posted on January 1, 2006 02:09:20 PM
Hello
I just had a friend advise me to go to Ebay home page, bottom left, and sign up for Skype which if signed up we can call and talk free.
I have signed up but will now run ad-ware, Norton etc and see what they say.
Any comments, on this program which is new to Ebay?
posted on January 1, 2006 03:43:52 PM
It will cut down on the number of stupid ASAQ's that you get via email. Now the dummies that refuse to read the description will be able to bug you direct. Every time you log on, expect someone to be there demanding to know where their package is and why they haven't received it yet.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on January 1, 2006 07:29:49 PM
I have never used it, but from what I have heard from others, it's a great service at a great price if you have friends or family overseas.
But there is no way I would want to use it in conjunction with eBay. I don't even want phone calls from eBay folks! If they want to shop on the Internet, then they should be able to communicate through the Internet.
I used to put our 1-800 number in our eBay listings. Without getting into long stories, I quickly learned what kind of mistake THAT was!
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Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
posted on January 1, 2006 08:04:32 PM
I'm glad someone started a thread about this I would like to read what everyone else thinks about it. I use Yahoo Messenger which I don't like. I now have problems with my Yahoo E-Mail locking up my computer,sometimes the Yahoo Messenger locks it up as well.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on January 1, 2006 10:29:53 PM
My personal opinion is if I want to make a phone call I'll pick up either my house phone or my cell phone that has 1500 minutes per month included. If I made international call's I "MIGHT" think about it, but would still probably just use my phone. I use computers for one thing, computing, not voice conversations.
posted on January 1, 2006 11:02:48 PM
If a person had a special reason for having it, as Mike mentions, It would be worth considering. But if it's ordered through Ebay, I would set up a seperate seller's account that is used only once or twice per year and order it through that account. No way would I use my primary Ebay account to order the service. I would not want any indication on my account that I have the service. Some of these buyers can be a big enough PITA through regular email. I could just imagine what it would be like if they could call me long distance for free. On the upside, it could reduce the amount of spam you receive. The spammers will no longer need your email address. They'll just dial you up with their latest offer on grapefruit flavored Viagra.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on January 2, 2006 09:09:46 AM
eBAY via phone – NO THANK YOU. Customers via phone, our shop's phone number is in all of our ads, and that is all a customer needs, if they are competent enough to read the whole posting.
Wishes for a Blessed 2006!
~"It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think. The only thing which matters is: What is the TRUTH!"~
posted on January 2, 2006 09:18:26 AM
I agree, I don't want phone calls. I have 2 buyers who have called me with looooong phone calls, and have just chatted. I almost had to be rude to one of them after numerous calls.
posted on January 2, 2006 12:00:36 PM
Skye is a good idea if you have legnthy conversations with others that live out of state. It's also a great idea if you travel alot. I would not have it enabled to ebay account but for regular usage - I don't see the problem with it.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on January 6, 2006 10:19:46 AM
I'm using Windows 98 whats weird is if I use Foxfire it acts o.k.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on January 6, 2006 11:03:12 AM
Where did they get that name? Leaves a bad taste, like something that borders on illegal - somewhere in-between scalping tickets and kiting checks..
posted on January 6, 2006 11:34:39 AM
There is no way I want more telephone calls. I already get enough because I have to have a telephone number listed with ebay. It's gotten to the point where I no longer answer my cel phone unless I know who is calling - I will let them leave a message, and I will respond via email. I've gotten involved in stupid phone calls, I think there are a lot of lonely people out there with lots of time, thankfully, I am not one of them. I already have unlimited long distance on my home phone, I don't need ebay for that. I think their purchase of skype was a pretty stupid move. Half.com made sense. Paypal made sense. Skype, no way!
posted on January 6, 2006 11:57:23 AM
I've started putting my business phone number in all my listings.
I had to. With all the suspensions and confusion, bidders needed to feel they could talk to a live person. eBay wasn't giving them the straight poop.
Internet-Phone software has been around for ages. This is scarcely new technology. Skype (horrid name, I agree) hopes to make its money off selling you features that most people already get with their low-cost landline or broadband phone service.
But Skype fits right under the eBay corporate umbrella as far as deceptive marketing goes. When doing comparisons of Skype to VOiP providers, the VOiP they use is AT&T CallVantage, which is the most expensive. I guess they had to, because if they went feature-for-feature against Vonage, they'd lose big time. I pay $14.99 a month for Vonage service and I get a ton of features.
Oh, I just noticed that Skype has one tiny disclaimer about it not being a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for 911 dialing. I'm afraid they're going to find that disclaimer just doesn't cut it. Vonage told their customers that dozens of times and they still got taken to court over it. Surely eBay must have heard of that?
posted on January 6, 2006 12:04:55 PM
Fluffy, didnt Vonage step up their system to fix the 911 issue? Do they charge a 911 tax as well now?
The 911 tax is like 3.00 a month or something. I think its like 24.99 a month and then all the taxes bring it up to 36-37 and change - something like that (cant recall off the top of my head.)
posted on January 6, 2006 04:58:52 PM
We pay 24.99 for unlimited use with Vonage. Had it for almost 2 years. Tons of features and good service. We'll never go back to a landline.
Tony.
In a world without walls or fences who needs Windows and Gates?
posted on January 6, 2006 05:23:06 PM
Did everyone else get their "free" super at no charge to you, one of those must have items, ergonomicaly designed, high tech designed, with the most advanced technology to date, made with superior manufacturing technology, multi colored plug, ear bud/microphone? Includes a extra long cord for your convience( once again at no extra charge)to allow use a considerable distance from your work station. And can you believe it? We have even included a branded Skype shirt clip also. Now you don't have to worry about your mic/ear bud falling off of you. Could this possibly get any better. Well folks, just because we care so much and would like to thank you for making us millinons and millions of dollars over the years we are also including a free installation cd with the skype program. I know, your saying, Wow!!! could this possibly get any better? Well it can because we are also including at no additional fee's (no string's attached[so we say]) free 3 month voicemail and 30 minute skypeout minutes as a additional freebie. Now you can get started and check out all our super features and give us all of your money. But wait, we are not done yet. That's right boys and girls, it get's even better. What about all your friends. You will be the envy of all your neighbors. Well for a limited time we have also included 2, that's right, 2 free starter cards with 3 month's free voice mail for your friends. We hope you enjoy your free gift because it's the last one you will get from us in a while. Since we had to spend all this money for these freebies we will probably be increasing fee's this year but what do you care. You can talk online to all your skype buddies! Don't forget to sign up for our program and become a paying customer. Weve cornered the online auction market. Recently became one of the only online payment services on ebay and with your help we can corner the "free" phone market to. So get out there and help us become the largest monopoly on the net. We can't do it without you and good luck in 2006!!!
Small print at bottom.
Ear bud/microphone combo contains small mind control device that will allow us to control your ebay practices and force you to use overpriced upgrades, agree to our ever changing policy changes and not complain when we ask you for more money. If all goes well you will never leave your house again and depend on ebay soley for everything you need in your life. By using our "free" product and software you agree to the above terms and you accept the terms for the two friends you give your cards to. Remember, you are a machine, you are a machine, you are a machine.
Well my super fantastic little microphone ear bud was generously donated to the local circular file setting besides my desk.
Just another white mouse in the ebay maze looking for some cheese. --- Mike
posted on January 6, 2006 06:22:27 PM
The problem was that true 911 service could only be made possible if the Baby Bells allowed VOiP operators to access the national emergency calling infrastructure.
Lacking that, Vonage had set up call centers. After a couple of nationally-publicized incidents where lives were lost due to a few seconds or few minutes' delay, states began suing Vonage for deceptive advertising, claiming the company wasn't making it clear in their advertising that traditional 911 service is not available.
They sure enough made it clear in all the info I received when I signed up.
I have the 500 minutes a month plan, which is $14.99 plus tax, or $16.94 a month. We have landlines here as well. I don't need VOiP 911.
posted on January 6, 2006 09:54:23 PM
I have for years had a program that makes calls to anyone anywhere via internet on my PC. It is rediculous to buy a phone service for online use. My software came with my PC and is works nicely also sends faxes and is an answering machine also. SO why would anyone want to pay a monthly fee for phone service over the internet? I just don't get it. I have regular mabell and DSL of course with that so would not have internet without phone service in my podunk town. But can call anyone for free with the software I have on my PC and it works great but still like the real phone best.
As far as Skype being or making you available for ebay questions YIKES! Had one lady call me about her win and she started visiting and I could not get her off the phone. She was lonly and an elderly lady I gathered through our conversation and I can just see all the lonly folks calling just to talk to another human creating havoc with our sells and being able to list. NO Thanks on that one.
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Can't touch this! uh huh, uh huh.
posted on January 7, 2006 12:54:07 PM
Irked what is the software? I tried something years ago, thru the pc - but it sounded like kids trying to talk thru paper cups. I'd imagine theyve improved that by now?
Fluffy, I was talking about reg landline telephone and broadband costs above. Its too much for phone service 35 a month w/the taxes, dont you think? I dont even have all the whistles either as I scaled it down to barebone min. But I have been thinking of doing vonnage, only hesitant if bb service is disrupted, I'm without a phone? I like a landline phone for some strange reason thats probably ultimately irrational, but it comforts me knowing I dont have to rely on electrity for phone service.
posted on January 7, 2006 12:54:42 PM
We have some pages of info documenting eBay/PayPal outages and technical problems, and fixes or solutions. Hardly a day goes by when we don't get 3 or 4 emails from eBay/PayPal customers asking why they can't access their account or some other such problem. I shudder to think how many calls we would get if we listed our Skype number.
Even when we listed our business address and phone number we only got the occasional call about items, but I suspect we'd get many times more with Skype (free international calling).
posted on January 8, 2006 10:46:21 AM
"Did everyone else get their "free" super..."
I got mine today. When I felt the package, I was hoping it was a pin or some other kind of Xmas Gift from eBay (it's happened before!). But no, it's just a junky set of earbuds. HARD earbuds at that.
I don't even like talking to AMERICAN eBayers on the phone. I sure don't want a bunch of Belgian cheapskates pestering me to mark things a gifts.
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Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
