Skoop! - FAQs

As a Skoop! member, you'll receive exclusive deals, insider info and hot news from all of your favorite local stores, bars, restaurants, clubs, and businesses - straight to your mobile phone. No email, no internet connection, no waiting. Simply put, Skoop! is your new best friend.

Where do I sign up?

Just click the "Sign Up" button on the main page and you'll be on your way. It only takes a minute or two - we promise.

How does Skoop! work?

After finding and subscribing to your favorite local merchants on GetSkoop.com, you'll start getting great deals, news, and updates from them sent as text messages to your cell phone. If a merchant sends you a deal or any other type of offer, just show the text message to the cashier or waiter/waitress when you are paying...it's like a paper coupon, only better!

Do I need the internet on my cell phone?

Nope. Deals and news from your selected Skoop! merchants are always sent using standard text messaging (also known as SMS, or short messaging service). If you have a cell phone that can receive text messages - which includes almost everyone - then you're set!

What is a "keyword" and "shortcode"?

A keyword is a single word that identifies a specific Skoop! "campaign" (geek speak) in our system. A short code is a 5 or 6 digit number that is created specifically for text messaging purposes. Sending a text message to a short code is just like sending a text message to a normal phone number. Our short code is 75667 (SKOOP).

So, let's imagine you want to receive deals and news from that great coffee shop around the block, Downtown Roasters. They are running a campaign that will send you a text message every Friday morning letting you know what band is performing in the store that night. They have a unique keyword - let's say it's "ROAST". To subscribe, all you have to do is send a text message with the word "ROAST" to 75667. Yep, it's that easy.

Does this cost me anything?

Skoop! does not charge you anything! Message and data rate charges from your carrier, however, still apply.

What about spam?

We hate spam. Nobody likes spam. So trust us: You'll never, ever, ever receive a message from a merchant that you are not subscribed to.

It is up to the merchant to decide how many messages to send you, but it's rarely more than a handful a week. Actually, it will never be more than 20 messages per month for each campaign. All campaigns lists the maximum number of alerts per month. You'll notice that most campaigns send much less than 20 alerts per month. Remember, you can always unsubscribe from a merchant's campaign if you no longer want to receive their messages. (See below: How do I unsubscribe from a campaign?).

What is your privacy policy?

Your information (name, cell phone number, email address, etc.) will never be used for anything other than sending you messages originating from those campaigns that you have an active subscription for. To protect you, your personal information is encrypted and buried deep in the Skoop! data vault.

I have a problem. What should I do?

If you can't find the answer to your question in the FAQs, head on over to the Contact Us section and drop us a line. We'll respond as soon as possible.

I'm signed up and ready. Where do I start?

First, choose your location by using the tab on the main navigation bar. After you pick the region that you're in, you'll see all of the merchants that are running Skoop! campaigns near you. You can pick your specific city, or sort the results by merchants' category. After you click on a merchant that interests you, you will be brought to the merchant's Skoop! listing.

How do I use the search box in the top right of the page?

You can search for a category of merchant (ex. Restaurant), or sub-category (ex. Mexican). If you know the keyword of the merchant (ex. ROAST), you can search for that as well.

Okay, I found my favorite local store! What's next?

Now is the fun part. On the merchant page you will see a "Subscribe" button. If you click it, you'll be asked to add this merchant to My Favorites. Click "Add". You'll soon receive an "opt-in" message on you cell phone. Depending on the campaign, you might even receive another message right away with a deal! This should only take a few seconds. From that point on you're subscribed to the merchant's campaign and will start getting all kinds of great stuff sent to you.

You can also subscribe to a merchant when you are away from your computer, hanging around town with your friends. If you see a sign in a local window that says: "Text [KEYWORD] to 75667 to receive great deals from us," you can do that too! It's essentially the same thing as subscribing from GetSkoop.com. Got that?

Can I get a merchant's listing information sent to my mobile?

Yes. Once you are subscribed to a campaign, just text the campaign's keyword (again) to 75667 you will receive a text message containing the merchant's address, phone number, and website (if applicable).

How do I unsubscribe from a campaign?

There are two ways to unsubscribe from any particular campaign. You can go to "My Skoops" on GetSkoop.com, find the merchant you no longer want to be subscribed to, and click Unsubscribe.

If you just text STOP to 75667 you will be unsubscribed from the last merchant that sent you a message.

To unsubscribe from all of your Skoop! merchant campaigns completely, send the words STOP ALL to 75667.

Where can I change my settings?

If you click "My Account" in the top right of the page, you'll be able to change all of your settings, including your phone number.

This is awesome, but right now there isn't anything in my area! When will you guys have merchants near me?

While we would love to have every merchant in the country on GetSkoop.com, unfortunately there are only so many hours in the day. But don't worry, we're working overtime to sign-up as many merchants as humanly possible.

Even if there aren't many merchants near you, we would suggest signing up anyway...that way, once we're near you, you'll be the first to know. Also, check out our Facebook page and become a fan!

I'm the owner of a local store or business and I would love to be included on GetSkoop.com. Where do I get started?

If you are a small business owner and would like to run mobile campaigns like those featured on GetSkoop.com, click the "Advertise With Skoop!" tab on the main page. We'd love to have you!