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  1. #1
    Jonathan
    Guest
    I got invited by sms-txt.co.uk to add their "free" site to my webpage of sms
    web based things.

    Problem is, there's something deeply bothersome at the bottom of the page,
    which are the only T&C I see:

    "Standard text messages are free, other messages the recipient would be
    charged 500p."

    Without any small print, they COULD define a non-standard text message as
    being one with the word "sesquicentennial" in, for example.

    Does it look a bit dodgy? Can't find any mention of this on the web.





    See More: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?




  2. #2
    Mehdi
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    On 28 Jul 2006 16:40:06 +0200, Jonathan wrote:

    > I got invited by sms-txt.co.uk to add their "free" site to my webpage of sms
    > web based things.
    >
    > Problem is, there's something deeply bothersome at the bottom of the page,
    > which are the only T&C I see:
    >
    > "Standard text messages are free, other messages the recipient would be
    > charged 500p."
    >
    > Without any small print, they COULD define a non-standard text message as
    > being one with the word "sesquicentennial" in, for example.
    >
    > Does it look a bit dodgy? Can't find any mention of this on the web.


    Even without analysing the T&C, don't bother with these "free" web-to-sms
    services. Sending an SMS is *not* free. SMS don't just fly out across the
    air by themselves. All these free web-to-SMS gateways are scams to one
    extend or another.



  3. #3
    Phil Anthropist
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "Jonathan" wrote:
    >I got invited by sms-txt.co.uk to add their "free" site to my webpage of
    >sms web based things.
    >
    > Problem is, there's something deeply bothersome at the bottom of the page,
    > which are the only T&C I see:
    >
    > "Standard text messages are free, other messages the recipient would be
    > charged 500p."
    >
    > Without any small print, they COULD define a non-standard text message as
    > being one with the word "sesquicentennial" in, for example.
    >
    > Does it look a bit dodgy? Can't find any mention of this on the web.


    I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and it's
    definitely free. For free faxes I use
    http://www.burnham-on-sea.co.uk/fax.html.

    --
    http://www.freeinformationcentre.co....in_the_uk.html





  4. #4
    {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    Thus spaketh Phil Anthropist:
    > "Jonathan" wrote:
    >> I got invited by sms-txt.co.uk to add their "free" site to my
    >> webpage of sms web based things.
    >>
    >> Problem is, there's something deeply bothersome at the bottom of the
    >> page, which are the only T&C I see:
    >>
    >> "Standard text messages are free, other messages the recipient would
    >> be charged 500p."
    >>
    >> Without any small print, they COULD define a non-standard text
    >> message as being one with the word "sesquicentennial" in, for
    >> example. Does it look a bit dodgy? Can't find any mention of this on
    >> the web.

    >
    > I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    > http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and
    > it's definitely free.



    But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not even
    worth trying.


    --
    DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
    PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
    Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk




  5. #5
    Phil Anthropist
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" wrote:
    > But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not even
    > worth trying.


    Sorry to hear that. Occasionally it has been busy and I have had to wait a
    short time, but mostly Cardboardfish has worked fine for me.

    --
    http://www.freeinformationcentre.co....in_the_uk.html





  6. #6
    Robert
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >> I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    >> http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and
    >> it's definitely free.

    >
    >
    > But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not even
    > worth trying.


    Not so true anymore, they upgraded systems. It's hugely better, give it a
    try.





  7. #7
    {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    Thus spaketh Robert:
    > "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote in
    > message news:[email protected]...
    >>> I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    >>> http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and
    >>> it's definitely free.

    >>
    >>
    >> But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not
    >> even worth trying.

    >
    > Not so true anymore, they upgraded systems. It's hugely better, give
    > it a try.


    LOL

    I gave it another try before I posted, and carried on trying after I
    posted, and would you believe nothing has changed, first it said there
    was a problem with their advertiser, try again in 3 minutes, then said
    currently down try again in 19 minutes, then try again in 24 minutes.

    Their service is so unreliable it is a complete joke, in the years it's
    been running, I've only managed to get a handful of messages through it,
    still haven't managed any today.


    --
    DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
    PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
    Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk




  8. #8
    {{{{{Welcome}}}}}
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    Thus spaketh {{{{{Welcome}}}}}:
    > Thus spaketh Robert:
    >> "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote in
    >> message news:[email protected]...
    >>>> I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    >>>> http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and
    >>>> it's definitely free.
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not
    >>> even worth trying.

    >>
    >> Not so true anymore, they upgraded systems. It's hugely better, give
    >> it a try.

    >
    > LOL
    >
    > I gave it another try before I posted, and carried on trying after I
    > posted, and would you believe nothing has changed, first it said there
    > was a problem with their advertiser, try again in 3 minutes, then said
    > currently down try again in 19 minutes, then try again in 24 minutes.
    >
    > Their service is so unreliable it is a complete joke, in the years
    > it's been running, I've only managed to get a handful of messages
    > through it, still haven't managed any today.



    Here we go again, thought I give it another try, did it work? Did it
    hell, typical of their piss poor service.

    Dear Internet User,

    You are receiving this error page due to a problem with
    the configuration of the advertisement javascript or html
    coding. This error is isolated to a specific site or site
    subsection. We apologize for any inconvience caused.

    Then you get the other messages, that the sending of text is down for
    anywhere between 15 and 45+ mins.


    --
    DVD rental: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/dvd
    PAYG Mobile Offers: www.southeastbirmingham.co.uk/payg
    Items for sale: www.dodgy-dealer.co.uk




  9. #9
    Robert
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > LOL
    >
    > I gave it another try before I posted, and carried on trying after I
    > posted, and would you believe nothing has changed, first it said there was
    > a problem with their advertiser, try again in 3 minutes, then said
    > currently down try again in 19 minutes, then try again in 24 minutes.
    >
    > Their service is so unreliable it is a complete joke, in the years it's
    > been running, I've only managed to get a handful of messages through it,
    > still haven't managed any today.


    You're welcome!!

    Get it? Hahaha aren't I a genius today. <rhetorical>

    It's a shame it went back to being pretty rubbish, i used it last week every
    day and it was perfectly fine at all times during the day. The problem with
    system upgrades is that people find out about them, and tell other people
    about them, as we're doing.






  10. #10
    Raiden Caribbean Cool
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this smallprint? Scammy?

    {{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:
    > Thus spaketh Robert:
    >
    >> "{{{{{Welcome}}}}}" <bhx___spam@trapped___hotmail.co.uk> wrote in
    >> message news:[email protected]...
    >>
    >>>> I don't know what they mean by a standard text message. I use
    >>>> http://www.cardboardfish.co.uk/ for free web-based SMS messages and
    >>>> it's definitely free.
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> But it is so unreliable, virtually always unable to send, it's not
    >>> even worth trying.

    >>
    >>
    >> Not so true anymore, they upgraded systems. It's hugely better, give
    >> it a try.

    >
    >
    > LOL
    >
    > I gave it another try before I posted, and carried on trying after I
    > posted, and would you believe nothing has changed, first it said there
    > was a problem with their advertiser, try again in 3 minutes, then said
    > currently down try again in 19 minutes, then try again in 24 minutes.
    >
    > Their service is so unreliable it is a complete joke, in the years it's
    > been running, I've only managed to get a handful of messages through it,
    > still haven't managed any today.


    I've sent quite a few by CBF but yeah it is very annoying when you're
    having to wait for 10 minutes. Can't moan too much though since it is
    free. It's saved me some money anyway.

    Orange have a good web to SMS service on their website if you are a
    customer. You get 30 per month. And of course you can get 10 with O2
    (don't have to be an O2 customer).



  11. #11
    nog
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:54:13 +0100, Mehdi wrote:

    ----------------------8><
    > Even without analysing the T&C, don't bother with these "free" web-to-sms
    > services. Sending an SMS is *not* free. SMS don't just fly out across the
    > air by themselves.


    Hmmm, I should think that the largest cost with SMS messages is the billing
    system. Is it only me who can remember when the networks didn't bother to
    charge for them?



  12. #12
    Martin Jay
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    In message <[email protected]>, nog
    <[email protected]> writes
    >Hmmm, I should think that the largest cost with SMS messages is the billing
    >system. Is it only me who can remember when the networks didn't bother to
    >charge for them?


    I remember when customers could only sent text messages to other
    customers on the same network!
    --
    Martin Jay
    Phone/SMS: +44 7740 191877
    Fax: +44 870 915 2124



  13. #13
    Jonathan
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "Mehdi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > On 28 Jul 2006 16:40:06 +0200, Jonathan wrote:
    >
    >> I got invited by sms-txt.co.uk to add their "free" site to my webpage of
    >> sms
    >> web based things.


    >> Does it look a bit dodgy? Can't find any mention of this on the web.

    >
    > Even without analysing the T&C, don't bother with these "free" web-to-sms
    > services. All these free web-to-SMS gateways are scams to one
    > extend or another.


    FYI, I got a reply from them: It says...

    --------------------------------
    Apologies for the delay in replying. As regards more detailed Terms
    and Conditions,
    we have a privacy policy on http://www.sms-txt.co.uk/contactus.aspx

    As regards the £5 charge mentioned on the footer on the website -
    when a person sends a message through our website, the recipient has the
    choice either to read it via our website, or directly on
    their phone. Most people opt to read it through the website, since the
    charge to read it is only 50p, however, to read it via their phone, it costs
    a premium of £5. Very few people actually opt to pay £5 to read a message,
    as you can imagine, unless it's life-or-death ... However, it's ICSTIS
    regulations to list this price on the website.
    --------------------------------

    I think if I started sending SMS to my friends that cost them either 50p or
    £5 to receive, I'd soon have no friends!*

    So, to clarify, you get to send a text for free, in return, the recipient
    has to get to a pc, log on, pay 50p, and can then read it online.
    Bargain. I think I'll stick to 5p/6p/free from my phone/skype/o2 thanks!

    (*Yes, OK, I'll do the obvious joke: "Well, I'd only have to send one text
    then!". *yawn*)





  14. #14
    Martin Jay
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    In message <[email protected]>, Jonathan
    <[email protected]> writes
    >FYI, I got a reply from them: It says...
    >
    >--------------------------------
    >Apologies for the delay in replying. As regards more detailed Terms
    >and Conditions,
    >we have a privacy policy on http://www.sms-txt.co.uk/contactus.aspx
    >
    >As regards the £5 charge mentioned on the footer on the website -
    >when a person sends a message through our website, the recipient has the
    >choice either to read it via our website, or directly on
    >their phone. Most people opt to read it through the website, since the
    >charge to read it is only 50p, however, to read it via their phone, it costs
    >a premium of £5. Very few people actually opt to pay £5 to read a message,
    >as you can imagine, unless it's life-or-death ... However, it's ICSTIS
    >regulations to list this price on the website.
    >--------------------------------
    >
    >I think if I started sending SMS to my friends that cost them either 50p or
    >£5 to receive, I'd soon have no friends!*


    That's probably the most useless service I've ever heard of.

    Looks like their security isn't very good, either. I've just visited
    the website and someone called Jade (00447790******) is in the address
    book!

    Just sent a test message to myself using a couple of old, empty, SIM
    cards. After sending the message I was invited to donate 50p:

    "Message sent successfully

    Please help to keep this service free, by making a donation of 50p from
    your paypal account to pay for the text message you just sent."

    Total con. There's nothing good to say about it.
    --
    Martin Jay
    Phone/SMS: +44 7740 191877
    Fax: +44 870 915 2124



  15. #15
    Jonathan
    Guest

    Re: Allegedly free SMS - but can someone help me work out this small print? Scammy?

    "Martin Jay" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...

    > That's probably the most useless service I've ever heard of.
    >
    > Looks like their security isn't very good, either. I've just visited the
    > website and someone called Jade (00447790******) is in the address book!


    I've just refreshed a few times and picked up nearly 30 random numbers -
    Andy, Jake, Dean, Bob, Sophie, Dad etc etc

    I spoke to Andy and Jake as I'm now following up to Ofcom and You and
    Yours - Andy realised it was a scam only after the 500p charge, Jake hadn't
    even realised the charge was there. Both VERY unhappy, but happy I called,
    and they are going to follow up to http://www.ofcom.org.uk/





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