Blogs are all about conversations … yeah right, I hear you say. Well, if anyone is in any doubt that blogs can stimulate an often more informative and stimulating debate than main stream media, then head over to Media Influencer.

However, perhaps Andrew Bud can explain to us why the world is a better place now that penurious teenagers can sign up for regular expensive delivery of ringtones chosen by someone else.

Almost every recurring charge sale of this sort is of extremely dubious value (think book clubs or collectable china). mBlox may be following the law precisely, but the ethics of the ringtone industry are still up the wazoo.

Frankly I’d see the industry as more honest if they were peddling weed. At least kids would get a decent high out of the bargain.

When blogging about something that has caught your eye, sometimes the other people reading what you have written can add a new dimension to the subject. Over on Media Influencer, a seemingly off-hand blog about a controversy regarding some questionable…

What is striking to me is that the honest response in the blog comments here is far more enlightening than the original quote featured on the BBC website. Proof that the discussion-oriented approach of blogs is better than the top-down reporting of traditional media?

Can’t you refuse to do business with them? I mean, your opinion of their practices doesn’t seem to be very high. Why not refuse their business and set the bar a little higher? That you make only pennies out of their scam is hardly noble or even excusable.

When blogging about something that has caught your eye, sometimes the other people reading what you have written can add a new dimension to the subject. Over on Media Influencer, a seemingly off-hand blog about a controversy regarding some questionable…

Hannah, we have tested Jamster’s service to ensure they are sending that first, crucial message, and they always do – they are punctilious about following the rules. Otherwise they’d be in breach of the industry code, and that would not be tolerated. If you didn’t receive it, I’d like to find out why. Could you please give me a call at mBlox (you have the number), tell us your mobile number, and we will trace what happened.

The implication of your story is that mBlox is basically responsible for your plight, and is somehow a serial offender. Both of those are utterly wrong. In my earlier post I hope I dispatched the first point. As to our ICSTIS track-record, since we have nearly 1000 clients it does occasionally happen that one of them breaks the rules. Our record is as good as the best in this industry.

I feel especially aggrieved because we have been industry leaders in trying to put things onto a better footing. Back in November, I initiated and led the industry side of the project that put in the first rules; then in the context of the consumer dissatisfaction you rightly highlight, about three weeks ago I initiated another round of consultations on tightening up the rules on advertising and promotion. I believe mBlox has had a very high reputation for diligence and good behaviour in the industry – just read what is said about us on Grumbletext.

As the largest processor of mobile payment transactions in the world, we care deeply about our reputation. When you propagate the story, I’d be grateful if you’d take care to ensure you don’t damage it gratuitously.

I’m sure Andrew Bud would agree that this level of consumer dissatisfaction with the ringtone industry is worrying.

http://www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/1229/companyname/Jamster.html

http://www.grumbletext.co.uk/

I explained exactly what happened to me in the article, without leaving out a single detail.

This includes the fact that when the texts began to arrive I visited the Jamster site to find out a) if I had subscribed by buying a single text and b) if I was being charged and if so how much. I was unable to find this information.

I also sent an email to Jamster’s customer service email address asking these questions and got an automated response, which did not give any information about cost, subscription or unsubscribing.

However, I really appreciate the explanation and thanks for bothering to comment here. This puts the ‘blame’, if there is any, into the journo’s court as she did not let you explain (or elaborated herself) the whole story in the article. Oops, now I am being rude about her…

Also, blogging about an article I saw in the form it was published is not rude… it’s what I see and as a result criticise. I glad you took the opportnity to explain here and the world is a more informed place as a result. Thank you.