Am I the only one confused by Skype? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

I downloaded the Skype software. When I went to look at Skype Pro, it says the price includes skype credits. What are the credits used for? And how much are the credits after you use what is included? Where do I go to get a number for people to call me? I'm so lost!

#2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

Hi Tami

You buy Skype Credit in amounts of 10 and 25 US dollars and then spend them how you like on Skype services and content. When you buy Skype Credit, SkypeOut will be activated immediately and you can start calling out to landlines and mobiles. What’s new is that you can now also spend your credit balance on other Skype services, like SkypeIn, Skype Voicemail and Personalise Skype sound & pictures. If you have a 1-800 number you can use that number with skype.

If you need any more information the Skype Help is very helpful.

#3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

Your not the only one confused. I haven't quite got it all figured out yet, but from what I do understand you can call any other Skype member for free, but you have to pay to call landline and mobile phones. You pay by buying credits to be used.

#4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

One of these days I am going to look into Skype

#5 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

Well, I've been browsing around on their site a little more (in between working). If I get Skype Pro, I don't have to pay to make a call to another skype number or a landline within the U.S.? Or am I confused about that as well? I can get a local number with them (woo hoo! I couldn't with RingCentral), but I can't really determine how much it is? It's cheaper to purchase it if I already have Skype Pro? And I can use a 800 number that I already have with Skype too? How?

Thanks so much for all the help! I'll get this figured out one of these days!

#6 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008

Tami,
You can get up to 10 phone numbers for each Skype account, in any area code you like (and in some cases abroad) which is nice b/c if you are on the west coast and have clients on the east they can call you for free.
I'm not sure about the 1-800 set up on Skype but am assuming that you can have your 1-800 number forwarded to ring to your Skype number (once you've paid for it that is) (you can also program your Skype numbers to forward to say your home line or cell.)

When you sign up for SkypeIn you pay for a phone number on Skype and it comes with free voicemail. You then use that number to allow clients or whoever to call you just like they would on a regular phone. I'd just pick up and dial the number, your Skype would ring.

You can call ANY other Skype members for free on Skype at any time with or without a SkypeIn number, and with or without SkypeOut credits.

SkypeOut credits are purchased 'minutes' that you can use to call OUT to any number on the planet (we use Skype to call family and friends the world over and it's CHEAP!) The money you pay into SkypeOut ticks down in your account as you use it for calls, costing more for long distance - the same as a regular phone but much cheaper.

I do not have Skype Pro and don't know what the difference is but we've been just fine with our regular Skype account. If Skype Pro gives you unlimited US calling and you do alot of long distance inside the States then it's probably a great deal.

Why not download and install the Skype interface and check out, you'll learn alot about how it works just by clicking on the tabs to see the options in the program itself.

Hope that helps!

#7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008

You can download and use for free to other Skypers. Get a friend to do the same and try it out! We do video conferencing with friends in New Zealand and it's fun. My husband keeps asking me why we have a land line!!!!!

#8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008

I was given 10 free minutes to try out the quality. So as soon as I get the chance, I'm going to call someone to see how it goes. As far as I can tell, Skype Pro is $3 a month. Then, I get a big discount on the SkypeIn number, so it would be about $3 per month. I'm seriously thinking about canceling our unlimited long distance, which is so expensive. The Skype really looks like it will be more cost efficient.

#9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008

It really is - we call all over the world, often for as litle as 2 cents per minute!

#10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008

I've been using Skype for over a year now. My mom and I use it to talk once a week (she lives in Florida, I live in Massachusetts). She bought me a web cam so she can see my kids and how they have changed. I love Skype. I only use the free service and call other people who are on Skype.

Julie

#11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

I just wanted to ad that I downloaded Skype yesterday and purchased a fairly inexpensive headset (around $20) and could no be happier with the sound quality thus far.

In fact, no-one has even detected that I am not on a landline. I am going to continue my 'test' for the rest of this month, but if all goes well I may well get rid of our business line entirely and replace it with Skype.

#12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

I just wanted to ad that I downloaded Skype yesterday and purchased a fairly inexpensive headset (around $20) and could no be happier with the sound quality thus far.

In fact, no-one has even detected that I am not on a landline. I am going to continue my 'test' for the rest of this month, but if all goes well I may well get rid of our business line entirely and replace it with Skype.

#13 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

I understand your confusion Tami. I had the same experience when I first signed up with them but I eventually got it all sorted.