I find it invasive - particularly when the message comes through in the middle of the night.

Another example which highlights the misuse of this mode of advertising: Over Christmas, I received a SMS from Old Mutual. I cannot quote verbatim but it went along the lines of: We at Old Mutual wish you a good festive season - but don't forget to make sure you have enough money in the bank to cover your debit order.

!!! Need I say anymore.

It is a rough diamond at the moment that will take a lot of polishing

Jo-Anne

As a communication medium sms is an absolute winner. It's cost effective, efficient and personal. We must remember the sms' that we receive and actually want. Sms can be very informative.

The problem lies in data base exchange. We are betrayed by those that we have entrusted our personal details to. Let's be honest, it's not often that that happens.

Once again if SMS, as with other forms of one on one advertising forms, was done with permission it would be acceptable as you have enterd into an agreement to participate other than that it is a clear invasion of privacy. Advertiser should also learn that clever advertising could be more effective on a personal one on one basis. Rather engage the recipient and add value to his or her or its free time. Humor and entertainment are often the vehicles for achieving this. Ask me, engage me and entertain me.

It's good that it come once but when it's accelerate it looks that baalls r hammering on the forehead.

I am of the opinion that unsolicited sms advertising should be illegal - it's intrusive, unwanted, and as pointed out, virtually impossible to track.
Putting oneself on a mailing list, for example Edgars or Damelin have such mailing lists, is a different matter - you are inviting information, but having one's sms inbox cluttered with junkmail, just as your postbox, email inbox, and work post are, is an invasion of privacy and a waste of time, energy and money!!!

The Marketing Federation of SA, together with the cellular networks and SMS service providers have collaborated on a SMS Code of Practice and a facility to unsubscribe from SMS lists / voice complaints.

Have a look at http://www.smscode.co.za

That's very kind of them but why should one have to unsubscribe when they never subscribed in the first place? Isn't that a little backwards. This is almost as bad as getting unsolicited products in the mail and then threatened to be billed if the item is not returned within a specified period. Honestly, can't advertisers just leave people alone. Do we have to be invaded from every angle with every medium at all times!

hi can you advise me on how stop sms messages just found i have been chared £1.27 per message i never asked for these messages in the first place ,i have tried replying with a text message saying stop but they keep on coming

I get loads, some I asked for, most not. it takes probaly 20 minutes a day to get rid of them. That is crazy. I wish i could bill my time out. Nice idea at the time.

SMS advertising is now only legal if you have given consent - i.e. signed up and given permission to receive the messages. Go to the website mentioned earlier - you can track where messages come from and report unsolicitated mail. All 3 networks have agreed to the SMS code, so protect yourself against unwanted messages!

I was the victim of unsolicited mails from playuklottery.com and of course there's no use replying to these as it just goes into a mailserver. Eventually I emailed them [still didn't remove me], phoned them [still they kept coming] and eventually threatended legal action with a complaint lodged with ASA (miraculously the SMS's stopped and an emailed apology followed).

Be a vigilant consumer and don't take this s-it lying down!! They are GREAT if you asked for them or they are of some use to you [example FNB notifying you of every purchase which is free] and conversely they are the PITS of the universe if you keep getting news on the Edgars Red Hanger Sale several times in one day.

i absolutely do not like these sms, as some companies/party organisers give out their database to other people you have no idea about. it truly is an invasion of one privacy as you tend to use your cellphone for business.

I find this kind of marketing totally invasive and irritating. I have often received sms's of this nature at 6am or 11pm, which makes me want to avoid the product advertised at all costs.

Where the hell do they get my number from?

unlike email addresses...
cellphone numbers are not difficult to GUESS at all...

ever thought of that..

This website actually sells a hummongous cell phone database:
http://www.liveadvertiser.com/Cell_Phone_List_For_Sale/index.htm

On the spamming of SMS around in the industry. Being in the software provider myself for such usage, I've come across unethical companies who sells mobile numbers databases together with their SMS Marketing Software.

At least ours is better, we only sell the program. :) Its more meant for current customers anyway. (If you are insterested, http://www.airquace.com)

You can see for yourself!!!!!!!!!
http://www.liveadvertiser.com/Cell_Phone_List_For_Sale/index.htm

I agree that unwanted SMS MSGS are annoying. Opt in lists are the only way to go. When you have requested the info to be sent to you, or it is a notification system that has sponsors and advertisers that way. Check out the following site for more info on SMS. www.myenetworks.com

Some of these numbers carry very expensive preium rates for SMS's so when you reply to tell them where to stick their SMS you get billed R30 or more for your efforts

How would you feel about seeing an advert pasted into a voicemail notification SMS? Would it bug you? Or would you not mind, seeing as your Voicemail notice is a free service from your host network? I would be interested in your comments please.

Hi everyone, I agree with you all that unsolicited SMS is very annoying. Its very interruptive when u receive an SMS and its just an advert, and then it arrives at some unearthly hour of the night.

But what would you feel about adverts being put into Voicemail notices, Prepaid Balance Inquiries and Prepaid Topup Notices?

I realise this is an international forum so let me clarify the above message types so we can get and exact answer, and thanks in advance for taking the time to respond!

Voicemail Notification - your network advises you by SMS you have new voicemail waiting.
Prepaid balance inquiry - you request your account balance from the network (by SMS, USSD[ie *123#], IVR[dial 555])
Prepaid topup notice - when you recharge your account and add airtime, the network message you and says you have X amount of airtime.

What do you feel would make adverts more acceptable? Is permission marketing the only way? Or would it annoy people less if the networks inserted adverts into the above message types?

Thanks again everyone, especially bizcommunity for allowing this discussion.