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Cellular Phone Forum / Country Specific / Australian Group / November 2006

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Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25 cents?

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gnh888@gmail.com - 25 Sep 2006 10:02 GMT
Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
cents?

Before installing Telstra "Text Buddy" I checked
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/products/messaging/textbuddy.htm

There is NO mention of extra cost.

In August I installed Telstra "Text Buddy" on my computer.
Most of my SMS texting was on an other Telstra mobile.

Then a few time I SMS other mobile phone and suddenly I got charged.

I rang 1258880 but all Telstra consultant told me "Telstra Text  Buddy
" was free.

These information are incorrect.

"Telstra Text  Buddy " charge you only your SMS text message if you
text an other Telstra mobile.
But if you cal a mobile outside the Telstra network like Optus or
others , Telstra charge the normal rate of 25 cents per Text plus 24
cents for using "Telstra Text  Buddy " .

So, the moral of the story, I got conned again by Telstra and I removed
"Telstra Text  Buddy "  from my computer.

Conned by Telstra.
Frank - 25 Sep 2006 10:40 GMT
99.9% of all my SMS are sent to an Optus number and I have only ever been
charged 25c .

> Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
> cents?
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Conned by Telstra.
gnh888@gmail.com - 26 Sep 2006 01:03 GMT
Frank

That's great.

All I know is that I rang 8 times in the last 3 weeks the 1258880 help
number and every Telstra Consultant before the last one  guessed the
answer telling me that "Telstra SMS text buddy" had no extra charges.

The last consultant managed to explain in more details..

Every time I was SMS texting from Telstra "text buddy", Telstra will
debit me 25 cents  + 24 cents of connection,   IF   the Text Message
was for a Network outside Telstra.

I found also strange,  Telstra "Text Buddy" is NOT prepared to disclose
the Network they charge "extra service of 24 cents"   and NOT charge to
from "Text Buddy"

Telstra charged me 25 cents + 24 cents when I SMS "Text Buddy" from my
Telstra account to my friend  3 G mobile account.

I thought Telstra and 3 G where the same network.
They are the same company?

Conned by Telstra

> 99.9% of all my SMS are sent to an Optus number and I have only ever been
> charged 25c .
Michael - 26 Sep 2006 09:19 GMT
> Frank
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Telstra charged me 25 cents + 24 cents when I SMS "Text Buddy" from my
> Telstra account to my friend  3 G mobile account.

That sounds like a fault.

SMS sent through Text Buddy are charged at your SMS rate.

Sounds like prepaid platform is charging you SMS cost and flagfall ?!?!
Thats a fault
gnh888@gmail.com - 28 Sep 2006 07:48 GMT
> > Frank
> >
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Sounds like prepaid platform is charging you SMS cost and flagfall ?!?!
> Thats a fault

Michael

You show me theURL which says " Text Buddy" is FREE and I'll believe
you.

Conned by Telstra
Michael - 28 Sep 2006 09:10 GMT
>> > Frank
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> You show me theURL which says " Text Buddy" is FREE and I'll believe
> you.

No one said it was free. Ill quote myself "SMS sent through Text Buddy are
charged at your SMS rate."
Michael - 26 Sep 2006 09:19 GMT
> Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
> cents?

Huh?

> In August I installed Telstra "Text Buddy" on my computer.
> Most of my SMS texting was on an other Telstra mobile.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Conned by Telstra.

What on earth are you on about?

SMS cost is 25c, regardless of whether you send it by hand (SMS MO), or text
buddy
gnh888@gmail.com - 28 Sep 2006 07:46 GMT
> > Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
> > cents?
>
> Huh?
>> What on earth are you on about?

>>SMS cost is 25c, regardless of whether you send it by hand (SMS MO), or text
>>buddy

Before making a statement like ">> What on earth are you on about? "
why no checking your account balance.

This is how you do it:
Before TEXTING you check your account balance . (account balance is
FREE)

After TEXTING someone on an other network from  your "Text  Buddy",
you'll check again your account balance.

You'll  see 49 cents have debited instead of 25 cents because  your SMS
cost 25cents + 24 cents "Text Buddy" charge to other Network
connection.

==== To check your account balance this is how you do it from your
Mobile.===
Checking your account balance is FREE

Type the word " MENU " in your  message box .
Then send the text "Menu" to  this Telstra 1258888.
A few seconds later you'll receive your account status
You'll  see 49 cents has debited for one SMS instead of 25 cents.

====  Also you can check  ===
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/products/messaging/textbuddy.htm
Go to "Telstra's Our Customer Terms" and you'll find 24cents being
debited to your Mobile on top of your 25 cents SMS message.
.
==== 95%  of  the Telstra consultant on the 1258880 help line guess or
do not remember the "secret charge" for "text buddy".
As I repeat again  this 24 cents sur_ charge is for pre_paid CDMA .
This is the same on a CDMA plan .

You can tell me anything you like, this is what's happening when using
"Text Buddy" from your computer or any computer.

Conned by Telstra
Michael - 28 Sep 2006 09:10 GMT
>> > Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
>> > cents?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Before making a statement like ">> What on earth are you on about? "
> why no checking your account balance.

Because prepaid customers are scum, druggies and povies. I'm not a prepaid
customer

> ====  Also you can check  ===
> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/products/messaging/textbuddy.htm
> Go to "Telstra's Our Customer Terms" and you'll find 24cents being
> debited to your Mobile on top of your 25 cents SMS message.

Not where I could see.

Went to your link, then chose "Our Customer Terms", found the SMS document
http://www.telstra.com.au/customerterms/docs/sms.doc

No where does it says "Text buddy SMS from prepaid is 25c plus 24c"

The ONLY table in that docu says:
     Standard charges for SMS up to 160 characters
    GST excl
    GST incl

     Fee per SMS sent (except to international numbers)
    22.73¢
    25¢

     Fee per SMS sent to international numbers
    31.82¢
    35¢

> ==== 95%  of  the Telstra consultant on the 1258880 help line guess or
> do not remember the "secret charge" for "text buddy".

Because there isnt one
gnh888@gmail.com - 28 Sep 2006 13:24 GMT
> <gnh888@gmail.com> wrote in message

I have lodge an other complaint and again obtained a complaint number.

I was told this time that "text Buddy " should  NOT charge me 24 cents
on the top of the 25 cents for the SMS text message.

Apparently there is an error on the accounting section for my  mobile
phone.
At Telstra mobile NO one knows where this 24 cents is coming from.

I'll let you know of the outcome.

Conned by Telstra
Anthony Horan - 28 Sep 2006 14:36 GMT
> Because prepaid customers are scum, druggies and povies.

You poor, deluded, self-obsessed fool.
gnh888@gmail.com - 07 Oct 2006 02:00 GMT
The program bought by Telstra which is called  "Text Buddy" has been
made by a company in Australia called ATTACH.

ATTACH Sydney call centre is 1300  660 024

ATTACH Headquarter where the program was made  is on  02  0409 9608
or 02  0409 9600 . ( Leave a message on the answering machine and one
of the staff we'll ring you back an hour later)

The software was developed on the 18 March 2003 (see dll)
and compiled on 07 April 2005
(OnlineTextbuddy.exe  07 April 2005)

The new specifications from Telstra Text Buddy
http://www.telstra.com.au/customerterms/docs/sms.pdf  paragraph 9.20
page 28
were activated on the 19 September 2006.

Which means the specifications of Telstra 19 September 2006 do NOT
match the specification of the software compiled in  April 2005.
(if you use "Text Buddy"  you'll see immediately the fault in the
character(s) and page(s) counter)

The software "Text Buddy" has a few other  bugs.

One of the  major bug  which affects my account  balance of my mobile
is that I can't disable the long message option (even if I UNTICK the
box).

"Text Buddy"  software  still charges me for 1 SMS + 24.2 cents
instead of 1 SMS  even if  the "long message" option  is NOT ticked

May be someone at Telstra or ATTACH will look "seriously"  at the way
"Text Buddy " behaves and overcharges every user of this product.

Really there is NO excuses for this type of fault not being picked up
by the quality control team of ATTACH or TELSTRA.

George
gnh888@gmail.com - 26 Oct 2006 00:03 GMT
> The program bought by Telstra which is called  "Text Buddy" has been
> made by a company in Australia called ATTACH.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> and compiled on 07 April 2005
> (OnlineTextbuddy.exe  07 April 2005)
.....
> George

For anyone Interested Telstra Text Buddy Contains  123 File(s)
10,240,875 bytes

The Text Buddy executable was compiled on 07 April 2005 - 18 months ago
or 1 year and 6 months ago
07-04-05  02:13p               839,680 OnlineTextBuddy.exe

But the *.ddl which organise how the program should charge  the
customer
was compiled
18 March 2003 or 3 years and 7 months ago.
18-03-04  05:43p               843,776 libeay32.dll
18-03-03  09:20p             1,060,864 mfc71.dll
18-03-03  09:12p             1,047,552 mfc71u.dll
18-03-03  08:14p               499,712 msvcp71.dll
21-02-03  04:42a               348,160 msvcr71.dll

But the specifications from Telstra Text buddy were made on 19
September 2006
http://www.telstra.com.au/customerterms/docs/sms.pdf

Did Telstra "pirated" a program and bodged it up?

Is that the reason why the accounting does not work and overcharge?

What other thing does this program transmits that the consumer
is not aware off?
(there are a lot of files here.....)

Below is what Telstra Text Buddy looks like on your PC computer.

Telstra ONLINE TEXT BUDDY
Directory of C:\Program Files\Telstra

29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          .
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          ..
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          OnlineTextBuddy
              0 File(s)              0 bytes

Directory of C:\Program Files\Telstra\OnlineTextBuddy

29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          .
29-09-06  11:14a       <DIR>          ..
04-05-04  11:53a             1,645,320 gdiplus.dll
13-10-04  11:14a                19,730 la.rtf
18-03-04  05:43p               843,776 libeay32.dll
18-03-03  09:20p             1,060,864 mfc71.dll
18-03-03  09:12p             1,047,552 mfc71u.dll
18-03-03  08:14p               499,712 msvcp71.dll
21-02-03  04:42a               348,160 msvcr71.dll
02-03-05  08:53a                49,434 OnlineTextBuddy.chm
07-04-05  02:13p               839,680 OnlineTextBuddy.exe
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          Skins
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          Sounds
18-03-04  05:43p               159,744 ssleay32.dll
             10 File(s)      6,513,972 bytes

Directory of C:\Program Files\Telstra\OnlineTextBuddy\Skins

29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          .
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          ..
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          Telstra
              0 File(s)              0 bytes

Directory of C:\Program Files\Telstra\OnlineTextBuddy\Skins\Telstra

29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          .
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          ..
05-10-04  05:18p                 1,093 ActionsMenu.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,015 addressButAct.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 2,964 addressButDis.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,067 addressButDn.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,038 addressButNorm.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,044 addressButOv.png
30-09-04  03:40p                 1,694 adminButAct.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,087 adminButAct.png
30-09-04  03:39p                 1,679 adminButDis.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                 2,979 adminButDis.png
30-09-04  03:39p                 1,722 adminButDn.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,130 adminButDn.png
01-10-04  12:48p                 3,025 adminButNorm.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,025 adminButNorm2.png
01-10-04  12:48p                 3,087 adminButOv.png
13-10-04  02:34p                25,214 buddy.ico
20-10-04  11:54a                 3,070 button_address2_down.png
20-10-04  11:57a                 2,992 button_address2_norm.png
20-10-04  12:05p                 2,976 button_address2_over.png
22-10-04  01:02p                 5,202 button_addressBook_down.png
22-10-04  01:03p                 5,265 button_addressBook_norm.png
22-10-04  01:02p                 5,145 button_addressBook_over.png
25-10-04  03:57p                 3,754 button_admin_down.png
25-10-04  04:01p                 3,089 button_admin_norm.png
25-10-04  03:58p                 3,734 button_admin_over.png
21-10-04  05:14p                 5,887 button_cancel_down.png
21-10-04  05:02p                 5,324 button_cancel_norm.png
21-10-04  05:18p                 5,302 button_cancel_over.png
22-10-04  01:05p                 4,862 button_contacts_down.png
22-10-04  01:04p                 4,883 button_contacts_norm.png
22-10-04  01:05p                 4,854 button_contacts_over.png
02-03-05  08:52a                 6,616 button_login_down.png
02-03-05  08:52a                 5,860 button_login_norm.png
02-03-05  08:52a                 6,030 button_login_over.png
01-10-04  12:48p                11,095 button_newmessage_active.png
05-10-04  05:18p                11,095 button_newmessage_butdn.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 9,977 button_newmessage_disabled.png
05-10-04  05:18p                10,434 button_newmessage_norm.png
05-10-04  05:18p                10,323 button_newmessage_over.png
10-03-05  09:46a                 5,229 button_ok_down.png
10-03-05  09:47a                 4,649 button_ok_norm.png
10-03-05  09:47a                 4,695 button_ok_over.png
21-10-04  04:59p                 5,963 button_resend_down.png
21-10-04  04:48p                 5,436 button_resend_norm.png
21-10-04  04:58p                 5,373 button_resend_over.png
21-10-04  05:22p                 5,629 button_send_down.png
21-10-04  05:13p                 5,094 button_send_norm.png
21-10-04  05:22p                 5,081 button_send_over.png
20-10-04  03:13p                 3,656 button_sentitems_down.png
20-10-04  03:13p                 3,601 button_sentitems_norm.png
20-10-04  03:13p                 3,625 button_sentitems_over.png
01-10-04  12:10p                 5,520 cancelBut.png
29-09-04  11:29a                   542 closeIcon.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   498 closeIcon.png
29-09-04  11:29a                 1,139 connectedIcon.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   876 connectedIcon.png
29-09-04  11:29a                 1,111 emptyInbox.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   795 emptyInbox.png
07-07-04  10:37a                 3,720 exitBut.gif
29-09-04  11:29a                 1,089 FileMenu.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   862 FileMenu.png
29-09-04  11:29a                   542 helpIcon.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   477 helpIcon.png
29-09-04  11:29a                 1,130 HelpMenu.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   911 HelpMenu.png
07-07-04  10:37a                   782 infinity.jpg
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,031 logButAct.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 2,977 logButDis.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,078 logButDn.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,034 logButNorm.png
01-10-04  12:48p                 3,031 logButOv.png
14-10-04  03:55p               551,208 login.avi
15-10-04  09:43a                 1,855 logout_active.png
15-10-04  09:43a                 1,830 logout_disabled.png
19-10-04  11:14a                 1,584 logout_down.png
15-10-04  09:43a                 1,855 logout_norm.png
15-10-04  09:43a                 1,824 logout_over.png
07-07-04  10:37a                    83 longText.gif
07-10-04  12:53p                72,704 midscreen.avi
29-09-04  11:29a                   542 minimiseIcon.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                   432 minimiseIcon.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,020 newButAct.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 2,988 newButDis.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,065 newButDn.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 3,036 newButNorm.png
07-07-04  10:37a                 1,024 NewMailBut.GIF
07-07-04  10:37a                   666 NotConnected.gif
01-10-04  12:10p                 4,891 OkBut.png
07-07-04  10:37a                 1,790 OptionsMenu.bmp
04-03-05  03:53p                 1,436 register.bmp
07-07-04  10:37a                 1,256 replyToEmail.BMP
07-07-04  10:37a                   372 replyToIcon.gif
07-07-04  10:37a                   448 replyToIconBus.gif
07-07-04  10:37a                   439 replyToIconPer.gif
01-10-04  12:48p                 5,649 ResendBut.png
14-10-04  03:55p             1,715,236 send.avi
01-10-04  05:05p                 5,356 sendBut.png
10-03-05  09:51a                 8,830 Telstra.dat
13-12-04  10:03a                13,051 TelstraDefault.png
05-10-04  05:18p                 1,358 TelstraLogo.png
07-07-04  10:37a                 3,514 textArea.gif
05-10-04  05:18p                 1,025 ToolsMenu.png
            102 File(s)      2,708,175 bytes

Directory of C:\Program Files\Telstra\OnlineTextBuddy\Sounds

29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          .
29-09-06  11:14a        <DIR>          ..
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 AuthFailure.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 CommsFailure.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 InvalidChar.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 InvalidPhone.wav
22-06-04  02:33p               136,220 Login.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 MsgCharCount.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                65,900 MsgRecipients.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                 8,472 SendMsg.wav
22-06-04  02:33p               235,052 Shutdown.wav
05-10-04  10:21a               222,804 Startup.wav
22-06-04  02:33p                20,780 UpdateBook.wav
             11 File(s)      1,018,728 bytes

    Total Files Listed:
            123 File(s)     10,240,875 bytes
Georges
gnh888@gmail.com - 06 Nov 2006 19:19 GMT
..........
>      Total Files Listed:
>              123 File(s)     10,240,875 bytes
> Georges

I heard the managing  board of the TIO (Telecommunication  Industry
Ombudsman ) is totally controlled by two Telstra (ex_PMG)  executive.

Anyone would  knows the name of the two Telstra executive  who are on
that board?
http://www.tio.com.au/aboutmembership/searchmembers.htm

Does anyone know how TIO managing board is set up?

How many members?

Who are these members?

Who is the Chair person for  the Managing board meetings of the TIO?

When does the board meet and how frequently?

Georges
Michael - 06 Nov 2006 23:16 GMT
Why dont you ask the TIO?

Brilliant!

> ..........
>>      Total Files Listed:
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Georges
Justin - 07 Nov 2006 04:07 GMT
| ..........
| >      Total Files Listed:
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
|
| Georges

For f.ck sake,  get over it will ya!
gnh888@gmail.com - 13 Nov 2006 07:54 GMT
> ..........
> >      Total Files Listed:
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Georges

I am still waiting for a refund from Telstra.

I tried "Telstra text buddy " for the G3 and also my mate got
overcharged.

Georges
gnh888@gmail.com - 25 Nov 2006 00:58 GMT
> > > Telstra SMS text buddy has a  secret cost of 24 cents on the top of 25
> > > cents?
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>
> Conned by Telstra
==========================
Tactics used by some Telstra managerial staffs to "solve" cases are in
breach of the Australian civil liberties laws, the Commonwealth of
Australia Constitutional laws (civil and criminal laws).

Georges
 
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