Telkom Mobile "5 for 50" SMS farce

[Azimuth]

Just a warning to everyone out there that this promotion is a cheat. I sent a *ton* of messages, relying on the "send 5 get 50 free" promotion.

It would seem you need to send 5-6 messages then *wait* for a confirmation SMS that you have 50 free to use.

This is bullocks and I'll be demanding my money back.

Edit: Case # 7627702

 

[MickeyD]

I went and read most of the relevant T&C's on the TM website and cannot find any mention of the *wait*.

Ask them to provide you with a link to the relevant downloadable document on the web site...

 

[Paul Hjul]

I'd definitely take the matter up further, especially if it is a post paid account and a sizable number of SMSes are in question
I can understand a bit of lag on their billing systems and wouldn't be overly phased by occasionally being charged for 6 or 7 SMSes but on a significant number of messages it is a big deal and needs to be fixed by the TM folks

 

[upup]

I only get charge for 5, the rest for free.
Just make sure they got it so on their system.

 

[Azimuth]

I sent a couple hundred, pretty sure I would only be charged for 20. It's not a lot of money but the idea of it annoys me.

@Robertvv: how many did you send in one go?

 

[Azimuth]

I will only be getting a refund for 50 SMS. The rest I will be billed for. In very small writing on the magazine ad for my contract, it states one can only receive 50 free SMS *per day*. The SMS on the SmartPlan packages therefore aren't capped.

Back to IM I guess. SMS is just a rip off and can be a runaway cost. I wish I got my contract sooner when TM were still doing unlimited SMS on their SmartPlan deals.

There is certainly a trend of diminishing value with TM. First they remove the unlimited SMS and then they halve the all-net data from 300MB to 150MB. Sigh.

It's not all doom and gloom though. Still far better than being an MTN or Vodacom contract subscriber.

I would feel better if there is more transparency with what is being offered though...

 

[nicroets]

I have a project that sends between 500 to 1000 SMSs per month. For the first few months, I send them using the free airtime of a prepaid SIM. For it to work, I reload airtime very 5 days in amounts small enough so that I'm sure I won't forfeit any free airtime.

After a few months, I pay R210 "normal" airtime for 1000 SMSs. That works out at 1420 SMSs for every R210 hard cash = 14.8c per SMS.

And if I buy data bundles with the "normal" airtime, the SMSs are even cheaper (depending on how you value 3G data).

 

[RichardG]

Didn't know people still make use of sms with so many apps now available on the market.

 

[kingrob]

LOL

 

[OGroteKoning]

Didn't know people still make use of sms with so many apps now available on the market.

It is being pushed down the throats of contract subscribers. I use it because I get 500 per month. In a "good" month, I manage about 100 smses. I would like to sell the other 400 though, but there is no mechanism for it sadly.

 

[RichardG]

It is being pushed down the throats of contract subscribers. I use it because I get 500 per month. In a "good" month, I manage about 100 smses. I would like to sell the other 400 though, but there is no mechanism for it sadly.

I rarely ever send 1 SMS unless it is an emergency when I am unable to get hold of someone. Doesn't mean that it is bolt-on to your contract that they should encourage you to use it. Back in the day it was the main revenue stream for many providers. How much is the cost now days to send an SMS. I remember with Vodacom paying 85 c if I recall correctly.

Some service providers give you 1000 free sms. .

I wonder if people actually still buy SMS vouchers they were popular in the day 100 sms for R30 (if not mistaken).

 

[Telkom]

Just a warning to everyone out there that this promotion is a cheat. I sent a *ton* of messages, relying on the "send 5 get 50 free" promotion.

It would seem you need to send 5-6 messages then *wait* for a confirmation SMS that you have 50 free to use.

This is bullocks and I'll be demanding my money back.

Edit: Case # 7627702

Hi Azimuth

We have contacted you regarding case: 7627702 and you have requested that we call you tomorrow morning. As advised telephonically, we have sent you the feedback via email as well. We will contact you again tomorrow to explain more on the feedback provided.

Regards
Telkom Mobile

 

[Azimuth]

Didn't know people still make use of sms with so many apps now available on the market.

Telegram uses it to spread the love to your contacts.

 

[rph72]

I have a project that sends between 500 to 1000 SMSs per month. For the first few months, I send them using the free airtime of a prepaid SIM. For it to work, I reload airtime very 5 days in amounts small enough so that I'm sure I won't forfeit any free airtime.

After a few months, I pay R210 "normal" airtime for 1000 SMSs. That works out at 1420 SMSs for every R210 hard cash = 14.8c per SMS.

And if I buy data bundles with the "normal" airtime, the SMSs are even cheaper (depending on how you value 3G data).

Educate me. What kind of projects need so many SMS's? Rica promotion?

 

[nicroets]

Educate me. What kind of projects need so many SMS's? Rica promotion?

Notifying residents of a suburb that they have guests. I have good relationships with most of them. Those who find it annoying, are unsubscribed.

I suppose I could add XMPP support to my app. Then I can migrate people with gmail addresses to Google Talk / Hangouts. But many people don't have hangouts on their phones. And a data connection is not as reliable as SMS, For this application it's important that the message is delivered ASAP.

 

[rph72]

Notifying residents of a suburb that they have guests. I have good relationships with most of them. Those who find it annoying, are unsubscribed.

I suppose I could add XMPP support to my app. Then I can migrate people with gmail addresses to Google Talk / Hangouts. But many people don't have hangouts on their phones. And a data connection is not as reliable as SMS, For this application it's important that the message is delivered ASAP.

OK, thanks.

 

[Telkom]

Hi all

Depending on the package that you subscribed to, you will only be charged for the first 5 SMS's sent. The other 50 SMS's will be sent for free. If you attempt to send another SMS after sending the 50 sms's on the same day then you will be charged 0.50 cents per SMS.

Regards
Telkom Mobile

 

[Azimuth]

Kinda shocking this isn't explained anywhere. Anyway, thanks for setting the record straight.

 

[Telkom]

Kinda shocking this isn't explained anywhere. Anyway, that's for setting the record straight.

Hi Azimuth

We tried to contact you this morning with regards to case 7627702 and your phone rings then prompt to voicemail. Please reply to the email with the requested details.

Regards
Telkom Mobile