T-Mobile PAYG Text Message rip off

scrappy_mad

Not posted on this board before so I hope it in the right place.

I have a PAYG phone with T-Mobile. My credits were running out pretty quickly so when I topped up my account I checked out the caller history for the first time in over a year.

They openly advertise 'a text' message costing 10p. However I have been charged 20p on many occasions. This appeared on my account as two texts being sent a few seconds apart.

When I reported this to T-Mobile this is part of the reply that I received.

'I've checked your records and the reason you've been charged twice for one text message, is that the message sent is over 160 characters in length. Any text sent from your phone which contains more than 160 characters is considered to be two messages and therefore charged as two messages. I'm afraid this has always been the case, and I can see that shorter texts that have been sent have only cost you 10p inc VAT.

The only way to ensure this doesn't happen in future is just to make sure that your text messages are shorter than 160 characters. You'll then only be charged for one message sent.'


'I'm afraid this has always been the case' - Has it always been the case ???


They openly advertise all over their web site 'a text' costs 10p - no reference to even imply that ' a text' may have a limit to the amount of charachters used. In my mind 'a text' is 1 text and fail to see how thay can charge me double. I have looked all over their web site for any inclinaiton that a text may cost more than 10p each - but maybe I can't see for looking! If any one can seee it in the small print please point me in the right direction!

I am not pleased with their reply and will be contacting them about this matter shortly. But I do hope this information may help someone.

BTW can some one tell me is this 160 charachter limit per text is standard across all networks? As I am going to look for another provider once my credit runs out.

hieveryone

Yes it has always been the case. Most phones have a little counter at the top right or when you send it displays 'sending 1 of 2 etc'.

And yes it is standard on all networks.

HTH

scrappy_mad

Thanks for the reply hieveryone. It's nice to know I'm not just being fobbed off by T-Mobile.

How can they advertise 'a text' costing 10p. Without openly stating there is a limit to the charachter use within 'a text'?
How can I be expected to know that I will be charged for sending 2 texts if the message goes over 160 charachters if they do not state it. It's wrong.

redux

scrappy_mad wrote: »

I have looked all over their web site for any inclinaiton that a text may cost more than 10p each - but maybe I can't see for looking! If any one can seee it in the small print please point me in the right direction!

Search on the T-mobile website: "Your search for ‘160 characters’ returned more than 100 results. "

The first one is: http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/mobile-messaging/text-messaging/costs/

"Tip: If your text is more than 160 characters long it'll be sent as two or more messages - so it pays to keep it short and sweet!"


It is the same for all networks, and always has been, though until about 10 years ago early phones could not support this

scrappy_mad

Thanks for all of your help and advice .

My text messages must just be getting longer as I get older as I had never been aware of a 160 charachter limit. Buut I will now keep an eye on the number of pages I'm sending!!!

I stiil feel that they should have it mentioned on their main PAYG Tariff page tho' here http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/price-plans/pay-as-you-go/

Oh well. You live and learn.

PixelPound

A standard text message is 160 characters - this is the SAME on ALL networks. The Simple Messaging Service was set up this way and new mobiles simply allow long messages and then send it as multiple messages.

If you are on T-mobile PAYG, then why not switch to their Text Appeal. that way you only pay 3p per text.

The scandal really is it only costs a small fraction of a penny to send - there is a larger mark up on texts than voice and whilst initially set up as a way of testing phones has become a good income stream.