How do live chats work

So how do live chats work? is it like a video call or do you have to type what you are saying ie bit like a e-mail but live
I don't have a camera so hope it's not like a video call

and does any one have a phone number for Amazon uk as they now don't have an e-mail contact any more just live chat or ask for a call back

 

Chat is okay. You just type, they respond, and so on. I have used it several times.

 

Funny, I just got off of a live chat with British Gas, well they call it live chat but you are talking to a bloody useless piece of electronic junk that is designed to piss you off and then just go, and say they are busy.
If that is live chat, forget it.

 

I hadn't thought of that, but last time I had a chat with what I think was a real person on BG they gave me an e mail address to send a message and a photo to.
I never received a reply.

 

So basically pointless for complaints.

 

It was Amazon UK I was referring to. I think they phoned me and I got an Asian chap who was very helpful and my problem was resolved. But I have not used Amazon UK since Brexit and now use Germany or Spain ... and heaven forbid should I have to contact them bt have had refunds from both.

 

Funny how this topic was started just this afternoon as we had a problem with Amazon.UK yesterday evening! We had ordered a book for our granddaughter for Christmas. What we got was an empty Amazon envelope stuffed through our letterbox! I tried to phone them to lodge a complaint on "get a call back". I put in my number & then waited to ring till my wife got off the phone to her sister in Spain. She took so long I gave up on that option & went to the chat with us option. But as @JWK points out you get answers from their FAQs page. I was getting thoroughly angry until, I don't know how, I got through to an option to report not having received anything in the packet option. Then it was plain sailing & I requested a repeat book & it was ordered there & then! No more "hoops" to jump through! The correct item arrived within about 24/25 hours!
.

 

Thank you all for your replys
Now i will have to think do i phone or speak to a robot

 

Maybe that has something to do with the absurd beards they wear!

 

Well, i've just come off a live chat after 5 hours and about 10+ different people!!!! had 2 gift cards where i couldn't read the claim code, so had to prove everything with chat + e-mails of cards and activion receipts etc etc but all sorted now, i know they have to be carefull of scamers but hell's bell's it was hard work and the computer nearly went out the window with out opening it

 

You have the Patience of Job ... I would not have lasted 10-15 minutes! Pleased it was resolved.