By John Donovan
Monday, 3 October 2011
I have had Orange pay monthly and “pay as you go” phones for many years, but not for much longer.
I was awaken at 4.36am this morning by an incoming text message from Orange to my “pay as you go” phone notifying me of improvements to the phone, which would be implemented by turning it off and then back on.
I was of course less than overjoyed at being woken half way through the night, not for an emergency, as one would expect when receiving a call in the early hours, but by an unsolicited piece of self-serving information by a mobile phone company. The phone lit up and there was an audible warning of an incoming message.
Not knowing what on earth has happened to prompt the incoming message at such an ungodly hour, I had to get up, turn on the light, find my reading glasses etc. The commotion woke up the dog and my 94 year old father.
Needless to say, it took me a long time to go back to sleep, particularly when I was so annoyed. The last time I received a call in the early hours it had been to inform me of the death of a close relative.
I have previously received unwelcome early morning promotional messages from Orange, but never as early as to day.
Under the circumstances, I would warn against anyone purchasing an Orange mobile phone unless you don’t mind have your nights sleep ruined by a company, which in my experience apparently has no regard for the health of its customers.
A load of unnecessary stress.
I do want to be able to receive overnight messages and calls in cases of emergency from people to whom I have entrusted my number, but not unsolicited, unwanted, self-serving messages from a mobile phone company, often promoting top ups and so called “Magic Numbers”.
I cannot think of any marketing initiative that will drive customers away as quickly. Whoever is responsible should be sacked.
I have no doubt that many other Orange customers have received these overnight messages. If you have done so and are annoyed as me, please get into contact. I might decide to set up an appropriate gripe website.
Don’t worry Shell, you will remain the main focus of my attention.
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