Have questions about how Street Savings works, how to use it, or how to become a Street Savings Authorized Reseller?

Check out the answers to frequently asked questions below. Not finding the answer you need? We're happy to help. Contact us.

Merchant FAQs

Business Questions?

Q:	"What if I never use coupons for my business, even those on the internet or on text messaging?"
Q:	"I already have an email list. Can this work with my email?
Q:	"What if I don't want to commit to anything."
Q:	"I don't want to be a nuisance or spam my customers."
Q:	"How many people will respond?"
Q:	"What if I'm not technical?"
Q:	"I don't want the same customer reusing the same coupon."
Q:	"Why is this good way to advertise?"
Q:	"What other companies are using text message (SMS) marketing?"
Q:	"Why can't I just compile a list of customers myself and send out coupons from my phone - I don't need you guys."
Q:	"Does Street Savings provide bankcard processing services?"
Q:	"Why doesn't SS include the industry mandated 'opt out' instructions (Reply STOP to cancel) in its' offer messages?"
Q:	"Do merchants have to pay for the monthly reminder message?"

Merchant FAQs Answered

Q:	"What if I never use coupons for my business, even those on the internet or on text messaging?"
A:	That's ok. The service can be used for announcements like "Join us for Monday night football," or "Mother's Day reservations are now being accepted," or "New menu items." Since text messages are delivered and read within minutes you can even remind customers to stop by on the way home.
Q:	"I already have an email list. Can this work with my email?
A:	Email is good for certain situations. However, it doesn't offer the immediacy of texting or the ability to reach customers when they are out. Since most people carry their phone with them everywhere you are sure to reach them. In addition, Street Savings is complementary to email. We provide a "sign up" link for your email or web site. Then, customers who receive your email or visit your web site can easily sign up for the text program.
Q:	"What if I don't want to commit to anything?"
A:	There are no long term contracts and you decide whether or not it is working for you.
Q	"I don't want to be a nuisance or spam my customers."
A:	Mobile marketing is a regulated industry. We offer certified text messaging that adheres to strict guidelines established by the cell phone companies. These guidelines ensure that customers "opt-in" and can easily "opt-out" if they do not want to receive any more messages. We will never spam.
Q:	"How many people will respond?"
A:	Well, that depends on the number of text offers sent. On average our customers have about 12% redemption rate, which is more than double any other form of advertising. And you get customers fast because you're delivering the offer right to their pocket!
Q:	"What if I'm not technical?"
A:	That's O.K. Street Savings mobile coupons and mobile rewards are very easy to use, especially our 'Set and Forget' program. We'll help create your first mobile deals. Then the program runs itself. If you want to send out a special offer immediately, we'll teach you how to do that too!
Q:	"I don't want the same customer reusing the same coupon."
A:	You have two options. First, you can use a short-term expiration such as a few hours or "today only." Additionally, with Street Savings mobile marketing you can include a coupon code in the message which can be entered into any standard credit card terminal for easy mobile coupon redemption.
Q:	"Why is this good way to advertise?"
A:	There are many reasons. Let us give you two. First, your offers are delivered and read quickly. Most text messages are read within 5 minutes of being sent. Unlike the newspaper or direct mail, you don't need to wait for it to be printed then delivered. So, if you're having a slow day, you can quickly send out a coupon to encourage customers to come in. The second reason is your customers don't have to clip your paper offers or remember to bring them. Everyone remembers to bring their phone!
Q:	"What other companies are using text message (SMS) marketing?"
A:	Pepsi, Domino's, Burger King, Doritos, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Chevrolet, CBS, Wendy's, most local sports teams and many more.
Q:	"Why can't I just compile a list of customers myself and send out coupons from my phone - I don't need you guys."
A:	Well, first you would be breaking the law. All text message marketing on cell phones must be conducted through an authorized company like Street Savings. Of course there are other text marketing companies. However, we've spent a lot of time fine tuning the system to make it easy for your customers to sign up and for you to send them mobile deals. Plus, our text messaging program is certified and uses a dedicated short code. This means your text message marketing program is not at risk of being shut down by carriers for non-compliance with industry rules. This is your chance to try it risk free!
Q:	"Does Street Savings provide bankcard processing services?"
A:	No. Street Savings does not compete with our independent agents by offering bankcard processing services.
Q:	"Why doesn't Street Savings include the industry mandated ‘opt out’ instructions (Reply STOP to cancel) in its' offer messages?"
A:	Because a text message can only have 160 characters, each character is valuable! Instead of including 'opt out' instructions in every message, Street Savings uses a monthly reminder message that provides 'opt out' instructions to subscribers. By using this carrier approved notification method, Street Savings is able to preserve all 160 characters for our merchants' marketing message. Competitive vendors who include 'opt out' instructions in each message only have 140 characters available for a merchants' offer.
Q:	"Do merchants have to pay for the monthly reminder message?"
A:	No. Street Savings provides this at no charge to the merchant.

Reseller FAQs

Reseller Questions?

Q:	"Why should I sell mobile marketing (SMS text messaging) to my merchants?"
Q:	"I've found many mobile marketing companies on the web. Why should I choose Street Savings?"
Q:	"Many other mobile marketing companies claim they comply with the rules of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). How do I know who is telling the truth?"
Q:	"Other mobile vendors allow resellers to white label or 'brand' the service. Why won't Street Savings allow this?"
Q:	"How can Street Savings have a dedicated short code with many different merchants using it? Isn't that a shared short code?"
Q:	"Why doesn't SS include the industry mandated 'opt out' instructions (Reply STOP to cancel) in its' offer messages?"
Q:	"Do merchants have to pay for the monthly reminder message?"

Agent FAQs Answered

Q:	"Why should I sell mobile marketing (SMS text messaging) to my merchants?"
A:	There are several reasons: It's a great 'door opener' for you to write new business. Mobile marketing is growing fast. Your merchants will want to learn about it because many large businesses such as Target, Starbucks, JC Penny and Bank of America all use mobile. You can bundle it with your processing and other financial products. Mobile technology is coming fast into the bankcard industry. In addition to mobile marketing, there are mobile terminals, mobile payment and commerce services. Offering a mobile marketing service helps position you as a 'complete mobile payments consultant'. Many agents already offer Gift and Loyalty from vendors such as Valutec. This gives you a mobile version of these products that can work with a plastic card or a card-less program.
Q:	"I've found many mobile marketing companies on the web. Why should I choose Street Savings?"
A:	There are many reasons to choose Street Savings as your mobile marketing partner. Street Savings is Designed for the Independent Agent Street Savings is designed especially for independent agents to sell to small to medium-sized businesses. We've packaged the product to make it easy for you to: a. explain to a merchant b. board a merchant c. bill merchant via credit and ACH d. pay agent commissions via ACH We've also made the product extremely easy for merchants to use with 'Set and Forget' features that get merchants experiencing the rewards of mobile marketing very quickly. Street Savings Works with Merchants' Existing Credit Card Terminals and POS Equipment Street Savings' certified text message mobile marketing service works with a variety of credit card terminals, Point of Sale Systems (POS) and industry standard gift and loyalty programs. Street Savings' integration with credit card terminals and POS's gives our agents a significant advantage over other mobile marketing vendors, including easy mobile deal redemption. This integration makes the Street Savings program significantly more powerful for the merchant and easier for you to sell. For example, Street Savings can determine the redemption percentage and revenue that was generated by a mobile marketing campaign. Also, text messages can be sent with a 'value' associated with them. These can be simply redeemed like any gift or loyalty transaction. Street Savings is Compliant with Industry Guidelines Just as banks and card associations govern the business practices of bankcard agents and ISOs, the FCC and wireless carriers exercise significant compliance authority over text message providers. Many mobile marketing companies do not comply with the published rules and risk having their service terminated at any time. Service termination occurs because of short code shutdown by carriers. If you partner with non-compliant mobile marketing vendors, then you and your merchants are at increased risk of losing service as well. To help educate the independent agent community, Street Savings published a white paper on the risks for ISOs involved with non-compliant text message marketing programs. Street Savings’ certified, dedicated short code ensures that entrepreneurs, independent agents and SMBs are not at short code risk with wireless carrier regulations.
Q:	"Many other mobile marketing companies claim they comply with the rules of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). How do I know who is telling the truth?"
A:	Unfortunately, you can be a member of the MMA and not comply with the rules! While the rules are published by the MMA, they do not enforce them. To educate yourself and protect your future business, read our white paper, "Text Message Mobile Marketing: Risks for ISOs, Agents, and SMBs Involved with Non-Compliant Programs." Then refer to our five step test, "Indications a Short Code is Being Shared," which will give you a handy tool to help determine if a competitive mobile providers' short code is susceptible to being shut down.
Q:	"Other mobile vendors allow resellers to white label or 'brand' the service. Why won't Street Savings allow this?"
A:	For industry compliant, cost effective and real time account provisioning, it is necessary to use a branded and certified message flow like the one Street Savings provides. Our certified message flow ensures that merchant campaigns are not at risk of being shutdown by carriers for non-compliance with published best practice guidelines. We adhere to published best practice guidelines including clear content provider disclosure and opt-in/opt-out procedures. To help educate the independent agent community, Street Savings published a white paper on the risks for ISOs involved with non-compliant text message marketing programs. You may co-brand this service in all of your sales materials.
Q:	"How can Street Savings have a dedicated short code with many different merchants using it? Isn't that a shared short code?"
A:	The wireless operators and industry groups agree that the difference between a dedicated and shared short code can be answered with a simple question. Is the content provider the same for all services on the short code? If more than one content provider is using the short code, then it is shared. Street Savings is the only content provider using its short code. How is Street Savings the sole content provider when merchants are sending out content (text messages) too? Just as a community shopper publication, such as Clipper Magazine, is a content provider enabling advertisers to influence readers, Street Savings is a content provider enabling merchants to reach customers on their mobile phone. Community Shopper advertisers' must adhere to the standards and formats for advertising in the publication. These business standards protect readers from profanity, inappropriate images (nudity/violence), unsubstantiated product claims etc. This is the same for Street Savings merchants who must adhere to our service standards including disclosure; which explains the nature of the service, word filters which block profanity, message black out periods to keep messages from being sent overnight, instructions for opt out and automatic service termination when the word STOP is sent.
Q:	"Why doesn't SS include the industry mandated 'opt out' instructions (Reply STOP to cancel) in its' offer messages?"
A:	Because a text message can only have 160 characters, each character is valuable! Instead of including 'opt out' instructions in every message, Street Savings uses a monthly reminder message that provides 'opt out' instructions to subscribers. By using this carrier approved notification method, Street Savings is able to preserve all 160 characters for our merchants' marketing message. Competitive vendors who include 'opt out' instructions in each message only have 140 characters available for a merchants' offer.
Q:	"Do merchants have to pay for the monthly reminder message?"
A:	No. Street Savings provides this at no charge to the merchant.

Consumer FAQs

Consumer Questions?

Q:	"How do you redeem coupons?"
Q:	"Aren't only teenagers are using text message marketing?"
Q:	"Is this too new for me?"
Q:	"What if I never text message?"
Q:	"Is this spam?"

Consumer FAQs Answered

Q:	"How do you redeem coupons?"
A:	Show the text message offer to the employee OR key in the unique code from the message into the credit card terminal or point of sale system.
Q:	"Aren't only teenagers are using text message marketing?"
A:	People aged 25 to 40 are the fastest growing demographic for text messaging. Millions of adults use text messaging every day, and the numbers are growing.
Q:	"Is this too new for me?"
A:	Well, it may sound new but the truth is that over 4 billion text messages are sent EVERY day. It is a proven way to communicate and a brand new way to promote your business.
Q:	"What if I never text message?"
A:	If you're like everybody else you may have had your doubts about the internet several years ago. Now it's commonplace. This is definitely the next wave of advertising.
Q:	"Is this spam?"
A:	No. This is a completely opt-in service. It's easy to stop. Just reply "stop" to any message.

Weather Alerts

Automatically text your customers based on the weather! This popular example of a 'Set and Forget' message shows the flexibility and versatility of our system.

Street Savings - Weather Alerts