(Virtual number is $5 a month and physical number is $20 a day)
Our upstream provider of virtual numbers filters out verification codes from services like Google, Facebook, and Twitter.
The advantage of using a physical number is that no messages are filtered out.
They are more expensive because they are more expensive to me. And the typical customer only uses a physical number for one day, where the minimum purchase time for a virtual number is one month, so the effective price to the customer is "only" 4 times as much.
It's better than Twilio because Twilio filter out verification code messages, and because Twilio don't allow anonymous signup or Bitcoin payment.
And how would it even work? Would you post the gift cards to the company, and then they'd add to your balance when they receive them?
How is it better for either the customer or the business, compared to Bitcoin?
Plus I hardly spend any money in either Starbucks or Subway, so I'd then presumably need to find someone to sell them on to.
Surely it would be easier for both parties if you posted physical cash than physical gift cards (customer doesn't need to buy the gift cards, and business doesn't need to sell them).
I usually pay Bitcoin with my mobile wallet. Could you add a QR code for payment? Thanks!
Not listed in the article: I run https://smsprivacy.org/
We don't require any identifying information for signup (not even an email address). We take payment in Bitcoin.
We have cheap virtual numbers available where our upstream provider blocks signup verification codes, and more expensive "physical numbers" available to receive verification codes.
Featured on Indie Hackers here: https://www.indiehackers.com/businesses/sms-privacy
Revenue has now grown to nearly $1200/mo.
Ask me Anything!