Is my friend being a cf

[bagpuss90]

I got a text from a friend saying she had decided to take a break from WhatsApp but would still be texting me. Okay no problem with that - except she sends me several pictures messages a day- pics of her dogs , jokes etc. I get charged for picture messages sent via text. Over the last few days it’s cost me around 3 quid a day. I’ve politely pointed this out . But the response I’ve got is that we don’t ever really meet up now due to the distance and it’s not much to invest in a friendship . I’ve not had a great year financially - trying to plan for semi retirement which has now been delayed. At this rate it’ll be costing about 100 quid a month , which to my mind is a total waste of much needed cash. She does have a history of depression. The last thing I want to do is upset her and she is very sensitive . I don’t want to block her. I’m happy to text and chat - but bloody hell

It should cost her to send them, not you to receive them?

I'd stop opening the texts tbh
Set up fb messenger instead?

Yes pp is right

Don't open them!

Why on earth are you being charged to receive them, I've never heard of that?? Put a spend cap on then they won't come through if they're costing money

I'm also charged if I receive an MMS via text. Block her and tell her if she wants to send anything to do it on WhatsApp. If she can text, she can do that just as easily.

Doesn't make sense, you shouldn't be charged but I can't understand why she'd cancel WhatsApp to send via MMS where SHE will be charged. Weird

dementedpixie She won’t use messenger

V weird to be charged for receiving images, would seek a better deal from your telecoms provider!

That said, friend is being U. Would ask her again not to send pictures.

Tell her you're not going to open her texts then and she'll have to choose a different way to communicate

Put a cap on your bill so you don’t get them/ can’t open them.

Annoying but easily sorted.

Sending dog pics/jokes/memes isn’t ‘maintaining friendship’ anyway

I’ve just occurred to me that she may not realised she’s charged too

I’m not sure why shes come off WhatsApp

Just send one message saying its costing money you don't have, and if she wants to text thats fine but if she sends any more pics then you'll have to block her there as you can't afford it.

Surely just block her

Oh for goodness sake! Of course you shouldn't be charged. So you sort that out with your provider.

Your friend can send you whatever she wants. You don't have to engage or respond.

She's not being a CF.

@JackieTheFart

Put a cap on your bill so you don’t get them/ can’t open them.

Annoying but easily sorted.

This!

@Sparklfairy

Just send one message saying its costing money you don't have, and if she wants to text thats fine but if she sends any more pics then you'll have to block her there as you can't afford it.

Or figure out what bizarre package OP has that she'a charged for what other people send her? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Agree with the ones saying you need to sort out getting charged for things people sending!!

She's not done anything wrong, you need to sort your phone out.
Do you both have iPhones?

I would block her for sending me daily pictures of her dogs, charge or no charge.

I’ve never heard of anyone being charged to receive a message, how strange. I’d probably find a different provider tbh.

@bagpuss90

She either needs to find another SM she will use, or you block her so that her messages cannot get through.

You've already 'explained' to her that it actually costs you money to receive her bloody 'random' crappy pics etc, and the CF tells you ''It's a small price to pay for a friendship ??

I'd be Whats App ing her a message saying,

'' Unfortunately, I can now only receive your messages and pictures through Whats App because I would struggle financially to pay approx £100 per month,(which is what it costs me to see your messages and your pictures), and I know you'd hate to see a good friend struggle unnecessarily, so I've had to block them on my phone.
If you can find another 'free' SM app you'd like to use instead, let me know and we can try it.

OP, are you sure you're being charged to receive messages? I don't remember that even in the early days of mobile phones. Who's your provider?