Did You Receive an Abandoned Cart Text Message?

People who shop online or from their phones often leave something in their online “shopping cart” to come back to later. If a person starts the checkout process but doesn’t finish it, then this is considered an abandoned cart.

Some companies have begun following up with shoppers who leave unpurchased items in their carts. These shoppers may receive a text message they didn’t consent to receive, drawing their attention back to the abandoned cart in hopes they will make a purchase.

More and more businesses are using cookies to track their users on websites, including those who add something to their cart or take some other kind of action on the website, like signing up for an email list.

This information is then used by the company to continue to promote the products or services through additional messaging methods like email or even Facebook ad retargeting. If a consumer opts in to receive communication from a company, like actively signing up for an email list, this is different from someone who receives an unwanted text message.

An abandoned cart text message usually comes in the form of a reminder or a special offer extended to a user who appeared to be thinking about buying something but did not complete the checkout and purchase process.

Why Do Companies Use an Abandoned Cart Text Message?

Companies looking to boost their conversion rates rely on text messages as a way to further engage your interest and attempt to get you to buy. In fact, according to Slick Text, one company offering the service of sending abandoned cart text messages, businesses can “recover more revenue” by signing up for text message reminder services.

The business sending the text messages can make it seem like this information is very personalized, but it’s all being captured and sent out via a piece of software. If a consumer didn’t sign up for these text messages from the company, however, the messages could be considered spam texts.

Some research shows that when implemented correctly, this strategy can be highly effective in getting a response from consumers. Plenty of online orders are left alone without a purchase. In fact, up to 80 percent of intended online purchases are not completed at the time the person puts the item into their cart, according to smsbump.com.

As a result of how many potential sales are lost, companies are looking for ways to grab those customers back and text messages are one form of marketing that has become popular in recent years.

Are These Texts Allowed Under the TCPA?

Consumers do have rights when it comes to text messages sent their way, and it’s usually a federal law called the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) that protects them in the event that a company crosses the line with unwanted spam text messages.

Under this law, consumers are protected from a variety of different actions on the part of businesses including robocalls and the use of prerecorded voice messages, automatic telephone dialing systems, and certain SMS and fax messages.

As shared by one company helping e-commerce websites remain compliant with the TCPA, a company cannot just use the information collected during the checkout process to market to that same consumer.

Unless the consumer has provided digital consent or agreed to receive text messages for marketing purposes, it’s a violation of the customer’s rights for the company to gather that information and then use it for marketing purposes.

An abandoned cart text message could violate the law and enable a consumer to file lawsuit for text message spam.

Join a Free Abandoned Cart Text Message Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you received abandoned cart text messages from online retailers without giving the company your consent, you may qualify to join an abandoned cart text message class action lawsuit investigation.

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