General B#llshit !!!!!!

Now let's tackle the SMS bullshit !!!!! I am being crude in my approach because I am so sick and tired of receiving a load of bullshit from all over !!!!

A perfect example of how I hate the SMS approach (you will see what I am referring to, when I get going), can be the comparison of the people selling goods of all sorts at the robots. For those that don't have a clue what I am talking about; well it's those people who stand or walk around at many different traffic lights (robots to us), trying to sell goods, like little play things to metal artifacts and even toilet paper and black rubbish bags. After all, if I want to buy something from these people, I would call them over and ask about the item(s), but I HATE it when they come and "almost shove it down your throat". It is almost as if you "HAVE TO BUY IT" !!! Then I will NEVER buy, if that is the way I am approached. I would love to know how other people feel about this issue.

SMS - Computer Sales

I placed an advert in the Capeads to sell a computer and/or spares. A few days later I received an SMS which read as follows: QUOTE "Hi, John, I bought the Intel Gaming PC from SFA 0219878910 which was by far the fastest and cheapest. Call Jo-Mari, Very Nice and tel her I refered you. Cindy. xx" 0832272413" UNQUOTE

Firstly, the person obviously cannot spell correctly, if the spelling of the message is checked. I typed it exactly as I received it.

This is an absolute sales ploy, IN THE HOPE THAT SOME PERSON OR PERSONS WILL ACUALLY PHONE THE NUMBERS AND FIND OUT ABOUT PC's. Well not me !!!!.

I actually did send an SMS back to the above cell number telling them to buzz off, basically. I have heard nothing from them since and I have placed ads after that day. I would imagine that everyone that advertises a computer or something in that line probably gets the same SMS. What more will people do to get a sale. I have been working with computers for almost 20 years but besides the normal ads placed in the odd spot here or there, I rely on word of mouth, not "forcing the issue like this lot", I hate this !!!!!

SMS - Traffic Fine (What next?)

I received the first SMS on 11 March 2008 from 082007009475191 (weird number) and it showed the following message: QUOTE "Outstading Traffic Fines, please contact call centre (011) 560-4393 for detail to avoid prosecution, Ref: 90014067" etc UNQUOTE. I then received another SMS with the same message on 15 March 2008 and then another one a day or two later. Then I also received an "Easter Reminder" to pay the fine to avoid prosecution.

Firstly, when I went to check on the internet according to the number provided, I noted that it was a fine issued on 18 Dec 2004. The fine was for speed in excess of 80km/h. When I further checked I found that Enthanjeni Municipality, who actually had issued the fine, covers the Karoo District and De Aar. I have, till this day, still no idea where I was fined. Before the SMS I NEVER received an official fine by post, and also NEVER received any summons following a fine (which you are supposed to receive if you obviously don't pay the fine in time). The only correspondence, if you can call it that, was the 3 x SMS messages and the Easter letter. When I did call their call centre, the lady told me I should have been in court already. HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW ABOUT A FINE OR COURT OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER, IF I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY DOCUMENTATION FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS !!!!!!!

After all this time (more than 3 years), I don't understand how they suddenly "found" my cell number which I have had since 1997 and it has NEVER changed. I also don't see how, after all this time, they found my address where I am living now and where I have been living since 2000. This simply means that my cell number and my address was available before 2004, so there can be no arguments why they could only "trace" me now.

In a letter to the Traffic Department in question I raised the above questions. I furthermore requested that a photograph of the transgression be provided. I have no issue with the actual amount of R100, but have a principle issue that I will NOT pay for the sake of paying if it cannot be proven by a photo. I did confirm in the letter that I did travel to the north of the country over that period of time (I cannot remember the exact dates), so it could be possible that I was caught speeding. I also further mentioned that it COULD FOR THAT MATTER ALSO BE POSSIBLE THAT ANY TRAFFIC OFFICER SITTING UNDER A TREE AT THE TIME, COULD HAVE SEEN ME DRIVE PAST AND SIMPLY ISSUED A FINE. I did ask what the expiry date of a fine should be, especially since it has been more than 3 years since the fine date, and I did confirm that I would pay the fine if the photo could be provided as proof; this photo must also show all the relevant printed information on the top relating to the date and speed and so on, (as is always shows in the case of any other fine which I have received in the past.

Needless to say, I am still waiting for an answer in this regard !!!

SMS - ANOTHER BULLSHIT ADVERT

This one takes the cake !!!

I receive an SMS from 082007086100002 0n 4 April 2008, which reads: Quote "Get Fast Cheap Wireless Internet Access, Cheaper Call Rates on Any Calls made by getting the new WEBFONE! Reply '95161' or STOP 95161' to remove your name" UNQUOTE.

Who the bloody hell asked them to send this shit to me in the first place !!!! I DID NOT send an SMS to stop it, and guess what, I never got another SMS again. It just goes to prove, it is yet another scheme to get people to SMS so that in the bigger picture the corporations make millions in the process. The dumb ass that receives this SMS and answers STOP if he/she is not interested, is doing exactly what they want, to utilize an SMS !!!

SMS - OFFER OF MONEY LOANS ETC

Another asshole SMS received.

I received this SMS from 0820070002 on 22 April 2008, which reads: QUOTE "Need Cash? Call RCS on 0861 729727 to apply NOW! Offer expires 16/06/08. T&Cs on http://www.rcsgroup.co.za/ To no longer receive further offers call 0861 729727". UNQUOTE.

Firstly, the same question, Who the bloody hell asked them to send this shit to me in the first place !!!! Then they ask you to call (at your own expense AGAIN like all the others), if you do not want to received further offers.

I thought the Law (FICA ACT) was instated to regulate the lending of credit to individuals, but obviously no-one thought of this continual harrassment via SMS !!!.

SMS - OFFER OF MONEY LOANS ETC (ANOTHER ONE)

I received this SMS from 08200473122942 on 23 April 2008, which reads: QUOTE "Need Cash? You are invited to come into any Nedbank branch and apply for a Personal Loan of up to R100 000! For queries or to opt out, call 0860 103 582" UNQUOTE.

Again, the same question, Who the bloody hell asked them to send this shit to me in the first place !!!! Then they ask you to call (at your own expense AGAIN like all the others), if you want to opt out.

I would think that by now, people in financil difficulty DON'T HAVE TO BE REMINDED WHERE THEY CAN MAKE MORE DEBT, and people should know by now where they can apply for credit if the need arises. Do they have to be reminded constantly about this crap?

It is no wander this country is so deep in debt (the civilians I am talking about now), they keep on receiving these offers !!!

SMS - WIN A CAR !! WHAT A CRAP ONE !!

I received this SMS from 39999 on 26 April 2008, which reads: QUOTE "WIN A CAR 4 U & A FRIEND! sms CAR to 36060 & join the club, get unlimited pis, tones, games & more plus stand the chance 2 win (R10/R5days Subs service Sms OUT to 36060" UNQUOTE.

Again I pose the same question, Who the bloody hell asked them to send this shit to me in the first place !!!! Then they charge you a large amount of mmoney for the SMS to take part in the competition to WIN A CAR, (R10 for 5 days or something like that), which car never gets won, I have not seen any !! Then again they ask you to SMS the word OUT to stop receiving the SMS, and YES, at your cost AGAIN !!!

And by the way , the person sending the SMS also cannot spell !!! (pis probably means pics).

SMS - LETTING OF A FLAT

I advertised a flat for hire in "Die Burger" for one day only. Shortly thereafter on 9 May 2008, I received this SMS from 0837514418, which read: QUOTE "Ons kan u bystaan met goeie huurders, insl krediet nasoeke, inspeksies, ens. 21 Jr ervaring. Kontak Carl: 0837514418, of Cindy: 0734581686, of Info: 0881236204". UNQUOTE.

I have received this message on almost each occasion that I have advertised a flat to rent out. Why am I actually placing the AD in the newspaper each time? Well, obviously because I don't want any middleman or third party involved or I probably would have approached them in the first place, NOT SO !!!!

Just a thought: Maybe Cindy in this advert is the same Cindy referred to in the SMS for the computer sale, who knows !!!!!!

SMS - YET ANOTHER BULLSHIT ADVERT

I receive an SMS from 082007086100003 0n 17 May 2008, which reads: Quote "You've been pre-selected to receive a Samsung J750 from Altech Autopage on a Casual Chat 100 contract. Reply '95175' or STOP 95175' to remove your name" UNQUOTE. Who the fu#$ asked them to send this shit to me in the first place !!!! I DID NOT send an SMS to stop it, and guess what, I never got another SMS again. Again, it just goes to prove, it is yet another scheme to get people to SMS so that in the bigger picture the corporations make millions in the process. The dumb ass that receives this SMS and answers STOP if he/she is not interested, is doing exactly what they want, to utilize an SMS !!! Then again, don't we ALREADY get enough offers on TV and also in our faces in ALL the cell shops wherever you go today; about offers and contracts and all that crap. How many more times must you see this load of crap. If you want a phone on contract, then surely you will go looking for, and find one, not this way. For fu#$'s sake !!!!!! Well I did, just for the hell of it, send an SMS "PISS OFF" to that long number shown in the beginning of the post, and I hope they got the message !!!!!