[sarahk]

We've just retuned our TVs which involved spending a stack of time sitting watching daytime tv - eeeeuuuuw

I couldn't believe the aussie bimbo flogging her silly competitions and how incredibly polished the whole deal was. After all, bimbo, was the effect they were after.

Then came the revolt. It turns out that when you text in you get charged a fee, then they reply at a cost of $3 a text received - and they'll hit you weekly until you text 'STOP' to 8555.

TVNZ showed a clip where the guy claimed that he earned only pennies from each text and to blame telecom.

Well, I just don't buy that. I've looked into the whole SMS thing and while the chargeback system is hugely expensive it does still work in TMG's favour.

So, when you wonder how these guys can afford the bimbo, the amazing script, the air time and the prizes (as well as the underlying SMS infrastructure) just think about all those $3 text messages they're sending.

And consider whether you want to be part of the fun!

for more try Google: "TMG Asia Pacific" - Google Search

[kall]

I DESPISE those ads.

Absolute piles of crap designed to rip off weak-minded plebs, they are.

The telcos are making piles of cash from them, so there's hardly likely to be any form of regulation coming from them... how does one go about petitioning the Goverrnment to make something go away?

[sarahk]

I don't think in a free market you can make them go away, but they should be required to act ethically.

The terms should be spoken just like the T&C on finance, and they should be legible on the screen.

[kall]

Well, considering that if they were made to do that, fewer people (one would hope) would be giving them money, so they would go away.

[Neophis]

Pretty obvious it would cost you a lot to text them ... don't people read the small print on TV anymore .. if you can't read it, then maybe it's a small sign telling people that they don't want you to read it

[thomasbredman]

Yes, these are very good marketing messages alright. However I feel the only thing wrong with them is that the terms are so small on the screen they can hardly be read.

Unfortunately most people have no idea of the bigger picture behind these ads and how they work strategically.

Funny to watch poor suckers on Fair Go and the likes who get pinged for new mobile rings too.

Although trying to win a plasma off a nice blonde is also funny.

[SPAZo]

its a way for the people to take our hard earned money.
the amount of txts sent in will pay for the prize.
good luck
lol