MatKoenigQ: I got excited about this until I saw that the amount of text messages included also include INBOUND text messages.
Every other texting platform only charges you for the OUTBOUND messages that are sent so basically, the number of included messages you guys show is truly only 1/2 of that number. There are no costs associated with inbound SMS from carriers. I want so badly to buy this from you guys because I LOVE your products. I own Sendfox and email badge but with this tool $60 for basically 150 messages going out, it's actually only 75 because there is the message you send, PLUS the TCPA required compliance message saying *4msgs per month or whatever. I hope you change the offering to be just outbound messages.
David_AppSumoOriginals
May 15, 2024A: Hey, ValueDrivenCoach!
Generally, I answer this question in great detail here: https://appsumo.com/products/shorty-sms/#q683866. But, I also want to share some answers specific to your question.
1) Every other deal out there is a monthly plan that marks up the cost of send and receive around 1,000%. When their margins are that massive they can afford to offer free receive. That's why we're the only compelling Lifetime deal for SMS at this time. No one is even in the same realm.
2) While carriers don't necessarily charge to receive SMS, the backend providers (Twilio, Bandwidth) that power SMS sending do charge for both sent and receive. So we do actually have to pay to send and receive using our backend provider, as most SMS tools actually do. But because most SMS tools mark up with insane monthly fees and do not have a Lifetime deal, they mess with you in a different way.
3) There's no legal regulation about mentioning the message frequency. There are preferred guidelines, but most regulation in the SMS is less about FTC, FCC and more about carrier preferences. CTIA is an organization that kinda manages SMS best practices, but mostly it's up to each carrier on their preferences. You're right though it is a best practice, so we'll add a basic disclaimer into the confirmation messages so we're going above-and-beyond. 😃