Chikka wisens up


Time was when I used Chikka with a little twinge of guilt. That’s because it allowed me to send text messages to my friends for free.

…And to top it off, I always ended my messages with "<chikka>" just to remind my textees that they should not reply to my message lest they get charged P2.50. Which of course essentially blows the entire Chikka business model of feeding off these paid replies to your free texts.


So I guess I was quite relieved when Chikka started implementing a policy where you cannot text further to anybody unless that person replies at least once. That… kind of removes a bit of the guilt from my hands, heheh.

Masquerading as an “anti-spam” feature, this new tweak prevents people like me from taking advantage of poor Chikka to the hilt. Bottom line is, it prunes out all those folks who refuse to reply to a Chikka message at all. Of course, this won’t prune out tightwads who only reply once in their lifetimes, just for compliance.

So just the same, I still end my messages with "<chikka>" (or just "<c>" once the textee gets the hang of it). Because, heck, I AM a cheapskate.

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November 1st, 2005
15 Responses
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Head Geekette
Posted on:
11/2/2005 at 8:44 am

Not only that, Chikka has FINALLY been able to fix itself up so that any computer that has Java-enabled web browsers can use the service. That means people who would rather use Linux, Mac OS, etc can finally take advantage of the Chikka service.

To top it off, if you’re a GAIM instant messenger user, there’s a plug-in called Chix which connects to the Chikka server and allows you to use your chikka account from the instant messenger. The wonderful thing about this is that you can now keep a log on your chikka conversations without having to copy-and-paste to archive your chat. :D

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
kenna
Posted on:
11/2/2005 at 10:24 pm

nooooooooo!!!!!!

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Ka Webspy
Posted on:
11/4/2005 at 9:36 pm

I am enjoying with Chikka. Actually I did not experience yet the policy you are talking. I spent my 30 credit for SMART without a single reply of my textmate right directly to CHikka.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
miranoriel
Posted on:
11/7/2005 at 9:28 am

Hmm. Okay, fine. Chikka has its uses. I used to be one of those people who NEVER replied to a Chikka-sent message. P2.50 to reply to someone who sent to me for free?! Are you kidding?

Unfortunately, my partner in crimes against humanity and rival for world domination recently went out of the country and I had no choice but to do the Chikka thing, to the point of replying via cellphone, extra buck-and-a-half to SMS be damned.

So fine, Chikka has its uses. You can stay in touch whenever, wherever. For P2.50 when you’re caught with just your cellphone on hand. Grumble. Pout.

Oh look, he texted me via Chikka! Woohoo! Excuse me, gotta reply…

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
apr
Posted on:
11/9/2005 at 4:52 pm

actually chikka’s Php2.50 a text is quite a fair price compared to a normal Php15.00 international text.

i do have a chikka account, but it’s been literally ages since i used it. why? because messages dont even reach my friends. period.

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
woodstocker
Posted on:
11/13/2005 at 1:08 pm

Thanks to chikka for FREE sending of SMS and MMS. It’s now open to SUN users. I can now send them for free. Even on abroad like US, Japan, etc. You can check the countries wherein you can send sms for free via chikka on “option” then click the “show avlble credits”. It listed all the chikka countries. I lyk freebies! COOL!

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
violadelesseps
Posted on:
11/14/2005 at 4:51 pm

To go around this anti-spam feature, just delete your buddy’s name. Then add the name again and Voila! You can now send messages to him or her!

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
Jv
Posted on:
11/17/2005 at 4:37 pm

But does anybody know why the bugger keep on asking to reply or else the chikka user will be blocked?! this has been going on since yesterday. my friend replied to my chikka account not once but around 3 times already, and after a while, on my (the chikka user) 3rd or 4th reply, it is asking to wait for the mobile user to reply to chikka AGAIN. poor friend of mine, he’s got to fork out another P2.50 just so that i can reply! =(

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
vince
Posted on:
11/19/2007 at 10:48 am

Rumors are circulating that the head of chikka in philippines are doing favors for friends and diclosing IP address of other chikka members. What a shame there are a lot of chikka users all over the world. Hope this is not true giving away the privacy of their clients.

Comment Number:
10
Written by:
chikkador
Posted on:
1/2/2008 at 6:32 pm

Try the new chikka web messenger! No need to download!

http://new.chikka.com

Comment Number:
11
Written by:
madelinedegrano
Posted on:
4/25/2008 at 6:01 pm

i like chikka bec. everday i send free msg to my family in philippines i am here in lebanon good job chikka

Comment Number:
12
Written by:
analyn bobis
Posted on:
4/25/2008 at 6:04 pm

i want to thx to chikka bec. thts website are very good four me i alaways send msg to my freind in philippines and u.s.a

Comment Number:
13
Written by:
rayane
Posted on:
4/25/2008 at 6:06 pm

i like chikka more and more i am frm lebanon but i use chikka to send msg to my house maid there in phils tnx chikka more power to u godbless u more

Comment Number:
14
Written by:
realyn
Posted on:
7/22/2008 at 1:19 pm

i think you right………to have this chikka we can send message for free…..

Comment Number:
15
Written by:
Ann
Posted on:
8/2/2008 at 5:05 pm

Hey, does anyone know how to reload these credits?? Whew, I don’t know how, because I’m a new user see. But then again, my friends doesn’t want to reply because of the 2.50 thing. So, what do I do to continue my free texting???