Spark prepaid data accounting way too slow

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Gordy7

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#192243 2-Mar-2016 20:07

Just discovered that my phone 1GB prepaid data had run out and I was 5MB into casual data usage.

Bought a new 1GB prepaid but found that a further 22MB casual data was used using my money.

Spark needs to improve their prepaid accounting speed or use some sort of data carry forward.

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

johnr

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#1505210 2-Mar-2016 20:31

This should be real time

PhantomNVD

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#1505291 2-Mar-2016 23:43

Don't they have some sort of 'spend control' in your prepay account setup? We have my wife's at $1, as she kept sending pic messages, which on an iPhone use wifi data if sent TO an iPhone (messenger) but 50c if the recipient has messenger turned off or uses android/Windows... Ring and ask about that for next time this happens?

Gordy7

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#1505302 3-Mar-2016 02:35

I received the usual Spark email message when I had used 80% of my 1GB, when I topped up with $20. Then I had something like $26 or $29. Now of course I am down to only a few cents.

A while later I received the 100% used email. Used my Spark app on my Android phone to buy the new 1GB when I noticed the 5MB casual used.

A short while later I received a further Spark email saying that I was all good to go with the 1GB.

Kept checking the Spark app and the casual data usage kept increasing for quite some time before the new 1GB appeared.

Might see if I can turn the casual data usage off.

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

Jase2985

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#1505305 3-Mar-2016 05:16

get a data counter app for your phone, and/or if android set a data limit/warning in the settings. ive found it to be very accurate and great for preventing unwanted spending

keewee01

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#1505328 3-Mar-2016 08:44

Gordy7: I received the usual Spark email message when I had used 80% of my 1GB, when I topped up with $20. Then I had something like $26 or $29. Now of course I am down to only a few cents.

A while later I received the 100% used email. Used my Spark app on my Android phone to buy the new 1GB when I noticed the 5MB casual used.

A short while later I received a further Spark email saying that I was all good to go with the 1GB.

Kept checking the Spark app and the casual data usage kept increasing for quite some time before the new 1GB appeared.

Might see if I can turn the casual data usage off.

I find the emails come through hours after being triggered - they are certainly not received in realtime. Luckily we have a large pool of data, but if someone is plowing through their allotment of data at a furious rate then it doesn't allow me to jump on it as it happens - sometimes they've chewed through another couple of GB before the email comes through - if they've not already been stopped by AirWatch .

old3eyes

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#1505329 3-Mar-2016 08:47

You should have gotten a text at the 80% mark then 100 % mark. I always have done

Regards,

Old3eyes

Jase2985

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#1505345 3-Mar-2016 09:12

old3eyes:

You should have gotten a text at the 80% mark then 100 % mark. I always have done

you do, the problem is its not real time, it can be hours later

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Gordy7

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#1505348 3-Mar-2016 09:24

Jase2985:
old3eyes:

You should have gotten a text at the 80% mark then 100 % mark. I always have done

you do, the problem is its not real time, it can be hours later

I did get the 80% and 100% texts (may have said emails earlier)

The real issue is that even after a text saying that my new 1GB was ready to go, casual data kept increasing and my $balance kept going down.

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

old3eyes

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#1505494 3-Mar-2016 13:01

Jase2985:

old3eyes:

You should have gotten a text at the 80% mark then 100 % mark. I always have done

you do, the problem is its not real time, it can be hours later

Seemed pretty realtime when i get them, about 5 minutes later....

Regards,

Old3eyes

1eStar

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#1506106 4-Mar-2016 17:21

Move to Skinny. If you have an active data pack, casual data is disabled. Smart

doug3

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#1506194 4-Mar-2016 20:08

Where are these Skinny data packs? I can't find any mention of data packs at skinny.co.nz or in the Skinny App, that you can use with your phone.

michaelmurfy

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#1506217 4-Mar-2016 20:43

doug3: Where are these Skinny data packs? I can't find any mention of data packs at skinny.co.nz or in the Skinny App, that you can use with your phone.

Under data addons in the app. Skinny no-longer have casual data which is great. Saved my behind the other day when a rogue app used all my data.

Accounting on Skinny is almost real time. Spark can be some time behind but it is good practise to know how much you've got and just avoid surprised by adding a pack in advance if you know you're about to run out.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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