Ways to save on text costs

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

Active Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
6,497
Reaction score
27
I'm sure that there are still few people that have to pay to send text/SMS. I want to try to help my customers save on not sending texts. I'm sensitive to people's needs. I don't want to make people text me if it costs them money to send texts.

I was thinking that if I post on my craigslist ad my Skype and Kik name, then maybe people would be ok with that. I will also mention that I've a cell phone and gets E mail rather quickly on it.

2 reasons:

1--they won't have to play phone tag when texting.

2--no need to worry about paying for texts.

Then again, if a person has to pay to send texts, then it's very likely that they will have to pay extra to use SKYPE or Kik on their phone. Or am I wrong?
 
I'd just provide your email address as well as your mobile number stating "Text messages only". You might want to also add something like:
"I typically will reply to email and text messages within ___ mins, between the hours of __ and __ (for example "within 15mins, between the hours of 8am and 10pm")
 
dereksbicycles said:
Then again, if a person has to pay to send texts, then it's very likely that they will have to pay extra to use SKYPE or Kik on their phone. Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Yes and no.

There are so many plans out there, and it is all usually negotiable.

From what I've experienced with Verizon, if you get a cheap-ass phone and get a voice-only plan for about $40/mo, unlimited texts adds about $30/mo.

No text plan, but want texts in case? Costs can go as much as $300 for a couple hundred messages.

If you get the unlimited data plan, which covers unlimited internet access, unlimited texts, and 2GB/mo max data transfer, and 700 minutes of yapping per month, it is $65 per month.

Also includes a fancy $600 smartphone that will only cost you $50 if you sign a 2-year contract.

Too many variables...and you can work out a "deal" with any of the providers.

Their "deaf user" plan includes no minutes, but unlimited text & data, and it costs the same as the 700 minute unlimited-data family plan, so what's the point of sticking with just the "deaf user" plan when you can offer & watch pretty girls borrow your phone for a couple minutes when theirs stop working...and it won't cost you anything?
 
green427 said:
Yes and no.

There are so many plans out there, and it is all usually negotiable.

From what I've experienced with Verizon, if you get a cheap-ass phone and get a voice-only plan for about $40/mo, unlimited texts adds about $30/mo.

No text plan, but want texts in case? Costs can go as much as $300 for a couple hundred messages.

If you get the unlimited data plan, which covers unlimited internet access, unlimited texts, and 2GB/mo max data transfer, and 700 minutes of yapping per month, it is $65 per month.

Also includes a fancy $600 smartphone that will only cost you $50 if you sign a 2-year contract.

Too many variables...and you can work out a "deal" with any of the providers.

Their "deaf user" plan includes no minutes, but unlimited text & data, and it costs the same as the 700 minute unlimited-data family plan, so what's the point of sticking with just the "deaf user" plan when you can offer & watch pretty girls borrow your phone for a couple minutes when theirs stop working...and it won't cost you anything?
Click to expand...

Wow. Looks like I'm switching to Verizon, cuz I'm getting robbed by t-mobile.
 
I think turbobicycle means he wants his customers to be able to use free texting. I do international texting with kokao. Free and easy sign up
 
Derek, I think you have given your customers good options with the Skype and email. These days, I don't think TOO many don't have free texting, and those who don't, can find other options to reach you (like the Skype or email you mentioned, or a friend who does have free texting.) I wouldn't worry too much on your end. You're doing fine. :)
 
Wirelessly posted

Why not ask your customers which contact or communication method they prefer??
 
Babyblue said:
Wirelessly posted

Why not ask your customers which contact or communication method they prefer??
Click to expand...

On CraigsList? This is what Derek was asking about. You must not have used it before. You post an ad for a product or service. There is no place to ask THEM how they want to contact you.
 
Wirelessly posted

AlleyCat said:
Babyblue said:
Wirelessly posted

Why not ask your customers which contact or communication method they prefer??
Click to expand...

On CraigsList? This is what Derek was asking about. You must not have used it before. You post an ad for a product or service. There is no place to ask THEM how they want to contact you.
Click to expand...

Various contact methods gives them the options he stated in his original post.
 
Wirelessly posted

dereksbicycles said:
I'm sure that there are still few people that have to pay to send text/SMS. I want to try to help my customers save on not sending texts. I'm sensitive to people's needs. I don't want to make people text me if it costs them money to send texts.

I was thinking that if I post on my craigslist ad my Skype and Kik name, then maybe people would be ok with that. I will also mention that I've a cell phone and gets E mail rather quickly on it.

2 reasons:

1--they won't have to play phone tag when texting.

2--no need to worry about paying for texts.

Then again, if a person has to pay to send texts, then it's very likely that they will have to pay extra to use SKYPE or Kik on their phone. Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Provide all the contact methods that you sugested and let them choose. If you are comfortable. It gives them a choice of what the customers prefers.
 
I don't sell any of my stuffs outside USA on craigslist. They're all locals. No worry about international texts. I just don't want local customers to pay to text. I think that is one reason why a lot of customers would prefer to not text me.

I know. I will not pay to send text just to ask someone a question or 2. I see the same from customer's view.

Good thing that I've unlimited texts. Not everyone does. Would be nice if more people does.

Yeah, I like the idea of telling customers that my E mails goes right to cell phone and will be replied to rather quickly.
 
Wirelessly posted

dereksbicycles said:
I don't sell any of my stuffs outside USA on craigslist. They're all locals. No worry about international texts. I just don't want local customers to pay to text. I think that is one reason why a lot of customers would prefer to not text me.

I know. I will not pay to send text just to ask someone a question or 2. I see the same from customer's view.

Good thing that I've unlimited texts. Not everyone does. Would be nice if more people does.

Yeah, I like the idea of telling customers that my E mails goes right to cell phone and will be replied to rather quickly.
Click to expand...

Way to go.
 
Back
Top