They have cancelled the phone number

grumbler

macman wrote: »

The problem with giffgaff is that the call credit expires on a monthly basis,

No, it doesn't

whaylock

Pehaps I am being cynical, but I find it odd that the only replies I have had, except one, are from people who want to tell me that 'its not ASDA's fault'. ASDA's PR department, perhaps?

Why is it not ASDA's fault. They know that there is money on the phone so why can't they put in a system to send an automatic text when the number is about to expire. Perhaps they make more money from pensioners, that way!!

Why is there no point in asking charities to put pressure on mobile phone providers about this? Perhaps they wont make so much money from pensioners if they have to change their ways!

ASDA may not think that £10 is much, set against their profits, but it is nearly 10% of some pensioners weekly income!!

Wendy

Silk

whaylock wrote: »

Why is it not ASDA's fault. They know that there is money on the phone so why can't they put in a system to send an automatic text when the number is about to expire. Perhaps they make more money from pensioners, that way!!

Why should Asda text a phone that isn't being used ?

It's not just pensioners that it happens to it's everyone

Why weren't you testing the phone and emergency text every few months or so to make sure it worked instead of laying the blame on Asda's doorstep ?

grumbler

Silk wrote: »

Why should Asda text a phone that isn't being used ?

Why not if the phone is active, although not used?
I understand though that it would be reasonable to introduce a small monthly charge for such phones.

The topic is not about the phones lying switched off in a drawer.

gjchester

whaylock wrote: »

Why is it not ASDA's fault. They know that there is money on the phone so why can't they put in a system to send an automatic text when the number is about to expire.

Technically it may not be that easy, texts have a validity time, usually 3 days. If the text fails to be delivered in that timeframe it will be deleted without delivery happening.

In real terms that means that if the phone is left turned off over that validity period then any possible text would be missed even if such a system was in place.

Most people will have upgraded at some point and been left with a "old" number that would still be hanging around otherwise. If the networks didn't cull unused numbers we would not have any mobile numbers left for anyone.

robbies_gal

noone works for the companys here theyre just pointing out all payg eventually will get turned off so to speak after no use

whaylock

For the record I checked it every week to make sure it was fully charged and fully active. We did test it from time to time but my error was forgetting how long it had been since the last test. A simple automatic reminder text would solve the problem. If they wanted to make a small charge for that service I wouldn't object I am cross because it could have put him at risk. The fact that it happens to other people doesn't make it right.

macman

grumbler wrote: »

No, it doesn't

But the goodybag does, which was what I was attempting to explain. I take your point though. The OP can just put some credit on the account without purchasing a goodybag, and so keep the phone functional for one off use.

Silk

grumbler wrote: »

Why not if the phone is active, although not used?
I understand though that it would be reasonable to introduce a small monthly charge for such phones.

The topic is not about the phones lying switched off in a drawer.

Depends on how you define "active" if you mean shows some "activity" over the 6 months such as receiving a text or call then maybe a case for it.
But if you mean active as in just turned on I don't see the point myself.

oopsadaisydoddle

whaylock wrote: »

For the record I checked it every week to make sure it was fully charged and fully active. We did test it from time to time but my error was forgetting how long it had been since the last test. A simple automatic reminder text would solve the problem. If they wanted to make a small charge for that service I wouldn't object I am cross because it could have put him at risk. The fact that it happens to other people doesn't make it right.

I understand where you're coming from but it is part of the terms of using the service when you join up.

As gjchester said, sending a text in most of these cases is futile as the accounts that don't have use within 6 months tend to be the ones thrown in a drawer and forgotten about - that is why the terms tell you you need to keep it active.

I don't always think it is about money - when i worked for Orange, if we reconnected one of these numbers, it used to ALWAYS allow us to re add the credit to the account. It used to tell us what the balance was at disconnection and ask whether we wanted to put it back on.

The only time this may not have been the case is if it had been disconnected for a very long time, but I never actually saw one that was disconnected for too long first.

Maybe worth writing to Asda and seeing if they will give you the £10 back if you explain your situation.