive a confirmation text message from Orange. If I purchase an 'extra' I get another text message confirming that I have purchased it. These usually come through prety much straight away.

So why, oh why, do I get several more text messages on subsequent days (usually at 7am!!) to tell me that the package I've already renewed is about to expire????

I queried it with Orange and was told "the messages you have received are in relation to your Service Plan and we are legally required to send these to you."

Do other networks do this too?

Glomper · 02-03-2012, 12:37

I get a monthly Orange " You have not topped up enough for Magic Numbers" text early in the day.

Despite complaining, Orange tell me it is an automated message they cannot stop.

If I didn't have 5 free texts a day, till 2026 ! ( an old tariff I refuse to leave ) I would complain more, and leave them.

With calls at 40p minute, it wouldn't take long to use up my credit.

My other PAYG phones cost 8p, down to zero pence per minute.

It is my Family texting phone (SIM), 5 a day is adequate most of the time, and so gets left on, in case they want to text or ring me anytime.

It is also a "Golden" number SIM *****23456.

It's just annoying to have the early text message.

Just about all my other phones (SIMs) providers, I can specify a time for text messages, also from banks etc.

*Joe* · 02-03-2012, 13:19

Can't you put your phone on silent overnight? Or set it to ring for 'phone calls only' so that the texts don't disturb you?

tealady · 02-03-2012, 13:22

Change the profile on your phone to stop notifications between certain hours.

flagpole · 02-03-2012, 13:22

yos i would just create a profile called 'night' with no message alert, or a small beep

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 13:50

Thank you for your suggestions.

Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill.

Secondly the messages come at odd times - I topped up and bought the extra on 22 February but got texts early today.

I'm not trying to be awkward - honestly.

Glomper says: "Just about all my other phones (SIMs) providers, I can specify a time for text messages, also from banks etc." Do other people find this too?

tealady · 02-03-2012, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopper's mum

Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill.

Wouldn't a landline be more reliable? If they are ill, how will they be up to texting you

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by tealady

Wouldn't a landline be more reliable? If they are ill, how will they be up to texting you

Thanks for your comment - I do have a landline, but I also have a son who texts me when he's out late to let me know if he needs a lift home! Families, eh?

Also, there's the ICE facility on mobiles.

I really wanted to know if other networks do this or if it's just Orange??

flagpole · 02-03-2012, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopper's mum

Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill.

that is why it has been suggested that you silence the text message only and not the ring.

nobody is going to send an emergency text message during the night and assume you have got it. 'cum kwik yr gran as fallen down the stairz lol

'

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 16:16

Thank you Flagpole, but as I said above - I also have a son who texts me when he's out late to let me know if he needs a lift home! Families, eh?

tealady · 02-03-2012, 18:45

So you want a filter to allow certain events to happen but not others? The trouble is, you won't know what the events are until they have occurred.
If you want to be able to allow family to contact you, you can't control how they do it, so you are forced to allow any number to ring you.
If your phone does not allow you to distinguish between texts and calls or reminders, get another one.
Have to say if I were asking for a lift, I'd make sure I'd speak to someone, and not rely on a text arriving. Networks are not 100% reliable.

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 18:53

No, all I want is for Orange to stop texting me with stuff I already know about - especially at 7 in the morning, even on a Sunday!!

Son doesn't need to rely on guessing whether a text has got through for his lift - I text straight back. So if he doesn't get a reply straight away he will ring then. His texts are free, calls aren't.

Gormond · 02-03-2012, 19:11

I wish I was still sleeping at 7am

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gormond

I wish I was still sleeping at 7am

So do I!!

Gormond · 02-03-2012, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopper's mum

So do I!!

Does you phone have any option to blacklist numbers? I know Android phones can do this.

Or can you make custom alerts for certain numbers and link it to that one.

Hopper's mum · 02-03-2012, 19:23

My phone is older than I am I think! LOL

Glomper · 02-03-2012, 19:32

Perhaps a change of provider, and carry across your number ?

When I transferred numbers, it happened in just a few hours every time.

Just use up most of your Orange Credit first, that is not transferrable.

Gormond · 02-03-2012, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glomper

Perhaps a change of provider, and carry across your number ?

When I transferred numbers, it happened in just a few hours every time.

Just use up most of your Orange Credit first, that is not transferrable.

I would recommend giffgaff

fluffed · 02-03-2012, 19:40

No idea if it's an android phone but I use "Silent Night" on the android marketplace (am sure there are other apps to do the same) which lets you put the phone into silent in the hours you choose, *but* allows you to specify certain contacts which will ring as normal at any time.

Bedsit Bob · 02-03-2012, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glomper

I get a monthly Orange " You have not topped up enough for Magic Numbers" text early in the day.

I get that, and I don't even have any Magic Numbers.

rj414i · 02-03-2012, 21:02

I am with orange. I was on PAYG for about 10 years then changed to their £7 sim only last November.

I then started getting a text message off them every day telling me this and that, so i complained. Nothing changed.

I complained again a couple of days later and they all stopped, don't even get one to tell me my bill is online to check.

I think they can 'cherry pick' what you receive from them.

DarthFader · 02-03-2012, 21:03

Maybe get your son to call rather than text if it is important so that you can take the advice from the other posters about calls only?

PJ

Glomper · 02-03-2012, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bedsit Bob

I get that, and I don't even have any Magic Numbers.

I don't now, but I did have some a few years back !

Thine Wonk · 03-03-2012, 00:22

I'm on Three and they have never text at any anti-social hours, in fact no network I've ever been on has done this. I use my phone as an alarm and also have to work on call from time although I do have an on call phone on Vodafone for that, neither networks have ever sent network texts out of daytime working hours.

If texts from the network started coming in at anti-social hours I would find this infuriating.

Haruhion · 04-03-2012, 09:13

I just use MrNumber on my Android and just review any texts or calls I have specifically blocked when I get up.

02-03-2012, 11:17	#1
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	Text messages at unsociable hours After I've topped up my mobile PAYG account I receive a confirmation text message from Orange. If I purchase an 'extra' I get another text message confirming that I have purchased it. These usually come through prety much straight away. So why, oh why, do I get several more text messages on subsequent days (usually at 7am!!) to tell me that the package I've already renewed is about to expire???? I queried it with Orange and was told "the messages you have received are in relation to your Service Plan and we are legally required to send these to you." Do other networks do this too?

02-03-2012, 12:37	#2
Glomper Guest Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,061	I get a monthly Orange " You have not topped up enough for Magic Numbers" text early in the day. Despite complaining, Orange tell me it is an automated message they cannot stop. If I didn't have 5 free texts a day, till 2026 ! ( an old tariff I refuse to leave ) I would complain more, and leave them. With calls at 40p minute, it wouldn't take long to use up my credit. My other PAYG phones cost 8p, down to zero pence per minute. It is my Family texting phone (SIM), 5 a day is adequate most of the time, and so gets left on, in case they want to text or ring me anytime. It is also a "Golden" number SIM *****23456. It's just annoying to have the early text message. Just about all my other phones (SIMs) providers, I can specify a time for text messages, also from banks etc.

02-03-2012, 13:19	#3
Joe Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Coventry Posts: 3,007	Can't you put your phone on silent overnight? Or set it to ring for 'phone calls only' so that the texts don't disturb you?

02-03-2012, 13:22	#4
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	Change the profile on your phone to stop notifications between certain hours.

02-03-2012, 13:22	#5
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	yos i would just create a profile called 'night' with no message alert, or a small beep

02-03-2012, 13:50	#6
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	Thank you for your suggestions. Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill. Secondly the messages come at odd times - I topped up and bought the extra on 22 February but got texts early today. I'm not trying to be awkward - honestly. Glomper says: "Just about all my other phones (SIMs) providers, I can specify a time for text messages, also from banks etc." Do other people find this too?

02-03-2012, 14:36	#7
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	Quote: Originally Posted by Hopper's mum Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill. Wouldn't a landline be more reliable? If they are ill, how will they be up to texting you

02-03-2012, 14:43	#8
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	Quote: Originally Posted by tealady Wouldn't a landline be more reliable? If they are ill, how will they be up to texting you Thanks for your comment - I do have a landline, but I also have a son who texts me when he's out late to let me know if he needs a lift home! Families, eh? Also, there's the ICE facility on mobiles. I really wanted to know if other networks do this or if it's just Orange??

02-03-2012, 16:12	#9
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	Quote: Originally Posted by Hopper's mum Firstly I have elderly relatives so wouldn't want to (potentially) miss a call or text durintg the night in case they were ill. that is why it has been suggested that you silence the text message only and not the ring. nobody is going to send an emergency text message during the night and assume you have got it. 'cum kwik yr gran as fallen down the stairz lol '

02-03-2012, 16:16	#10
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	Thank you Flagpole, but as I said above - I also have a son who texts me when he's out late to let me know if he needs a lift home! Families, eh?

02-03-2012, 18:45	#11
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	So you want a filter to allow certain events to happen but not others? The trouble is, you won't know what the events are until they have occurred. If you want to be able to allow family to contact you, you can't control how they do it, so you are forced to allow any number to ring you. If your phone does not allow you to distinguish between texts and calls or reminders, get another one. Have to say if I were asking for a lift, I'd make sure I'd speak to someone, and not rely on a text arriving. Networks are not 100% reliable.

02-03-2012, 18:53	#12
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	No, all I want is for Orange to stop texting me with stuff I already know about - especially at 7 in the morning, even on a Sunday!! Son doesn't need to rely on guessing whether a text has got through for his lift - I text straight back. So if he doesn't get a reply straight away he will ring then. His texts are free, calls aren't.

02-03-2012, 19:11	#13
Gormond Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 15,714	I wish I was still sleeping at 7am

02-03-2012, 19:12	#14
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	Quote: Originally Posted by Gormond I wish I was still sleeping at 7am So do I!!

02-03-2012, 19:18	#15
Gormond Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 15,714	Quote: Originally Posted by Hopper's mum So do I!! Does you phone have any option to blacklist numbers? I know Android phones can do this. Or can you make custom alerts for certain numbers and link it to that one.

02-03-2012, 19:23	#16
Hopper's mum Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 594	My phone is older than I am I think! LOL

02-03-2012, 19:32	#17
Glomper Guest Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,061	Perhaps a change of provider, and carry across your number ? When I transferred numbers, it happened in just a few hours every time. Just use up most of your Orange Credit first, that is not transferrable.

02-03-2012, 19:33	#18
Gormond Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 15,714	Quote: Originally Posted by Glomper Perhaps a change of provider, and carry across your number ? When I transferred numbers, it happened in just a few hours every time. Just use up most of your Orange Credit first, that is not transferrable. I would recommend giffgaff

02-03-2012, 19:40	#19
fluffed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,789	No idea if it's an android phone but I use "Silent Night" on the android marketplace (am sure there are other apps to do the same) which lets you put the phone into silent in the hours you choose, but allows you to specify certain contacts which will ring as normal at any time.

02-03-2012, 20:09	#20
Bedsit Bob Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North West Posts: 23,325	Quote: Originally Posted by Glomper I get a monthly Orange " You have not topped up enough for Magic Numbers" text early in the day. I get that, and I don't even have any Magic Numbers.

02-03-2012, 21:02	#21
rj414i Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lydney,Gloucestershire Posts: 66	I am with orange. I was on PAYG for about 10 years then changed to their £7 sim only last November. I then started getting a text message off them every day telling me this and that, so i complained. Nothing changed. I complained again a couple of days later and they all stopped, don't even get one to tell me my bill is online to check. I think they can 'cherry pick' what you receive from them.

DS Forums

Text messages at unsociable hours

02-03-2012, 21:03	#22
DarthFader Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Posts: 3,753	Maybe get your son to call rather than text if it is important so that you can take the advice from the other posters about calls only? PJ

02-03-2012, 21:19	#23
Glomper Guest Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,061	Quote: Originally Posted by Bedsit Bob I get that, and I don't even have any Magic Numbers. I don't now, but I did have some a few years back !

03-03-2012, 00:22	#24
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,546	I'm on Three and they have never text at any anti-social hours, in fact no network I've ever been on has done this. I use my phone as an alarm and also have to work on call from time although I do have an on call phone on Vodafone for that, neither networks have ever sent network texts out of daytime working hours. If texts from the network started coming in at anti-social hours I would find this infuriating.

04-03-2012, 09:13	#25
Haruhion Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Luton Posts: 1,752	I just use MrNumber on my Android and just review any texts or calls I have specifically blocked when I get up.