SMS service ensures consumer privacy

SMS solutions, like adpermit, are providing advertisers with the means to maintain their privacy while still using the classifieds. The service requires a respondent to an advert to send a SMS to the adpermit shortcode to access the advertiser's contacts details.

According to Andrew Cardoza, founder and manager of adpermit: "The major advantage of a media independent SMS service is that it ensures advertisers' privacy. He or she does not need to publish their actual contact details in the classifieds to receive enquires for an advertised item."

The key advantage of this SMS service is that respondents to an advert can only view an advertiser's contact details until the item has been sold or the service no longer requires advertising. Thereafter, when a respondent sends a SMS to the item's shortcode they are sent a reply indicating that the advertised item is no longer available.

"Advertisers have the convenience of controlling responses to their adverts via their cell phones. They can stop people contacting them once the item has been sold. This makes advertising in the classifieds hassle-free for both advertisers and potential buyers.

"Advertisers do not need to answer the unwanted enquires that usually come from advertising in the classifieds and respondents do not need to make unnecessary phone calls to enquire about the item's availability. As a result both parties save time and money," says Cardoza.

The adpermit SMS solution was developed by dvelopit, a black-owned software development firm based in Stellenbosch. .It will be launched in conjunction with several community, local and national newspapers in the next few months and promises to permanently change the face of classified advertisements.