SMS Messaging Policy & Consent

Last updated: [DATE]. Effective: [DATE].

Template draft — final review required. This document has been drafted to be comprehensive but has not yet been reviewed by an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Before going live, replace every [BRACKETED] placeholder with the corresponding real value (legal entity name, state, address, support email, governing-law venue, etc.) and have an attorney confirm it covers the laws applicable to your business and your customers' locations.

This policy explains how SMS messaging works on MyTradeCrate. It applies both to MyTradeCrate customers (the contractors and trades businesses sending SMS through the Service) and to message recipients (the end-customers receiving messages). It is part of and incorporated into the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.

For Message Recipients

Who is sending these messages?

SMS messages you receive are sent by a trades business that uses MyTradeCrate, a software platform. The business name appears in every message. MyTradeCrate acts only as the technical conduit for the message and has no separate relationship with you.

What messages will I get?

Appointment reminders before scheduled services.
Estimates ready for review.
Invoices and payment receipts.
Service follow-ups and review requests.
Replies to support requests you initiated.

Frequency varies based on your service schedule. Most recipients receive between one (1) and five (5) messages per month during active service periods.

Cost

Standard message and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply. Neither MyTradeCrate nor the sending business charges you to receive these messages.

How to stop messages (opt out)

Reply STOP to any message to immediately unsubscribe. You will receive one final confirmation message, then no further messages from that business. Reply HELP for help.

Re-subscribing

If you opt out and later change your mind, contact the business directly (their phone number is on every invoice or estimate they sent you) and ask to be re-added. They must collect fresh, documented opt-in consent before sending you SMS again.

For Businesses Sending SMS Through MyTradeCrate

You are the sender — you are responsible for consent

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227, FCC implementing regulations (47 C.F.R. § 64.1200), the FTC's telemarketing rules, applicable state "mini-TCPA" statutes (e.g., Florida, Oklahoma, Washington), CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices, and 10DLC carrier rules, you are the sender. MyTradeCrate is a technology provider; it does not pre-screen content or initiate messages on its own behalf.

Before sending any commercial SMS through MyTradeCrate you must obtain and document express written consent from each recipient. The consent record must:

Clearly identify your business by legal name and DBA.
Describe the categories of messages the recipient will receive (appointment reminders, estimates, invoices, follow-ups, etc.).
State that consent is not a condition of any purchase.
State that message and data rates may apply.
State expected message frequency.
Include clear opt-out instructions (reply STOP).
Be retained for at least four (4) years.

Recommended consent language

By providing your mobile phone number and checking this box, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS messages from [YOUR LEGAL BUSINESS NAME] ("[DBA]") regarding appointments, estimates, invoices, receipts, and service-related updates. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to opt out. See SMS terms at [your-domain]/legal/sms-consent and privacy policy at [your-domain]/legal/privacy.

What MyTradeCrate does automatically

Every outbound message is logged for compliance evidence.
STOP, START, and HELP keywords are handled by the upstream carrier (Telnyx) in accordance with CTIA guidelines.
Once a recipient opts out, MyTradeCrate blocks further sends from your Account to that number.
10DLC throughput limits, sender ID, and registered campaign association are enforced per carrier requirements.

What MyTradeCrate requires of you

Do not import phone numbers without documented per-number opt-in.
Do not send marketing or promotional content to recipients who have not consented to that category specifically.
Do not send messages outside permitted hours (generally 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM in the recipient's local time; more restrictive in certain states).
Honor every opt-out request immediately and permanently for that number.
Maintain records of consent and opt-out for at least four (4) years and produce them on request.
Do not use MyTradeCrate to send messages on behalf of any third party other than the trades business associated with your Account.

10DLC registration (required for U.S. business SMS)

U.S. carriers require all application-to-person (A2P) SMS traffic to be registered through the 10DLC framework. If you send SMS through MyTradeCrate to U.S. recipients, you must complete registration through our messaging provider, Telnyx:

Register your Brand (legal business name + EIN) in Telnyx.
Create a Messaging Campaign matching your use case (typically Customer Care or Account Notifications).
Wait for The Campaign Registry (TCR) approval (typically 24–72 hours).
Assign your messaging profile to the approved campaign.
Until approval, throughput is heavily throttled and many messages will be blocked outright. Unregistered traffic risks fines.

Prohibited content

SHAFT-S content (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, plus Cannabis and CBD) without proper carrier registration and age-gating.
Lead generation for third parties not directly named in the opt-in.
Loans, credit-repair, debt-collection, debt-reduction, or get-rich-quick offers.
Misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent claims; phishing or smishing.
Malware links or URL shorteners that mask destination domains.
Content prohibited by Telnyx, the CTIA, or the destination carrier.

Consequences of violations

Violations may result in (a) immediate suspension of SMS sending from your Account, (b) suspension or termination of your MyTradeCrate Subscription, (c) carrier-imposed fines passed through to you, and (d) civil liability under the TCPA. TCPA statutory damages range from $500 to $1,500 per message, are commonly pursued in class actions, and are not covered by yourMyTradeCrate Subscription. You are responsible for these consequences regardless of whether you intended the violation.

Carrier and Regulatory Information

Upstream provider: Telnyx LLC.
Destination carriers: all major U.S. carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular) and their MVNOs.
Compliance frameworks: TCPA, CAN-SPAM, FCC and FTC rules, CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices, 10DLC, CASL (for Canadian recipients).

Contact

Questions about SMS compliance: [SUPPORT EMAIL].