SMS charges and rates
Standard message and data rates from your carrier. Booked does not add a fee.
SMS messages sent to you through Booked are subject to your carrier's normal message and data rates. Booked does not charge you for receiving SMS.
- On U.S. plans with unlimited texting, there is no per-message cost to you.
- On pay-per-message plans or when roaming internationally, your carrier's usual rates apply.
- Message frequency varies by shop but is typically 2 to 4 per booking (confirmation, reminder, and any changes).
Why the volume stays low
Texts cost the shop money too. SMS is a paid add-on with a monthly allowance, so shops have every reason to send only what is useful, and the messages Booked sends are a fixed, short list tied to your appointment — see What notifications you will get.
Shops also have an overnight quiet window, 9pm to 9am by default. Reminders wait until it ends; the only texts that arrive overnight confirm something you just did yourself, such as booking or cancelling at 11pm.
If cost is a concern
Book with an email instead of a phone number. Every message is available by email, and the content is the same.
If you have already booked with a phone number and would rather not receive the texts, replying STOP will end them — but read Stop receiving SMS from Booked first, because it stops your confirmations and reminders too, and it covers every shop rather than the one that texted you.
Short codes and sender numbers
Messages arrive from a shared number rather than the shop's own line. Replying to it will not reach the shop — use the phone number on your confirmation for that.
Replying to a text
STOP, CANCEL, END, QUIT and UNSUBSCRIBE are all treated as opt-out keywords, because carriers require it. HELP returns a short instruction message. Anything else gets no reply and reaches nobody — there is no inbox behind the number.