Has anyone noticed that some issues can be resolved instantly with a 30-second phone call, but if you rely on Amazon messaging the customer gets impatient and cancels?
I try to call internationally sometimes to clarify stuff (sizes, addresses, return labels, customs docs, etc.), but Skype Credits were my go-to and those are basically gone now. Monthly subs are pointless for me because it’s mostly ad-hoc calling.
Yes, this is a very real issue and a lot of FBM sellers run into it, because Amazon messaging can easily turn a 30-second clarification into a 24-hour delay that costs you the order.
For ad-hoc international calling without subscriptions, people usually switch to pay-as-you-go VoIP apps that still sell credit rather than plans, or use local SIM eSIM apps that let you make cheap outbound calls without locking you into a monthly fee.
Another workaround some sellers use is asking the customer for permission via Amazon messaging to call them directly to resolve the issue faster, which keeps you compliant and dramatically reduces cancellations when done politely.
That said, always document the outcome back in Amazon messages after the call so there’s a written record in case of disputes.
There isn’t a perfect replacement for old Skype credits yet, but flexible VoIP credit services plus quick follow-up in Amazon messages is currently the least painful setup for keeping order drop-offs low.