Okay so it has been a while since my last blog. I have been busy, life is like that sometime. At point we have released our sms/text messaging notification system. We are calling it “Real Alerts”. Cute. Our members can now have certain events trigger text messages with prospects phone numbers straight to their cell phones. Consumers expect a response within 4 hours and now our members can make it happen. This stuff is in beta and all our members can access it to some degree. Even our standard members that are paying nothing. We are paying for the text messages. This leads me to my next point – Limbo.
Talk about cute names. Limbo, how low can you go? This is a neat new service that takes advantage of some of the intricacies of text messaging. For all incoming SMS messages, an additional per-call charge can be levied Did you know that when all those teenagers text for their favorite idol it costs them. For example, voters for American Idol were charged 10 cents per SMS vote; AT&T received 8 million SMS votes during the second season. Fees can go as high as 50 cents per vote or even higher. This per-call charge generates revenues, can help to hold down high call volumes, and can qualify callers so they have a genuine interest in the product or event.
However, it can also do something else, as in the case of Limbo. Limbo is a service that holds “auctions” where people can “bid” on items. The lowest unique bid wins. I.E. the lowest bid that nobody else also bid, hence “Limbo, how low can you go”. Bidders can bid any where from 1 cent to whatever they desire. The catch is that the bids have to be sent in via SMS. This generates revenue for Limbo. Recently someone lucky texter won a Hummer for $36.65! This means they texted in the number 3665 and that was the lowest unique bid. I wonder how many people texted in 20, 500, 2000 or even 3000, likely many. I bet Limbo made quite a bit more then the cost of the Hummer on this one.
Interesting stuff, I would like to hear people’s thoughts on this one.
Here is the link: http://www.limbo41414.com/
excited to check this out i heard of limbo41414 on dallas/ftworth texas news channel 4 (fox4)
found out about limbo41414 on fox 4 news @ 9:00pm
We also saw this on a dallas/ftworth news channel. My wife immediately went to the website and tried it out.
The first day she was told by the company that she won a WII. I think her name is still listed as a winner.
Guess what? She received one phone call saying she won the prize and would need to fill out some paperwork to claim the prize.
Haven’t heard from LIMBO41414 since. We have called multiple times and emailed with no response.
We have a friend at channel 4 and we are working to get a follow up story.
So It’s April 20th had your wife heard from Limbo about the winning of the WII?
It’s pretty amazing to win a car for $36!, when’s the next auction on?
Dan
http://www.freebiesms.co.uk
Brendan:
Found Limbo41414 on cell phone mobile web & started playing in May 2007. In October, I won and Apple I Phone with a bid of 6889. Took 8 weeks for them to process but, when called to verify win, offered a check for the amount of the phone.
The only thing, now that I play on line, is that where they were very generous with their “loot” points, since on line, I haven’t received any; they also have increased the amount of loot by 5x what it was when I first started playing……will probably donate the loot I have to their charities…it is still a fun site & they are legit!
They also have a game called “GRAB”….wouldn’t recommend unless you have lots of time to delete emails.
Charlotte
Very interesting article, i bookmarked your blog
Best regards