Hello all, is anyone using Skype on thier auctions for chatting with bidders? I Revised my listing and said to add the Skype buttons but I do not see them on my auctions. I did sign up with Skype for an account.



Thanks,

Steve

Steve,

I don't use Skype.... I'll check and see what I can find out. Perhaps some of the other AW2K users are using Skype and can provide insight.



Judy/blue

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Steve:

Well I tried SKYPE. When eBay first bought them out I though about it and said "why not". I have one of those internet and POTS phones. So I hooked it up through my router. All worked great for 3 or 4 days. Then it started. That phone would ring all night long. I mean middle of the NIGHT - as in sleepy time night. People were calling to find out what postage was on a particular item. Or they would call and ask if the set of stamps had all 7 stamps like in the photo. No one called and asked what time the Noon train left - they might as well have. During the day the phone would ring with the same darn questions. It turned out to be a time thief. Needless to say - I'm now Skype-less. And ummm no - after the first middle of the night call I didn't keep the ringer on at night but let it go to voice mail. They still asked the silly questions and gave me their regular and skype number to call them back with an answer.

I'm sure other people have had better luck with it. I now have have a phone number listed on eBay and if they wish to pay for a call they can use that number. I'm not sure it is the best customer relations that way but for now that's what I'm doing. I used to have a 800 number for my software business and that was used sanely. I don't know if it would make sense to do that or not for eBay. The price isn't all that bad. In the long run the 800 number was worth it for the Software. It might be worth it for eBay.

I'm not trying to talk you out of SKYPE as you may have an entirely different experience. It isn't that expensive to give it a try. You may find your customers will use it sensibly. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Garry

I just added skype, but I want to know if it is available to put in the listing via AW2000? I had to do my listing, then go into Ebay and revise each listing... there must be a better way?

Hi,

Why don't you put the links into the "Footer" area of your Listing template? The link is just a hyperlink isn't it?? I haven't used Skype before but it seems like they just provide a hyperlink don't they..



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

I am not sure... all new to me..lol On EBay, there are buttons for skype, after you have added it via a revise, but I do not really want to have to do that for every auction I list.... there must be a beter way to do this...

Any thoughts???

Mark

Mark,

Well I just ran over to eBay, went through the SYI form to see what was provided... There is just a button.

let me work on it for a bit and I will get back to you.. I did just download the software application onto my computer to look it over... But I don't have a headset or microphone. I'll have to look around. seems to me I had one around here somewhere

I will see what I can do..



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

Mark,

Just making sure --- you have added Skype in your My eBay Preferences.. Created the Skype account and linked that account to eBay?



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

Mark,

Have you tried the Bulk Editor yet?? Skype is included as a Bulk editing option. So for the time being, you can check an entire page of Auctions, select "Edit" on the bottom of the page,

The option to Edit in bulk is on the next page. Select "Edit in Bulk.

The next page which opens allows you to select what you want to edit.

The Skype option is about half way down.



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

Gary,

I am a Skype user since almost from it's beginning. Love the program and use it all the time for everything, even when mobile. I have several numbers around the country so friends can call me with a local call and not use their cell minutes.

BUT, your experiences are exactly why I NEVER added my Skype account to my eBay listings. I find people are pretty selfish and, well, rude about what they feel should be provided in terms of phone contact. Here we are small private sellers on eBay...and these dolts think we have telephone support 24/7 based on their local time.

I bet even if you put specific call times they are gonna call when they want. I mean we can't even get them to read descriptions...so I doubt calling hours are going to matter much. I imagine most of the time these calls are actually from people who hate eBay or just want to screw with a seller for giggles.

So, I'll stick to email contact. And now I take advantage of eBay's addition of the ability to create predefined FAQ's and custom "Ask Seller a Question" email topics. I have found much better results taking this route then anyone I know who uses Skype.

The only way I could see Skype working for eBay is to have a separate account just for eBay listings. But since only on account at a time can be active on your computer it means a dedicated system for just those calls. Too much overhead...and headache...

BTW, thanks for the chuckles over some idiot calling about a widget at 0'Darkhundred wondering if you combine shipping. Only to have the listing mention that everywhere in the listing...nope no way I am letting people contact me that way for our eBay stuff...and your experience confirms it for me w/o a doubt. ;)