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[Dave A]

Note to self - send memo to everyone to not phone 0839... numbers.
If a business gives that as their contact number, tell them you expect a 10% discount or you'll find another business to buy from.
If a client gives that as their contact number, mark up the price quoted 10% and ask for their credit card number and CVV.

[Mark Atkinson]

Oh wow...

[Wiele]

I take it you don't like the concept/company. Companies that do implementing these numbers, like DSTV, do and should provide landline numbers as well, this leave the choice up to the caller to what number he wants to call. Here's an example https://care.dstv.com/main.aspx?id=243 .

Something interesting that most people don't know is phoning FreeCall (080), ShareCall (0860) or MaxiCall (0861) numbers from a cell phone is charged at full cellphone rates and in most cases free minutes don't apply. It's only free or discounted when phoning from a landline. Companies using these lines are also required to state in advertising that calls to these numbers from a cellphone is charnged at cellphone rates, but very few do.

So you don't think there's a market for this product? Personally I feel the target market, which is people phoning from cellphones, will be paying the same per call as phoning a FreeCall (080) number, the difference being with 0839 numbers the company can benefit as well.

I would still like some Ideas on promoting this product if you or anyone have some.

[Dave A]

I take it you don't like the concept/company.

At the very least it's wasteful - just give your direct number and cut out the middleman who's only reason for being in the communication line at all is to enrich the person/company I'm trying to call, and as I'm a client they're getting money out of me anyway.

On DSTV:



And they indicate it's at VAS rates
But at least there are other options provided.

So may I ask, where's the value-add to the client in this parasitic deal?

[Wiele]

This is fun, constructive and helps to see how other people sees a product. This is very helpful in understanding why people would not want a product.

The problem is that there's a middleman in just about any business and most of them we are so used to being there that we do not question them.

Any business using 0839 number are required inform their customers of the rates as well as providing alternative numbers. Business using FreeCall (080), ShareCall (0860) or MaxiCall (0861) numbers are also required to inform customers that calls to these numbers from a cellphone is charged at cellphone rates, but very few do.

So what makes it a parasitic deal? If customers calling these numbers are informed of the rates and still choose to use these numbers its surely less parasitic than a customer phoning to a FreeCall (080) number from a cellphone thinking its free yet they are charged at full cellphone rate, or are you suggesting the cellphone companies to be the parasites or the company failing to inform the customer phoning to those numbers?

So what value does this deal gives? The question is now what value does my client get or my clients clients get.

My client gets
1 - Extra revenue
2 – Should he move premisses his customers can still get hold of him
3 – Should telkom lines be stolen / faulty for extended period of time the landline number can be changed to reduce loss of business to other branches or homelines.

My Clients, clients

1 – Should my client moves premisses his customers can still get hold of him
2 – Should telkom lines be stolen / faulty for extended periods of time can still get hold off him.

Well I have made peace with the fact I will not be getting any advise, but my eyes have been opened on how different people can see a product. Remember to ask for your 10% discount when phoning a toll free number from your cellphone because you will be charged.

[Dave A]

Remember to ask for your 10% discount when phoning a toll free number from your cellphone because you will be charged.

My experience is they've come out of my free minutes though - it's not been billed on a VAS basis

There are a few other areas where your benefits are far from unique - o8o and o86 numbers are incredibly programmable in term of their redirects and are seldom (if ever) the final line number. I'm aware of one franchise operation in particular which markets just one 086 number nationally - the call is sent to the nearest franchise to the caller entirely automatically.

Well I have made peace with the fact I will not be getting any advise

I had toyed with suggesting that this area might be a rich source of prospects earlier, but I only mention it now tongue-in-cheek

My more serious advice would be to read my current signature
It's just not something I'd go for as I believe it'll harm my business's reputation and posture (I already think less of DSTV now that I know they've gone for it). It's a personal line, I guess - and certainly doesn't mean there aren't others that will go for it.

I might even be proved wrong in my position...

[IanF]

Wiele,
You have heard from a businessman's perspective as to a major objection to your product. Look for a direct answer to question of cost to the client's client and don't ignore the objection.
A major client of mine has now instituted a 086 fax number for all their staff, when I see that I ask for the email address the fax goes to and rather scan and email

[Wiele]

It is true there are a few areas where this product are not unique. On 086 numbers, here is a quote from a company that supplies 086 numbers

Facts To Concider.
When using the 086 numbers, information of value must be relayed to the caller.
All advertising should include: "Calls charged at VAS rates. Free minutes do not apply."

Here's the link http://www.free086numbers.co.za/

Also these lines are not real programmable, they are just redirected to an landline with an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) installed, PABX or any other services.

It's just not something I'd go for as I believe it'll harm my business's reputation and posture (I already think less of DSTV now that I know they've gone for it). It's a personal line, I guess - and certainly doesn't mean there aren't others that will go for it.

Now that to me is a honest and respectable answer from a businessman's perspective, not the first response. This one line has more value than anything else that was said.

[Dave A]

Also these lines are not real programmable, they are just redirected to an landline with an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) installed, PABX or any other services.

If we go to source, there are other options available.

Setting up SmartAccess for my companies is actually on my to-do list for this year. But it seems I'm going to have to take a closer look at the way these calls are billed from cellphones.

[BusNavig8]

Ok. I have read ALL the posts with interest. The things that strike me the most are :

The Model : Offline / Online or a combination.

Target Markets : Mass or Niche

Areas of Specialisation : Generalists or Specialists??

Differentiation and Innovation??

Liquidations - On the outside can look like shrinking markets or other factors - but there are a LOT of contributing factors - Bottlenecks, Knowledge Silo's, Job traps, Business failing for the wrong reasons, faulty concepts. Faulty thinking, not having your fingers on the pulse of your cashflow, chashing turnover, and making a loss in the process. It takes approx 10 days to loose complete focus! and 21 days to learn a new habit but the old habit will always be there. Change back.

Business Rescue - Dont leave it till its too late. Brand Extentions in a shrinking market.

Customer Retention VS Customer Loyalty