'Skype Calling' has been discontinued

Live-and-learn

Hi all,

I know that this thread is slightly off-topic, but there is no better forum to write it to. so I hope you will permit it.

For those of you that are unaware, for years now, Skype has had a facility that lets you call phone numbers from the Skype apps or web page.  To do this, you create/maintain a "Skype Credit".  Personally, I've been using this service for 20 years or so now.  It comes in particularly useful for me when I need to call the States, as the per-minute rate is tiny.

Anyway, when you don't use the service for 180 days Skype de-activates the credit but there has always been a process to re-activate it (i.e. get it back so that it shows as a balance on your account).

On 22nd November, I got an email from Skype telling me that my Skype Credit would be de-activated in 7 days.  I have had many such emails through the years.  I didn't re-activate it before the deadline, but that has never mattered in the past.  However, when I came to re-activate it today, there is a banner at the top of the Skype Credit page stating that the service has been discontinued.  The balance shows as zero and there appears to be no way to get your balance back.  It feels like they have stolen this from me!

I would assume that I must be one of thousands worldwide that this has happened to.

I just think the process is all wrong here.  Why remind me to re-activate the credit in November when the company must have know months in advance that it was going to shut down the service?  Why is there no facility to be refunded the money that they are holding on behalf of users?  It feels like a monumantal communications failure at best (and fraud at worst).

I have sent feedback using their feedback screen but whether that will be seen, I don't know.

Anyone else had this problem?

iniltous

Although this may fall into the ‘it’s the principle not the ££ ‘ category, how much has been lost by you ?

DullGreyGuy

Skype have discontinued the PAYG option and replaced it with a subscription model. According to press articles those with Credit can continue to use it until it's used up but won't be able to add any further credit. Normal rules of credit needs to be used at least once every six months to remain valid.

Their T&Cs still mention using https://secure.skype.com/portal/settings/credit/reactivate to reinstate credit if you have failed to use any in the last 180 days. 

Live-and-learn

iniltous said:

Although this may fall into the ‘it’s the principle not the ££ ‘ category, how much has been lost by you ?

You are correct.  The money is nothing (USD11.50 ).  It was when I considered that this may have happened to many people that I thought I would mention it.

Live-and-learn

DullGreyGuy said:

Skype have discontinued the PAYG option and replaced it with a subscription model. According to press articles those with Credit can continue to use it until it's used up but won't be able to add any further credit. Normal rules of credit needs to be used at least once every six months to remain valid.

Their T&Cs still mention using https://secure.skype.com/portal/settings/credit/reactivate to reinstate credit if you have failed to use any in the last 180 days. 

Thank you.  The link that I can across to achieve the same thing did not work when I tried it.  The one you have given did and they are apparently re-activating it.  Think I spoke too soon .

Cheers!

p.s. I will try not to spend the whole $11.54 at once .

jbrassy

For what it's worth, it may be worth ditching Skype altogether and using Rebtel. They do not charge for calls to the US and their rates are pretty cheap for other countries. Been using it for a few years and the app is pretty good: https://www.rebtel.com/en/#{"country":"US","currency":"GBP"}

Live-and-learn

jbrassy said:

For what it's worth, it may be worth ditching Skype altogether and using Rebtel. They do not charge for calls to the US and their rates are pretty cheap for other countries. Been using it for a few years and the app is pretty good: https://www.rebtel.com/en/#{"country":"US","currency":"GBP"}

Thanks for that tip.  You just reminded that I used to use Rebtel all the time probably 10 years ago.  I will check them out again.

Cheers!

*j*

It seems that Rebtel is only available for mobiles.   Is there a version suitable for a laptop?   

Over the years I've found Skype to be ideal for occasional use to call just about anywhere from anywhere and have about £4 credit left, which will do me for a while.

southone

DullGreyGuy said:

Skype have discontinued the PAYG option and replaced it with a subscription model. According to press articles those with Credit can continue to use it until it's used up but won't be able to add any further credit. Normal rules of credit needs to be used at least once every six months to remain valid.

Their T&Cs still mention using https://secure.skype.com/portal/settings/credit/reactivate to reinstate credit if you have failed to use any in the last 180 days. 

I tried that link I did give me £0, I then went back to the March e-mail which told me that they had suspended my credit of just over 4 UK pounds I clicked on the link within that e-mail it showed my outstanding balance and it  I submitted it to my account

textbook

If I sign up to the Skype subscription, is it easy to cancel?   I couldn't work out how to do it


I signed up to Skype subscription.  Really need to make international calls.  Can I block it with bank if can't do it manually?

DullGreyGuy

textbook said:

I signed up to Skype subscription.  Really need to make international calls.  Can I block it with bank if can't do it manually?

Have you compared the pricing with other VOIP providers? We use a VOIP provider and whilst we pay a subscription for a couple of extra features it's a basic PAYG if you want it to be. 

If you can block it with the bank depends on how you are paying it... I'd guess its a CPA on a card in which case the answer is technically yes however non-payment is not the same as cancelling a service and many have had debt collectors or even CCJs for mistakingly thinking the two are the same.