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Thread ID: 91561 2008-07-11 00:38:00 SkypeOut/SkypeIn Experiences somebody (208) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
687740 2008-07-11 00:38:00 Skype provides SkypeOut (call landlines/mobiles from your PC), and SkypeIn (you are given a local phone number which people can call you on).

Has anyone had any experience with using these services to:
1) Call a NZ landline or mobile
2) Call a NZ 0800 or 0585 number
3) Receive an incoming call (via SkypeIn)
4) Forwarding an incoming call to a mobile number

If so, how did you find it?
Is latency an issue?
Are you able to call 0800/0508 numbers as though you are calling from a landline (i.e. getting through to places which block calls from mobiles)?
How does it compare to services like 2Talk, iTalk, and VFX?

I very rarely make phone calls, so I figure that this may be a cheap way to avoid having a landline, and also avoid paying extortionist rates to my cellphone provider.
somebody (208)
687741 2008-07-11 01:06:00 I very rarely make phone calls, so I figure that this may be a cheap way to avoid having a landline, and also avoid paying extortionist rates to my cellphone provider.

Won't you still have to pay for naked DSL ??

I have only used Skype out to overseas numbers. No problems. Last time I tried to call a NZ number PSTN or cell fone there was a lot of latencey. Guess the terminating switch is far off shore..
paulw (1826)
687742 2008-07-11 01:38:00 Won't you still have to pay for naked DSL ??

I have only used Skype out to overseas numbers . No problems . Last time I tried to call a NZ number PSTN or cell fone there was a lot of latencey . Guess the terminating switch is far off shore . .

Thanks Paul . I'm on TelstraClear Cable .
somebody (208)
687743 2008-07-11 03:53:00 Sky was recommended to me, downloaded and still have it, Dick Smith was selling the installation disc and some earphones and also some credit to make a phone-call, installed it and called my parents in the netherlands...no delay, good quality! mark1978 (13845)
687744 2008-07-11 03:56:00 Sky was recommended to me, downloaded and still have it, Dick Smith was selling the installation disc and some earphones and also some credit to make a phone-call, installed it and called my parents in the netherlands...no delay, good quality!

Thanks Mark. Have you tried calling NZ landlines or cellphones before?
somebody (208)
687745 2008-07-11 03:58:00 No land-lines or cellphones here, I would presume it is just as good as calling international. Dont use anything else now...only skype mark1978 (13845)
687746 2008-07-14 05:45:00 I decided to give it a go, by buying a "Skype Starter Kit" from DSE, which is supposed to include a voucher for 30-minutes of talk time.

However, my experiences with it have been terrible. The voucher, which has an expiry date of 31 December 2008, is "expired", according to Skype. On further research, it seems like this is a very common problem, with numerous forum posts on Skype's website about it. To me, it seems a bit suspicious - maybe they're trying to scam users by selling these "starter kits" with vouchers that don't work, and count on people not being bothered to argue about it. I've filed support requests with both DSE and Skype (though it doesn't have anything to do with DSE), and will see what happens. All in all, I'm very disappointed - and I haven't even had the chance to test out the service yet.
somebody (208)
687747 2008-07-14 08:32:00 Somebody, the issue does have something to do with DSE as they sold it to you and it didn't do what it said it would do (obviously wasn't an 'Elba'). You can get a voucher that works or your money back under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 from DSE, and they cannot fob you off to Skype for redress. Jester (13)
687748 2008-07-14 08:52:00 Somebody, the issue does have something to do with DSE as they sold it to you and it didn't do what it said it would do (obviously wasn't an 'Elba'). You can get a voucher that works or your money back under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 from DSE, and they cannot fob you off to Skype for redress.

Yes, you're right, and DSE's customer support team have told me to take it back to them. I voluntarily went directly to Skype, before contacting DSE. I will do this if Skype doesn't do anything about it.

Skype should sort this out, as it seems to be a more widespread issue than just the "occasional" voucher code not working. One of the reasons for making this forum post is to ensure they get some publicity, as I've read about issues in the UK and other countries where shops are putting up signs saying that the voucher code will appear expired even though it shouldn't be.
somebody (208)
687749 2008-07-16 09:28:00 Update: Skype have now replaced my voucher with a working one. somebody (208)
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