Skype and vendors.

[Bradley]

I simply do not understand marine vendors. They market and sell products for world wide use. But they have no economical method to contact them if you are not in their country. For almost all cruisers Skype is the main and preferred method of communicating. At times it can be the only method.

So then why do vendors not have Skype accounts? I find it almost sublime.

[denverd0n]

I'm pushing 60, but I think I'm more technologically advanced than most vendors out there now. It is amazing how many seem to be stuck in the last century.

Same goes for brokers. Every time a discussion comes up about problems dealing with brokers, we hear about how you have to telephone them, because they don't believe that "serious" buyers use e-mail or Skype. What nonsense! In this day and age, the most serious buyers are going to want to use the most modern (and convenient) telecommunications methods.

I wouldn't call it sublime, though. I just find it annoying.

Soon enough, though, there will be vendors who start to "get it." Then the ones who are stuck in the last century will lose customers by the droves, and then maybe they will wake up. Or go out of business. Whichever.

[boatman61]

Vendors live under the illusion that they (and only they) have something YOU want... so its up to you to make the running...
One day... when pigs fly... customers might get to realise THEY have something a vendor really wants more than anything they have for sale... CASH... $$$$'s.... ££££'s...
Shifting the balance back to an equalibrium is down to you...
I usually just give the finger as I walk outa the door....

[cwyckham]

You can use skype to call any phone (it's called skype-out). It's very cheap. It's also useful for calling toll free numbers from a country outside of the country (for example, calling a US 1-800 number from New Zealand), since companies often only list an 800 number which is only good within their borders.

[CRM]

We have used both SkypeOut and SkypeIn for several years from nearly every continent (haven't been to Antarctica yet), with very good success. OK, so it's not free, but the cost is nominal, and it gives us full access to elderly parents, businesses, government offices and others that do not leave their computers running all the time with Skype loaded.

A good headset makes a lot of difference to call quality.

If you do leave your computer running all the time, you can also connect a special Skype-compatible phone that will ring like a landline whenever someone is trying to reach you, or, since it's cordless, you can wander around while talking.

[downunder]

Larger vendors are using techniques to avoid answering phones if they can.

In Australia try to speak to an airlines, banks, telcos or power company so they would not be interested in Skype.

If you do get to them through the automated system often you a speaking to someone in India, Phillipines or another state.

Good luck.

[Bradley]

Skype out is great if good Internet. Works poorly with bad Internet. Lots of dropped calls, poor voice, etc. I am in the Windwards. SIM card for phone has best coverage, but Skype out is bad.

[Kettlewell]

I find that a lot of smaller vendors are perfectly happy to communicate via email--maybe even happiest. And, it is surprising what you can purchase from small, specialist outfits. Virtually every vendor has some sort of online ordering system. I find it a pretty rare situation that requires contact beyond those two methods.

[hellosailor]

Bradley, if you have Skype then you have a way to call their TELEPHONE.

Skype is only one of several similar services, and to expect a vendor to install and monitor all of them is ridiculous. They have a phone, and what, you're too lazy to call it? Skype requires them to have an operator sitting in front of a computer terminal all day, do you really want to pay for that?

All a telephone requires is...a telephone, and it is easy to run extensions and cordless phones and have people able to answer them with very little cost or delay. Skype? Get real.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Bradley

Skype out is great if good Internet. Works poorly with bad Internet. Lots of dropped calls, poor voice, etc. I am in the Windwards. SIM card for phone has best coverage, but Skype out is bad.

Is Skype-out worse than Skype with bad internet? I would have thought it would be the same

[bobofthenorth]

For some reason yes, Skype to phone is worse than Skype to Skype. We can do Skype to Skype with some success on a Hughes satellite link. Skype to phone - fahggeddaboudit.

[barnakiel]

Skype onboard but no email?

b.

[bobconnie]

I sure don't have Skype! I think i read about it but don't need it ! Ive gotten parts all over the Pacific and most of the other cruiseing grounds with out even a phone! Ive ordered stuff with a SSB many times ! we have cell phones but put em on air plane mode when we are on the boat !! sorta old and set in our ways I guess, but sorta like it that way !!! If I can't get parts that way I will sail till I find a Phone !! simple !! no internet required! LOL

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by bobofthenorth

For some reason yes, Skype to phone is worse than Skype to Skype. We can do Skype to Skype with some success on a Hughes satellite link. Skype to phone - fahggeddaboudit.

Not sure how it applies, but for what it is worth I. Am using a BATELCO SIM card to Skype from my ipad. I find just the opposite to be true, the skppe to phone is working better then Skype to Skype for me... No idea why!

[Pelagic]

I agree with Hellosailor…. Skype is labor intensive if you are in the retail business,

Personally I prefer short emails, with written details and requested confirmations. As your order develops, often their technical support is copied and the order is processed with the key individuals all in the loop.

Less prone to misunderstanding.

Having said that, I really enjoyed Skyping Rich when deciding on a DC high output R/O. He gives great personal service as a fellow cruiser.