BT Tradespace is a waste of space

Warning: Excessive sarcasm and cynicism is contained throughout this blog. We advise that you take whatever precautions you feel appropriate. E.G. Close your eyes and read

Well after last weeks full on excitement with stinking resin and potato's this week has been a bit of an anti climax. In fact it has been quite frustrating and consisted, as well as the normal everyday stuff, to doing battle with one of our countries biggest telecommunications companies. BT. (British Telecom for those who may be reading this outside of Blighty)

I don't know how many of you are aware that they offer a free service where businesses can upload their profile, products and blogs etc. to promote your business. Just like facebook but for business. Brilliant idea. If only it actually worked! I have been having problems with it from the start and am beginning to wonder why I even started the process. Oh yes, I run a business and any opportunity to increase sales and with the trusted and established name of BT behind it, I should be on to a winner.

Question: How many times do I use the word business or businesses in that last paragraph? Prize is a Free BT Tradespace Account (Please apply cynicism and sarcasm and close your eyes when reading that last statement. Thank you.)

I first uploaded my information about a month and a half ago. To start with once I had put all my relevant data in, uploaded products and written several blog posts although small, I was still not getting listed in the most basic searches even though I had selected relevant keywords. Then to top it all off the site was 'up-graded and re-designed' and now all the information is gone, vanished, it is no longer there. To quote the immortal Monty Python 'This Parrot is dead, it is no more.' I am really annoyed and angry that this happened and wrote some pretty disgruntled posts on the BT Tradespace support pages. It seemed that many others were also experiencing the same problems.

I have actually made a really interesting and helpful contact through all of this and we are now following one another on twitter. So despite the gnashing of teeth and swearing I have actually made a new friend. Hi Paul at 22i Design if your reading this! There's nothing like a bit of conflict against a common enemy to bring people closer together. It's good to talk. I think BT used that one once in an advert. (Once again we ask that you please apply cynicism and sarcasm and close your eyes when reading that last statement. Thank you.)

I have been phoned by the BT web team but missed their call so returned it only to be told there was no one available to help me. So I arranged for someone to call back. They have not, as yet. Perhaps the phones they use are linked to the tradespace website in some way and are not working either. Or they are being trained to make the call as we speak. (Apply as above) I'll keep you posted as to how this all turns out.

On a lighter un-related topic of interest my new fire grate should be arriving soon and so I will be able to relax in front of an open fire and forget about all this. I think I'll use some old BT bills for kindling.....they should burn up a treat!