Toople Share Discussion Threads

[chestnuts] 07/7/2019 22:38

2mex

I think its a great idea out of hrs phone answering but it goes to show forms on the internet ie Merlin is not always what the customer wants, ie the good old phone and a friendly voice on the other end.

[bobdown2] 07/7/2019 21:36

2mex..spot on. To list a few by problem change over problems. Exchange work. Personnel mistakes. Missed appointments. Network failure..ie someone uses topples intended line because it appears to be spare. Some of the t.p reviews do look to be simular to the network providers...however toople are piggy backing and do not have the network expense and so will get some t.p reviews that are beyond their control..

[2mex] 07/7/2019 20:45

chestnuts, fortunately Toople don't have to open envelopes but yes, there is a human element to Toople.

Because it is digital the info is focused into a database. Toople will need to cope with a dramatic step change in sales which is happening. There will be some chasing to do with Openreach etc.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 20:36

chestnuts, the impact from the Durban office means that it will be easier to get through to Toople which will actually be positive for TrustPilot reviews :o)

[chestnuts] 07/7/2019 20:35

2mex

I know how the merlin system works, but i know from experience things get lost,

Me and the wife have just cashed in some government bonds we sent the forms through the post, we put the forms in one envelope, they cashed in my bonds but my wifes have been lost it seems they have automatic envelope openers and it only picked out my form and lost my wifes so after 3 phone calls they are sending out another form, so some thing very simple became complicated.

[fatnacker] 07/7/2019 20:31

I've said it before but worth repeating, toople trustpilot score is astonishingly good, check out bt or three or any com company you can think of for a comparison.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 20:19

Ollie (Warrington) signs someone up to broadband at 4:50pm Monday.

Stephanie (Warrington) signs someone up to broadband at 4:55pm Monday.

Ray (Durban) signs someone up to broadband at 5:05pm Monday.

All signed up via Merlin.

Ollie doesn't have to tell Stephanie. Stephanie doesn't have to tell Ray. Ray doesn't have to tell Ollie etc. They are all using Merlin.

The admin is applied to each as a matter of course.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 19:59

Merlin centralises the system.

A rep sitting in the Durban office might as well being sitting next to someone in the Warrington office.

There is no "between them". They are one.

[chestnuts] 07/7/2019 19:55

2mex

Having 2 offices can some time lose customers details between them, and then we could get bad reviews

[2mex] 07/7/2019 19:09

chestnuts, its a question of budget and business model. It was envisaged that Toople would be biased towards being digital with actual live contact minimal. The sales team respond during office hours. This actually works but they have been losing half of their potential customers simply by not being available.

Toople have known this for some time now and have taken radical steps to address it. Toople have been looking for the best way to reduce costs and expand the sales window. The South Africa office has been implemented as the way forward.

Earlier you mentioned preferring expansion of the Warrington office. I much prefer having the South Africa office because steady-state operating costs are 50% compared to UK.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 18:22

ff2345, comment appreciated.

Looking at the info provided, the previously "lost" 50% of enquiries will now be contactable in a "timely fashion". This is a powerful advance for Toople.

I will maintain my opinion that we will see a step change in Retail sales brought about by the South Africa office.

South Africa will already be having some influence but not yet at full pace.

The other key point is that this is new business at no extra cost in digital marketing.

[ff2345] 07/7/2019 18:03

2mex: I'm not changing my projections for the SA operation. Understood that they should generate more in sales revenue than they cost, but I think it will take some time for the benefits to kick in.

[lukehold] 07/7/2019 17:36

*self-sufficiency

[lukehold] 07/7/2019 17:32

If they dialled back on the marketing spend they could be cash positive now. Strangely I think a less aggressive marketing plan would help the share price in this case. Showing self sufficiently and focus on quality and customer service, not forgetting why people are leaving BT is important, saving a few pounds per month to a business isn't the main reason.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 16:33

ff2345, your estimate was a few days ago but, in light of the recent RNS, have you factored in the effect of the new South Africa office?

[2mex] 07/7/2019 16:27

D-T, there are three opinions posted here at the moment.

I think the company will be trading in overall profit by April 2020.

ff2345 has posted expected "cash flow positive" by June 2020.

Another poster (please remind me) expects early 2020.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 16:23

rct, that's a good holding. I don't know why they insist on 3% as the limit before notifying market. It should be 5%!

[donald_tramp] 07/7/2019 16:17

when is cash flow positive anyone?

[realcooltrader] 07/7/2019 16:14

2mex, LOL, OK, I'll amend that statement - "Before the recent placing I had 2.99% of the company, the most I've ever held of a PLC. I've not worked out how much of the company I now own, but I have no more spare dosh anyway."

[donald_tramp] 07/7/2019 16:11

same post, doh this mobile.

[donald_tramp] 07/7/2019 16:10

Looks like an interesting company but when will do they say profit will happen?

[2mex] 07/7/2019 15:51

chestnuts, I appreciate your candour about numbers.

However, those numbers are calculated from accurate data provided.

[2mex] 07/7/2019 15:43

realcooltrader you don't have too many....fullstop :o)