Text-a-Fido... or not quite

I saw this advertisement on television the other day. I think it was on the TV channel, Classic FM.

It’s from the Dog Trust here in the UK. The advert’s basic message was: Pay us a pound a month and that’ll (sort of) sponsor a dog. Accompanied by nice music and some footage of a little dog jumping about happily, it was enough to get my attention.

‘A pound a month? Sure thing,’ I thought. Might as well.

My handset was already out so I waited for the end of the advert and, sure enough, the phone numbers began to display.

Excellent.

I waited for the text portion.

Only…. that never came.

If you want to sponsor a dog, you have to phone up.

Thing is, I know how these things work. I know that there’s a lady in a call centre somewhere sat waiting for me to phone. She’s ready to type all my details into a system that will then direct debit me a pound a month, on going… and send me out a nice thank-you letter.

Trouble is, I’ve got no patience for a 4 minute ‘my name is’ session.

I just couldn’t be arsed to phone. In the plain light of day, I know that previous sentence will read terribly… does it make me out to be some heartless arse?

Or, does it point to the reality. The truth.

There’s another way. I would have sent a text message. I genuinely would have sent ‘DOGTRUST’ to some shortcode for 1.50… or, actually, 3.00 pounds (just for the convenience of not having to speak to Mandy in Huddersfield).

I bought the ad’s concept. I wanted to transact.

Only the chartiy hasn’t bothered getting itself a shortcode.

I wonder what IDIOT telecommunications consultancy or service provider has advised them not to do this — or has STOOD BY whilst the marketing manager at the Dog Trust has ignored the medium of text.

It’s absolutely 100% ridiculous.

What’s more, I’ve had enough.

I’m going to do something about it.

PS you can get info at sponsoradog.org.uk.