Message Pro- Laws

Text messaging
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ARS
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Message Pro- Laws

Post by ARS »

We are wondering about the Federal & State (we live in IL) Laws on texting from a company (ie. Auto Repair Shop). We are trying to make sure we are not texting to the people that have told us not to. We have a slot that is called No Text Cellular on the phone list- that we move phone numbers to & on know if they text STOP to us- the system will not allow us to text. We also do not put a phone number in Cellular slot for the automatic texts going out. Just wondering what the ramifications if we accidentally text someone that we were told not to.

Not really concerned too much about the Automatic texting.. because we do really try to make sure that the phone numbers are in the right spot.
But my boss has gotten so he likes to text people that he has an estimate ready, found a problem with a vehicle, vehicle is ready for pick up, etc. instead of calling. Now that we are able chose from a list of numbers to text to... we want to make sure we are doing things right...

Questions:
Laws concerning- Solicitation text vs a need to get ahold of you text
Also- we only have one slot for the no text cell- so is the no text for per phone or per account ( all the phone numbers in that person's account)

When we first installed Message Pro- we were told we could be fined for texting wrong... want to get all of the laws correct.

Thanks, ARS
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MRISICH
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Re: Message Pro- Laws

Post by MRISICH »

Hi ARS,

It appears you are already following the proper process to prevent customers from receiving unwanted text messages. When the customer requests to not receive texts verbally or via email, they are moving their phone number to a phone field labeled No Text in Mitchell.

Message Pro will not send an auto message to a customer that has replied STOP to a previous message or does not have a ten-digit phone number in the linked Primary Cell Phone field.

As far as the laws concerning solicitation texts vs ‘a need to get ahold of you’ text, it’s simple, any marketing/promotional type texts are prohibited. Message Pro was not meant to be used for marketing purposes under any circumstances. We do not condone any use of Message Pro for that purpose.

‘A need to get a hold of you’ text is completely fine. As a best practice, we suggest letting the customer know you’ll be texting them. If they accept, go for it. If they request not to receive texts, simply remove the cell phone from the main Cell Phone filed in Mitchell. If no number is in the main Cell Phone filed, no texts will be send to the customer, even if they have multiple phone numbers on their account.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps.
Michael Risich
Founder & CEO

BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY™

610-400-1019
http://boltontechnology.com/
ARS
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Re: Message Pro- Laws

Post by ARS »

OK, thank you
ARS
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Re: Message Pro- Laws

Post by ARS »

We are not talking about the automation texting here.. just the manual texting we would send out-- we think you need an oil change, we have an estimate put together for you, we found a problem with your vehicle...

We are still confused if there is a no text phone number listed- We have one spot to put phone numbers that the customer has stated that they do not want texting... We know that we can not text to that phone number that is listed on the that line...

But if we have a no texting line is that for just that line or all the phone numbers on that account.. ie. husband says no to texting- can we text the wife that has not stated which way she would prefer. or parents do not want texting... but maybe the kids would..

My feeling is that if there is a no texting number listing than the whole account is no texting... is that right...

Or does it depend on the type of texts that you send out.
Thanks, ARS
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MRISICH
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Re: Message Pro- Laws

Post by MRISICH »

Hey ARS,

When sending manual texts, you have the option to select any phone number on the account in Mitchell. By using the ‘Switch Phone Number’ option under the ‘Quick Message’ feature, all numbers on the account will appear, even if you’ve placed some of them in the ‘No Text’ field in Mitchell.

This is only for manual text messaging.

Hope this helps.
Michael Risich
Founder & CEO

BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY™

610-400-1019
http://boltontechnology.com/
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