Skype - Viable business phone solution? Handset Recommendations

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pfgannon

pfgannon

Sic semper tyrannis
Jun 25, 2006
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As I start picking up work from brick and mortars in my area, I'd like to have a phone # so clients can reach me. Has anyone had experience with using Skype instead of getting a dedicated phone line?

Also any quality low priced Skype handsets? The one on their site looks pretty shitty, and I'd like a cradle, which it doesn't have.

Thanks in advance
 


DO NOT DO IT

Last year I signed up for a full skype phone package, phone number unlimited calls, the works it cost like $70. My phone number worked for about 3 days and then skype resold my number so some other guy. All of my calls started to go to some guys voice mail.

I tried their email support (only support they have) and when you submit a ticket it says it will take weeks to get back to you. They have no support on their forums and no phone number to get in contact with them. After 6 emails and 2 posts on their message board and a YEAR later I still have no received a refund or my phone number back. The guy on the message board actually told me to watch my language with support emails and basically said they wont help me because I cursed at them after the 5th email.

Ive tried to take the matter to the better business bureau but they are not a member. I would never pay skype for any service they have. Expect no support for their product or services and to be told to fuck off.
 
If you can find someone to give you (or sell you) a Grand Central account, just do that, it's free. Use it and Gizmo5 and you have free incoming/outgoing calls forever.

I use that combo daily and have never had any quality problems. Not to mention the fact that I haven't paid for a phone call or line in over two years.
 
it is horribly unreliable, I have a belkin skype phone and it craps out constantly. I only continue to use it so that I can maintain a US phone number
 
I use it as my primary business phone and have never had an issue. I use a Samsung WEP301 Bluetooth headset (~$20) paired with the internal Bluetooth on my laptop.

Asterisk is a bit overkill for what the OP wants.
 
audax said:
I use it as my primary business phone and have never had an issue. I use a Samsung WEP301 Bluetooth headset (~$20) paired with the internal Bluetooth on my laptop.

Asterisk is a bit overkill for what the OP wants.
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Asterisk is a bit overkill for what I want. But I'm so intrigued by the whole concept, and I've been looking for an excuse to mess with Linux, so I may check it out anyway.

Good to know that Skype isn't all that bad. Though I'm still a bit skeptical.
 
In the UK you can get a free 0870 number that redirects to your landline, try something like that.
 
pfgannon said:
Asterisk is a bit overkill for what I want. But I'm so intrigued by the whole concept, and I've been looking for an excuse to mess with Linux, so I may check it out anyway.
Click to expand...

It is an awesome piece of software. I've done a fair bit of development against it in the past to setup call centers with web interfaces for auto dialers and tracking prospects. The rules setup can be cumbersome and back then the hardware could be finicky but once you get it running, it's very stable.
 
MaxEmail

$24 / qtr for a phone number in any area code. It also delivers fax + voice mail to your inbox.

I've been using it for years so I can have a local number outside my current area code for the existing clients I had before I moved.
 
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