The short version... Don't bother ! There are cheaper... much cheaper
options that are very straightforward to set up and use !!!
Now for the longer version...
Not having seriously checked on what voip had to offer, prices and how
it worked in practice, I thought I'd buy a headset from Tesco to give
that a try. Getting it set-up and using it was straightforward so,
having nearly used all the initial credit, I decided to top up online.
Having entered all my details, their web site failed to respond and
checking later showed that my credit had not been updated. Sent a mail
highlighting the problem (unanswered after 6 days) but discovered today
that they had debited £10 from my account four days after this with the
credit still not showing on my account !
Called the helpline this afternoon seeking a refund... Sorry, our
computers are down, I can't access your account, call back at around 17.00.
Did that and after 15 minutes explaining the facts... Sorry, I haven't
got the authority to give you a refund, I'll get a supervisor to call
you back... Oh no, it's not going to be today !
You can draw your own conclusion, myself, I've discovered and signed up
with voipcheap.com, it's straightforward to set up, it works fine, and I
can call abroad for "free" so I guess that Tesco's failure has had some
benefit !
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 18:33:50 +0100, Bernard <dot@dot.com> wrote:
>The short version... Don't bother ! There are cheaper... much cheaper
>options that are very straightforward to set up and use !!!
If you'd come here first we could have told you that saved you the
bother :-)
>Now for the longer version...
>Not having seriously checked on what voip had to offer, prices and how
>it worked in practice, I thought I'd buy a headset from Tesco to give
>that a try. Getting it set-up and using it was straightforward so,
>having nearly used all the initial credit, I decided to top up online.
>Having entered all my details, their web site failed to respond and
>checking later showed that my credit had not been updated. Sent a mail
>highlighting the problem (unanswered after 6 days) but discovered today
>that they had debited £10 from my account four days after this with the
>credit still not showing on my account !
>Called the helpline this afternoon seeking a refund... Sorry, our
>computers are down, I can't access your account, call back at around 17.00.
>Did that and after 15 minutes explaining the facts... Sorry, I haven't
>got the authority to give you a refund, I'll get a supervisor to call
>you back... Oh no, it's not going to be today !
>
>You can draw your own conclusion, myself, I've discovered and signed up
>with voipcheap.com, it's straightforward to set up, it works fine, and I
>can call abroad for "free" so I guess that Tesco's failure has had some
>benefit !
>
>Bernard
"The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:11ete2pn9nk125dhgvrbcic925d4b6q1gm@4ax.com
> On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham" <me@privacy.com>
> wrote:
>
> > > If you'd come here first we could have told you that
> > > saved you the bother :-)
> >
> > I'll echo that sentiment!
> >
> > It could have been worse though, you could have given
> > your hard-earned to that over-hyped-Skype.
>
> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
It requires a PC to be on.
> It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob
> and the credit stays on your account.
The Invalid wrote:
> On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham" <me@privacy.com> wrote:
>
> >It could have been worse though, you could have given your hard-earned to
> >that over-hyped-Skype.
>
> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
1) As Ivor says, you need to leave your PC on for it to work.
2) The other main problem is that, due to its P2P nature, your PC is
used to relay other peoples calls - not good if your broadband is a
capped/limited traffic deal. If you then go over your limit, you would
then have to pay for other callers use of your broadband. I,
personally, wouldn't be too chuffed about that, if that happened to
me...... Of course, if you're happy about that, fine.
3) I'm sure someone else'll come up with a 3rd or 4th reason.
OK, it's a personal choice, normally I wouldn't use Skype, but the only
reason I might ever use it would be to call a skype user who didn't
have a phone number that I could call them on. In that case, I'd fire
it up for the one call.
The Invalid formulated on Friday :
> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
> It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob and the credit
> stays on your account.
How does that reconcile with the fact that their policy is to steal
ones credit if a chargeable call is not made over a 6 month period?
Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure voip.co.uk's never
expires either.
Jono avait envoye ceci le 25/08/2006 17:59
> The Invalid formulated on Friday :
>> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
>> It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob and the credit
>> stays on your account.
>
> How does that reconcile with the fact that their policy is to steal ones
> credit if a chargeable call is not made over a 6 month period?
>
> Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure voip.co.uk's never expires
> either.
>
>
"Credit in your VoipCheap balance remains valid for calls for 90 days
after your last purchase (unless stated otherwise, see for instance
paybyphone transactions). If you top up your account after or before
credit expires for calls any old credit left in your account will remain
valid as well. If you don?t top up your account, credits can only be
transfered back to you by banktransfer."
For me, the up to 5Hrs worth of free calls I can make per week to a
number of destinations (including foreign) and the rates for uk mobiles
makes up for the 90 days 10 Euros credit. But then again, I'm new to all
this and I can see that there are a few good deals out there !
The Invalid wrote:
> On 25 Aug 2006 04:12:17 -0700, "paul123" <paul@redy.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >The Invalid wrote:
> >> On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham" <me@privacy.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >It could have been worse though, you could have given your hard-earned to
> >> >that over-hyped-Skype.
> >>
> >> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
> >
> >1) As Ivor says, you need to leave your PC on for it to work.
> Not now
"The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:p373f2hf1crav9ntfu75c45rflmfgd8uvm@4ax.com
> On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 11:38:44 +0100, "Ivor Jones"
> <ivor@despammed.invalid> wrote:
>
> > "The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:11ete2pn9nk125dhgvrbcic925d4b6q1gm@4ax.com
> > > On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham"
> > > <me@privacy.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > > If you'd come here first we could have told you
> > > > > that saved you the bother :-)
> > > >
> > > > I'll echo that sentiment!
> > > >
> > > > It could have been worse though, you could have
> > > > given your hard-earned to that over-hyped-Skype.
> > >
> > > Really? what's the problem with Skype?
> >
> > It requires a PC to be on.
> Wrong
Ok, it requires a PC to be on most of the time. I believe you can use it
on a PDA, but you can't use it with a normal ATA plugged into a router. Go
on, tell me I'm wrong on that one. But if you do, tell me why and with a
detailed explanation, don't say "wrong" with nothing else. Otherwise I'm
not likely to believe you.
> > > It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob
> > > and the credit stays on your account.
> >
> > So does my credit on Sipgate.
> And ? and ????????
And my credit doesn't expire on Sipgate. What did you think I meant..?
BTW Skype credit can and has been deleted from an account if it's not been
used in a certain time. I know because it happened to me, and is one of
the reasons (apart from above) why I don't use it any more.
"paul123" <paul@redy.net> wrote in message
news:1156687966.001660.254970@74g2000cwt.googlegro ups.com
> The Invalid wrote:
> > On 25 Aug 2006 04:12:17 -0700, "paul123"
> > <paul@redy.net> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > The Invalid wrote:
> > > > On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham"
> > > > <me@privacy.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > It could have been worse though, you could have
> > > > > given your hard-earned to that over-hyped-Skype.
> > > >
> > > > Really? what's the problem with Skype?
> > >
> > > 1) As Ivor says, you need to leave your PC on for it
> > > to work.
> > Not now
>
> Not now? How do you use Skype without a PC?
It's possible to use it with a PDA (I've seen it done) and I understand
that there are now Wi-Fi phones that are Skype-capable, but for the most
part a PC is required. Certainly it can't be used with a normal ATA
plugged into a router.
Thus spaketh Bernard:
> Jono avait envoye ceci le 25/08/2006 17:59
>> The Invalid formulated on Friday :
>>> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
>>> It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob and the
>>> credit stays on your account.
>>
>> How does that reconcile with the fact that their policy is to steal
>> ones credit if a chargeable call is not made over a 6 month period?
>>
>> Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure voip.co.uk's never
>> expires either.
>>
>>
> "Credit in your VoipCheap balance remains valid for calls for 90 days
> after your last purchase (unless stated otherwise, see for instance
> paybyphone transactions). If you top up your account after or before
> credit expires for calls any old credit left in your account will
> remain valid as well. If you don?t top up your account, credits can
> only be transfered back to you by banktransfer."
>
> For me, the up to 5Hrs worth of free calls I can make per week to a
> number of destinations (including foreign) and the rates for uk
> mobiles makes up for the 90 days 10 Euros credit. But then again, I'm
> new to all this and I can see that there are a few good deals out
> there !
I use VoipStunt, the same ¤10 (Ten Euro) lasts 120 days.
Thus spaketh The Invalid:
> On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 17:59:38 +0100, Jono
> <nothanks@notonyournelly.blueyonder.com.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> The Invalid formulated on Friday :
>>> Really? what's the problem with Skype?
>>> It works fine, much to the annoyance of the techie mob and the
>>> credit stays on your account.
>>
>> How does that reconcile with the fact that their policy is to steal
>> ones credit if a chargeable call is not made over a 6 month period?
> I haven't made a chargeable call in 6 months and my credit is still
> there
>
>>
>> Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure voip.co.uk's never
>> expires either.
>>
> Yep but sipgates crap
>
In what way?
> (now sits back and waits for all the Nerds to pipe up)
>
> Bovered ?? Chav Speak??
"The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:u673f2t6je614vkqav11qpmdcs8r0dsb5h@4ax.com
> On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 17:59:38 +0100, Jono
> <nothanks@notonyournelly.blueyonder.com.co.uk> wrote:
[snip]
> > Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure
> > voip.co.uk's never expires either.
> >
> Yep but sipgates crap
Oooh, an anti-Sipgate rant. We haven't had one of those for a while now,
it must be about time..!
Do tell us why you think they're crap..?
> (now sits back and waits for all the Nerds to pipe up)
>
> Bovered ??
I can't find "bovered" in my dictionary, what does it mean..?
BTW are you related to someone who calls himself Dexter..? We haven't seen
him for a while, are you out there, Ron..?!
It happens that Ivor Jones formulated :
>
> "The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:u673f2t6je614vkqav11qpmdcs8r0dsb5h@4ax.com
>> On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 17:59:38 +0100, Jono
>> <nothanks@notonyournelly.blueyonder.com.co.uk> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>> > Sipgate credit never expires. I'm almost sure
>> > voip.co.uk's never expires either.
>> >
>> Yep but sipgates crap
>
> Oooh, an anti-Sipgate rant. We haven't had one of those for a while now, it
> must be about time..!
>
> Do tell us why you think they're crap..?
>
>> (now sits back and waits for all the Nerds to pipe up)
>>
>> Bovered ??
>
> I can't find "bovered" in my dictionary, what does it mean..?
>
> BTW are you related to someone who calls himself Dexter..? We haven't seen
> him for a while, are you out there, Ron..?!
>
>
> Ivor
For a moment, I thought they might be one & the same, however, they
spell different things badly.
Ivor Jones wrote:
> "paul123" <paul@redy.net> wrote in message
> news:1156687966.001660.254970@74g2000cwt.googlegro ups.com
> > The Invalid wrote:
> > > On 25 Aug 2006 04:12:17 -0700, "paul123"
> > > <paul@redy.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > The Invalid wrote:
> > > > > On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham"
> > > > > <me@privacy.com> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > It could have been worse though, you could have
> > > > > > given your hard-earned to that over-hyped-Skype.
> > > > >
> > > > > Really? what's the problem with Skype?
> > > >
> > > > 1) As Ivor says, you need to leave your PC on for it
> > > > to work.
> > > Not now
> >
> > Not now? How do you use Skype without a PC?
>
> It's possible to use it with a PDA (I've seen it done) and I understand
> that there are now Wi-Fi phones that are Skype-capable, but for the most
> part a PC is required. Certainly it can't be used with a normal ATA
> plugged into a router.
Oh I see. Cheers. Still not going to use it though :)
On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:59:25 +0100, "Ivor Jones"
<ivor@despammed.invalid> wrote:
>"paul123" <paul@redy.net> wrote in message
>news:1156687966.001660.254970@74g2000cwt.googlegr oups.com
>> The Invalid wrote:
>> > On 25 Aug 2006 04:12:17 -0700, "paul123"
>> > <paul@redy.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > >
>> > > The Invalid wrote:
>> > > > On 24 Aug 2006 23:15:30 +0200, "Graham"
>> > > > <me@privacy.com> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > > > It could have been worse though, you could have
>> > > > > given your hard-earned to that over-hyped-Skype.
>> > > >
>> > > > Really? what's the problem with Skype?
>> > >
>> > > 1) As Ivor says, you need to leave your PC on for it
>> > > to work.
>> > Not now
>>
>> Not now? How do you use Skype without a PC?
>
>It's possible to use it with a PDA (I've seen it done) and I understand
>that there are now Wi-Fi phones that are Skype-capable, but for the most
>part a PC is required. Certainly it can't be used with a normal ATA
>plugged into a router.
>
>Ivor
Yes, WiFi phones are apparently available but at what cost!
There are so many disadvantages to Skype. It is OK for people who are
not very techy and want to have free chats to friends who are also on
their computers at the time. Once people start paying for Skype out
and equipment IMO they are just crazy. Skype's sucess is based on
people who don't know any better because they are just not tach savvy.
If they did know better then they wouldn't be buying Skype products.
Check out the price of this Skype WiFi phone http://tinyurl.com/m3ntp
Just short of £160 !
For that you could get a really good SIP ATA, a set of 4 good cordless
phones, subscribe to a VSP for all calls for the year and still have
money in your pocket. Further, save money on the electricity bill
(computer not on all night etc.)
Anyone who buys this has got to be totally raving bonkers.
Newbie experience on Tesco service 
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