BEWARE Skype WiFi

[havasu]

I am in an RV park that offers Tengo Internet and they give you a coupon for 2 hours use to prevent it being overloaded - no biggie.

At the end of the 2 hours, I still had an email that needed to be sent and Skype popped up to tell me that Skype WiFi was available. The screen that opened said that it would cost be %2c per minute - obviously someone had screwed up the coding as I guess %2 was a variable that should translate to an actual number - but I thought what the heck, it can't be that expensive for a couple of minutes.

I sent my email and then disabled the WiFi adapter to make sure I wasn't online.

Imagine my disgust when I checked my Skype balance to find that I had been charged 19c a minute and for 30 minutes! For $5.70 that was a freakin expensive email!

I have tried to contact Skype support of course and have an interesting dialog where I get progressively more upset and they simply regurgitate the same email which is basically "tough luck - no refunds"

They do not accept that the system should have shown me the correct per minute charge and apparently, to ensure that you are not charged for additional minutes you HAVE to switch off the Skype WiFi from within Skype - of course nowhere is this explained. Simply disabling the WiFi (or losing the signal etc) does not stop the 'session' and you will be charged for 30 minutes which is when the session automatically terminates.

It's shabby business practice, virtually a con trick and it's the last time I will ever be using Skype WiFi.

[1492]

The OP is not the first to complain of what appears to be a minimum access time charge by some Skype WiFi providers. It should be noted that Skype WiFi is apparently acting as a billing agent. They don't operate the WiFi service, and individual providers can have their own terms of service which is supposed to be provided before a connection can be made. See Skype terms of service:

19.4 Skype WiFi

Skype WiFi is provided by one of Skype’s WiFi partners. Your use of Skype WiFi is subject to that partner’s terms of service. Before you start a Skype WiFi session at a specific WiFi hotspot, you will be notified of the identity of the WiFi provider and their terms of service. You will have to read their terms of service, which you agree to be subject to by proceeding with the Skype WiFi session. You can pay for Skype WiFi using your Skype Credit balance, and your use of Skype Credit is subject to these Terms of Service.

If it was Tengo, than I would contact them and check to see if they have a minimum connection time for use of their paid service, or to dispute any charges.

[popeyemth]

Well I'd be PO'd too. 😞
I bet they knew that when they charged it to you.

[ralphnjoann]

popeyemth wrote:
Can you dispute the charges via your credit card?

No. Has to be over $50.

[joebedford]

I must admit that I've had trouble understanding what "Skype WiFi" actually does. Now that I've done some reading, it appears that Skype has arranged access with some providers (apparently Tengo is one of those providers) so you can use your Skype credit instead of paying the provider directly.

In this case, it appears that the OP paid Skype overhead on top of the Tengo rate for 2 minutes(?) access. Probably the minimum amount is 30 minutes access.

FWIW, the Skype credit webpage says that the access rate is displayed before the connection is made.

Just sayin'...

[Tvov]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
You sent an email that took 30 minutes? Or you sent your email and then make a skype call that lasted 30 minutes?

From what I understand, the email probably took a couple minutes to complete, but the wifi wasn't completely turned off by finding the "turn off" button/switch/area, even though the connection was terminated (computer shut down) ... so the wifi continued to charge for use until its minimum 30 minutes was completed. And this was not made easily understandable by the agreement for use.

I would assume (as the original poster probably did) that shutting off your computer and not using the wifi anymore would be enough to stop being charged for use. I am a little surprised hearing about this these days, as a system like this seemed to be much more common years (decades?) ago when wifi and internet were newer - most newer systems just charge for actual use.

Anyways, thank you to the original poster for the reminder to be aware and alert to how internet connection systems might be charging you.

[SolidAxleDurang]

You sent an email that took 30 minutes? Or you sent your email and then make a skype call that lasted 30 minutes?

[HaveAGoodOne]

For those wondering about skype wifi. http://www.skype.com/en/features/skype-wifi/

[Fizz]

When I see a phrase like 'Skype WiFi' I know where the problem is.

I stand corrected... Never mind.

[wilco]

I'm curious about this whole thing. Skype isn't a wifi provider, so far as I know it's a voice/video service owned by Microsoft that either allows you to connect with other subscribers for free or offers other additional services for a fee once you are connected to the 'net". Tengo is an internet provider that's pretty common in the SW US that allows you to connect to Skype or anyone/place else you might want to go on the internet.

So far as I know, Skype can't bill you for internet service since they don't provide it. If Skype has an e-mail service, I haven't found it and if I did, why would I use it, especially if there was extra cost involved.

Is this a new scam or just a misunderstanding?

[dons2346]

Why is that when someone "assumes" something and it proves out to be wrong and it costs more than expected, it becomes a scam?

If you thought something was wrong, why did you continue?

[popeyemth]

Can you dispute the charges via your credit card?

[powderman426]

havasu wrote:


Yes, I do get worked up over the principles of bad business and getting ripped off - regardless of the actual sums involved.

As well you should. If more people didn't just go along, there would be much less of this type of thing happening. I thank you.

[havasu]

HappyKayakers wrote:
At this point, you wrote a blank check to them and knew it, but hoped it wouldn't be too bad. Not sure why you're complaining about the company.

I guess you either didn't read or didn't understand the point.

It wasn't so much the fact that it cost 19c a minute (which in itself was ridiculous) but the fact that I was assessed on 30 minutes of use DESPITE turning off the WiFi adapter.

Yes, I do get worked up over the principles of bad business and getting ripped off - regardless of the actual sums involved.

[gbopp]

Cheer up. It could have been a real scam and the price could have been $19.00 per minute. :S