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Speakout website.(USA maybe global)
February 5, 2008
11:54 pm
Emmanuel
Guest
Guests

Hello folks, I need some feedback.

I have been in talks with 711 HQ, They have asked me what is it you would like to see on the website ?

It will most likely be http://www.711.com/speakout

Please tell me what do you want to see on the website. I dont think you would be able to buy the phones online or refill them online but what other things do you want to see on the website?

Thanks, I will check back on here in about a week.

February 6, 2008
10:36 am
Bylo
Guest
Guests

http://www.711.com/speakout

Doesn't work.

In any case, your first priority (after you get the site working 😉 ) is to develop an online account management system so that SpeakOut users can monitor their usage, do top-ups online by credit card or voucher, send SMS messages, etc.

February 6, 2008
11:41 am
ROOF
Guest
Guests

What the website requires:

1. Coverage maps.
2. Explicit cost breakdowns per call:
2a. You have a Vancouver phone and someone calls you when you are in Vancouver. (20 cents/ minute)
2b. You have a Vancouver phone and someone calls you when you are in Toronto. (20 cents/ minute + LD of 10 cents/ minute = 30 cents)
2c. You have a Vancouver phone and you call Vancouver while you are in Toronto. (20 cents/ minute + LD of 10 cents/ minute = 30 cents)
2d. You have a Vancouver phone and you call a Toronto phone while you are in Toronto. (20 cents/ minute)
3. International long distance rate table.
4. Ability to send SMS text msg to phone: see http://www.telusmobility.com/s.....sage.shtml
5. Ability to check your account status online. Amount on account and date of expiry of your minutes.
6. Instructions on how to send a text to an e-mail account.
7. List of current promotions.
8. Ability to buy minutes and phones online. (My friends in Halifax had to go with Petrocan because there is no 7-eleven east of Ontario)
9. Pictures of current phones and prices.
10. User manuals in .pdf for all current and past phones.
11. Explanation that the phones can NOT be used in the USA and US phones can not be used here.

February 6, 2008
12:36 pm
Andrew
Guest
Guests

As a sidenote, it's not likely that 7-11 will be interested in top-ups via the website, as part of the whole point of the exercise is to get people into the store, where they might purchase a slushie while they're there.

I love the idea of accessing voicemail over the website, but this isn't vonage we're talking about.

February 6, 2008
1:08 pm
sapien
Guest
Guests

I'm just totally brainstorming here so bear with me. I figure you might as well ask for the world when you get the chance. I also tried to add some business justifications for my requests in hopes it will help my cause. 🙂

I'm not sure if it's possible but it sure would be nice if you could change your phone number online. For example, here's some scenerios where it would be nice if you could just do it via the website
- you're moving and you need a new phone number in a different area code
- you want to see if you can get a vanity/customized phone number
- you're getting harassing phone calls or whatever and you just want to change your phone number
- you're transferring your number from a different carrier.

Hopefully that would help them cut down on their call volume to the support center. I wouldn't even mind if they charged for the service, but at least offer it via the website.

I realize 7-11 is not in cell phone business per say but what about offering ringtones, etc that you can send/download to your phone or selling accessories (batteries, extra chargers, etc) for their phones from the website? I would think there's good profit margins in that kind of stuff.

Or the ability to upload pix, etc from the phone. Again a service they could charge for.

I've mentioned this before and realize it's impossible with their current infrastructure/setup but if they're not going to sell phones from their website (because I assume they want the foot traffic in the store), it would be nice if the website tracked which stores had inventory so you wouldn't have to call around or visit multiple stores. If you think about it, this would save the all the stores time/money? answering calls from people looking for a specific phone model, whatever.

February 6, 2008
1:17 pm
Bylo
Guest
Guests

part of the whole point of the exercise is to get people into the store, where they might purchase a slushie while they're there

Consider gas stations. The price of gasoline is so competitive that most of the profit is in non-gas items bought in the convenience store. Same sort of situation as at 7-11, eh?

So then why do most self-serve stations now accept credit cards at the pumps and some even have EasyPay/Speedpass key fobs that make it so much easier to not go into the store and buy those high-margin items they need to be profitable?

February 6, 2008
3:50 pm
talus
Guest
Guests

So then why do most self-serve stations now accept credit cards at the pumps and some even have EasyPay/Speedpass key fobs that make it so much easier to not go into the store and buy those high-margin items they need to be profitable?

Because the customer demands it. I don't go to any station where I can't pay at the pump now.

February 6, 2008
4:08 pm
Bylo
Guest
Guests

Because the customer demands it.

Bingo! That's the same reason why 7-11 should provide for online top-ups.

February 6, 2008
8:58 pm
Andrew
Guest
Guests

ROOF said:

11. Explanation that the phones can NOT be used in the USA and US phones can not be used here.


US and Canadian GSM handsets operate at the same frequencies, thus they are useable cross-border. However, you need a local SIM because Speakout Canada doesn't have roaming service.

May 27, 2008
5:33 pm
sol
Guest
Guests

I have a couple things, in order of importance to me:

1. The ability to check usage online. I want to see my account breakdown.

2. A promotions page that tells me what's upcoming in terms of deals and phones.

And that's about it!

I don't expect this to be a huge, full-service system. I just want some basics...

December 3, 2008
12:20 am
PaulAnderson
Newbie
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Forum Posts: 1
Member Since:
December 2, 2008
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US and Canadian GSM handsets operate at the same frequencies, thus they are useable cross-border. However, you need a local SIM because Speakout Canada doesn't have roaming service.It is a good set.

July 6, 2009
11:35 am
Chris
Guest
Guests

Andrew said:

ROOF said:

11. Explanation that the phones can NOT be used in the USA and US phones can not be used here.


US and Canadian GSM handsets operate at the same frequencies, thus they are useable cross-border. However, you need a local SIM because Speakout Canada doesn't have roaming service.


where do you get a SIM card?? I have a Canadian Speak-out phone and am going to the states- do I get it at a 7-11 there??? And how do I use it??

July 6, 2009
3:20 pm
Big Ang
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Forum Posts: 243
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October 22, 2008
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Go to any 7-11 in the US and you'll be able to buy whatever phone and SIM you want.

You won't be able to use your Canadian number though, it will be a separate phone line, account, etc etc.

But the good news is that it's cheap. Check out the deals on the 7-11 US website. You can get a Tracfone for $10. Sure, you won't be able to use it when you're back here, but for $10 plus the airtime you use, who cares?

July 6, 2009
9:12 pm
iamdrumming
Niagara Falls
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October 14, 2008
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I agree with Big Ang,

Tracfone, or Net10 is probably your cheapest option. Like SO in Canada, you can't go into a 7-Eleven in the USA and just buy the sim card. You have to buy the phone too.

Another cheap option is do what I did for awhile. I bought my USA sim (AT & T) from Ebay. You can get them from there for about $5.00 Canadian.