SMS Messaging Terms

Last updated October 6, 2026

This page describes the text-message program run by Unit Sphere Labs LLC ("we"). It is called Ask the Sign Staff Notifications. It is separate from, and supplements, our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Text messages aren't switched on yet. Staff alerts go by email for now; these terms apply once texts are on.

In short: We text only staff of participating places who verified their own number, only about customer questions and account verification, never for marketing. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help. Message and data rates may apply.

Who receives the texts

Only staff of participating places (the stores, restaurants, hotels, venues and other places that use Ask the Sign). The business owner adds a staff member's mobile number in the Ask the Sign console. We then send that number a one-time verification code, and the number can receive other Ask the Sign texts only after someone enters that code in the console. Customers never receive text messages from Ask the Sign, and we never ask customers for a phone number. A number can be verified for one place at a time.

How people opt in

The business owner enters the staff member's number and confirms the person has agreed to receive these texts.
We send: "Ask the Sign verification code: 123456. It expires in 10 minutes. Reply STOP to opt out."
Entering the code in the console verifies the number and opts it in to the notifications below. The code expires after 10 minutes, allows up to 5 attempts, and a new code can be requested after 60 seconds.

Consent to receive texts is not a condition of buying anything. Only numbers in the US, Canada and the UK are accepted by default.

Message types

Verification code (one per request; limited per place per day).
Customer question notification. When a customer asks their assistant to contact staff, verified staff of that place get a text with the place's name, the question, a short reply code and a link to answer on the web. Example: Ask the Sign (Hank's Hardware): a customer asks "Do you have 3/8 inch PEX crimp rings?" Reply "A7 your answer" (keep the code A7), or open https://tap.askthesign.com/staff/…
Reminder. If a question is still unanswered after about 5 minutes, one reminder goes to the phones that received the original. Example: Ask the Sign reminder: a customer is still waiting for "…". Reply "A7 your answer".
Reply confirmations and help. When staff answer by text, we may reply once to confirm, or, if the reply code is missing or wrong, to explain how to answer.

We send no promotional, marketing or advertising messages.

Frequency

Message volume depends on how many customers ask staff a question. We cap notifications at 50 per place per day and verification texts at 10 per place per day by default, plus an overall daily limit. Most places will receive far fewer.

Opt out: STOP

Reply STOP (or STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END or QUIT) to any Ask the Sign text to stop receiving messages. Carrier-level opt-out is handled by our messaging provider, Twilio, and we will not be able to text that number again unless you send START. The business owner can also remove a number in the Ask the Sign console, or email support@askthesign.com and we will remove it.

Help: HELP

Reply HELP for help, or contact support@askthesign.com. Answering a question by text needs the reply code from our message, for example A7 Aisle 9, top shelf.

Costs

We don't charge for these texts. Message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages, and delivery isn't guaranteed.

Your information

We do not share mobile numbers or opt-in data with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes, and we don't sell them. Numbers are shared only with our messaging provider (Twilio) to deliver the messages and with the business that added them. Details, including how long we keep message records, are in the Privacy Policy.

Contact

Unit Sphere Labs LLC, Washington, USA. support@askthesign.com