Andy Abramson points out a little detail in the SkypeOut user policy that is sure to inflame many SkypeOut users: SkypeOut credits expire if they aren't used for a period of 180 days.
I purchased 10 euros worth of credits for use the last time I was in Europe. While over there last fall I used at most 1.75 euros. I'd always assumed I could use the rest during my next trip later this year, but now thanks to Andy I see that my unused credits were 90 days or so away from expiring. My only saving grace being an accidental SkypeOut call I made when clicking on the wrong user about 3 months ago, had I not done that, my credits would have expired already.
Skype is going to generate a lot of badwill over this policy. It ought to be changed, if one purchases credits they ought to be available for a lot longer than 180 days, and should never expire as long as the Skype accunt is actively used.
Actually, the policy states "A credit balance for SkypeOut service expires 180 days after last usage of SkypeOut service." so everytime you place a call you reset the counter to 180 days. I don't think it's too much to ask to place 1 call in 6 months to keep your credits.
Posted by: Paul Shaw | Apr 21, 2005 at 03:02
Hi Paul, that's basically what I said, credits expire if they aren't used for 180 days. Again, I think this is bad policy. If I buy the credits they shouldn't expire as long as I'm an active user of the service (even if I go a long time between SkypeOut calls). If I've paid for something, why should I lose it?
Furthermore, Skype doesn't send any notifications that credits are about to expire. This is incredibly bad business practice IMHO.
Posted by: Irwin Lazar | Apr 21, 2005 at 09:06