Shoutbox

I'm using Plus version 3.01.94 on version 6.2 of MSN Messenger.  I frequently leave it signed in while off doing other things and I like to use the auto-messages to let people know what I'm up to, and whether or not to call my house if they need me. However, after setting the personalized status and typing up the auto message, I'll come back to the computer and find my status as "away" and all the people who have messaged me have recieved no auto message at all. Sometimes it works for one person, and then doesn't for anyone else and sometimes it doesn't work at all. I've already checked on whether I've accidentally set it up to only send to certain people, but that's not the case. Has anyone else had this problem? I haven't seen anything about it on the boards.