To Skype or not to Skype?

If you haven't heard about Skype by now, then you must have been living under a rock :-)
Skype is a major internet communication company, that offers VOIP (voice over internet protocol) phone services, along with all of the other standard internet communication products you would expect, like video conferencing, etc. Or in their own words "Skype is a little piece of software that allows you to make calls from your computer."

You can find out more about them here, http://www.skype.com

Skype is completely free if you are talking, typing or video calling between two Skype members.

For calls and SMS to landlines or mobile phones,they offer extremely cheap rates and by making the most of their VIOP service you can cut down your phone bill.

They also offer some really cool features for business, including local numbers in different capital cities, which call through to your own VOIP phone or your computer. You can literally have a phone presence all around Australia or even the world, without leaving your own house or store. There are also nifty features like, voice mail and call forwarding,really everything you would want from your home phone.

If you didn't already know, ebay bought Skype out in early 2005 and have since integrated Skype into the USA ebay auction listings.

The info structure is now in place for Skype to be introduced into eBay Australia listings - it is only a matter of time, could be a few days or a few weeks,but it will be soon.
SO thus we lead into the topic at hand - to Skype or not to Skype?

Do you want Skype in your listings?

Let's look at the pros and cons;

Pro - you can give your customers, last minute answers on items ending with minutes to go, where as they wouldn't bother to send an email.

Con - will "Pablo from South America", be tying up your time with questions about your marital status or level of attractiveness? The last thing you want when you are busy and trying to run a business is time wasting internet leeches taking up your time and most probably making your stomach churn.This type of ploy, could also suit scammers, bogging down your line, with requests for you to end your item and send it to their Priest in Nigeria - they will pay you via Western Union double what it is worth though...or so they say.

Pro - You can apply your advanced sales closing skills to win you extra business, once you get a customer talking.

Con - you wanted an online business so you didn't have to talk to customers.

Pro - Your buyers will know that there is a real person attached to the other end of the transaction - it is hard to build trust on the internet, but being able to speak or chat to someone on the other end, would definitely help that.

Con - again, you wanted an online business so you didn't have to talk to customers.

Pro - If you had your web cam attached you could show your buyers the item,should they have a great desire to really see something.

Con - Could lead to buyers getting unrealistic expectations of sellers and the hours they think sellers should keep.


So, there is alot to consider when thinking of using Skype in eBay listings.

Me personally, I will be giving it a try for a set period of time and closely monitoring the results. Only if I can see a marked increase in sales and sale prices, with no real strain on my time, would I consider keeping it.