Skype Hacks: Tips & Tools for Cheap, Fun, Innovative Phone Service

Hack 4. Try SkypeOut, Risk Free

Experiment with receiving regular phone calls to a SkypeIn dial-in number. Even better, follow the advice in this hack and you can try it for free and without risk.

Works with: all versions of Skype.

There are three easy ways to try SkypeOut. First, you can purchase some SkypeOut credits. Second, you can purchase an item of Skype-compatible hardware bundled with which is a voucher for SkypeOut call minutes. Third, you can use a Skype Gift Certificate that you've been given (visit the web page for Skype Gift Certificates at http://share.skype.com/blog/products_andservices/we_bring_you…_skype_gift_certificates/ for details).

You can buy SkypeOut credits directly from the Skype web site, http://www.Skype.com/, using a variety of payment methods (but see "Avoid Problems Paying for Services" [Hack #15]). With some credits in hand, you can start dialing regular telephone numbers (see "Dial Like a Wizard" [Hack #11]).

Now, here's the risk-free part. If while experimenting with SkypeOut, you keep your calls to less than 1 (about $1.25) in value (this gives you about 58 minutes of call time at SkypeOut's lowest global rate, but see "Avoid Higher SkypeOut Rates" [Hack #17]) and you don't like it, you can simply claim a refund (see "Claim Your Money Back" [Hack #16]) for the full amount of the credits you bought. Even if you inadvertently step over the 1 threshold for a full refund, it's not a total loss if you change your mind about SkypeOut, as you can request a refund of the unused balance of your credits. In fact, you can claim a refund at any time on these terms for your last SkypeOut credit purchase, regardless of whether it's your first credit purchase or a subsequent top-up purchase. However, SkypeOut credits do expire, so don't wait too long to request your refund (see "Avoid Forfeiting SkypeOut Credits" [Hack #21]).

An alternative to buying SkypeOut credits is to purchase an item of Skype-compatible hardware that is bundled with a voucher for SkypeOut credits. Skype has partnered with manufacturers of sound headsets and other types of complementary hardware add-ons to encourage you to start using Skype-Out. These vouchers typically offer 30 to 120 minutes of SkypeOut call time based on the lowest SkypeOut global rate, which means that you'll get your full 30 to 120 minutes if you call destinations having the lowest global rate, but possibly far fewer minutes if you call destinations at higher SkypeOut rates. Moreover, in the case of Skype vouchers used to fund Skype services, there is no refund option if you decide you don't like SkypeOutbut, of course, you do get to keep the hardware and use it for other things!

You can find Skype's terms and conditions at http://www.skype.com/company/legal/terms/tos_voip.html. Of particular interest for those who want to try SkypeIn without any risk is "Article 6REFUND POLICY."