C9 can now receive replies to SMS messages sent from c9.  Those replies will appear in c9 itself.

Enabling this feature

This feature is enabled by default to replies to Miner generated SMS messages. For other messages, such as parts, workshop etc, it does require changing some configuration in c9.

C9 allows you to configure who the SMS is coming from.  This must be disabled. i.e. in c9, in Setup -> Other Settings -> Magician/SMS/Email. Under Email/SMS settings. You will see this:

Corresponding to a message like this:

The problem is that 'boltons' is not a real SMS sender number and cannot be replied to.

By making 'From SMS' blank changes c9 so it sends it from a real 04 number.  This can be replied to.

Using the feature

In c9 in top right you'll see notification of SMS:

Goto Customers at top, then Customers -> SMS replies on left menu to view messages. When you view message it is flagged as unread and c9 will stop nagging you.

Shared SMS Reply Numbers

There are no costs associated with the SMS reply feature, customers can reply as much as they like without any impact to you.

The number c9 uses when you leave the 'From SMS' blank is a single number for all c9 dealerships. If a given customer deals with multiple dealerships then they will see multiple messages from different dealerships interleaved from this one phone number. C9 assumes replies are replying to dealership who last sent a message.

Generally this shouldn't be an issue, but you can get your own dedicated number if you like. Cost is between $25 and $300(!!) per month depending on whether you want a normal number or something easy to remember like 0408 888 888, plus once off $100 setup fee from c9.  You could possibly get creative and setup say 0408bolton (0408265866)

Again there is no charge for using default c9 'From SMS' number.