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A short unbiased Tip List
Do not buy an exclusive telephone system that is sold and serviced by one firm. When you buy a system, you should have at least four local sources for service on the system you are considering. In other words, do not lock yourself in - leave yourself options. This point cannot be over stressed. Is it flexible? Does the phone have lots of buttons for speed dial and station busy indications? Are configurations easy changeable? Can you forward your phone to an outside number? If you are on the phone can the receptionist “announce” callers if you are already on the phone? If voice mail is to be installed, is it easy to use or do you have to remember codes, etc. Software Upgradeability. Many telephone manufacturers are famous for changing their system configurations almost continuously. You cannot simply keep the same sets and upgrade to a current version through software. This built-in obsolescence means service on your new system may be difficult to come by down the road, not to mention sky-high prices for replacement parts. Review response times and rates. Does the service company use their own technicians? Are they licensed electricians? Will you see if different and unfamiliar technician on every call? How is response defined - is that a call back or does that mean a technician is guaranteed on site? Downtime. How long will your lines be down during installation? Will the vendor be willing to do the cut over after your business hours? If so, will additional overtime be charged? If voice mail is to be installed, are all the personal greeting pre-recorded for you so it can be used right away? The bottom line. Some phone companies mark down the equipment only to overcharge for installation. Comparing unit pricing on one proposal to another sometimes does not give a fair comparison. Standard feature or option? Many proposals list a feature, but to activate that feature is an extra charge. For instance, if the proposal lists music-on-hold as a feature, does the vendor provide the necessary music source or is it an extra chargeable item? Is the system caller-ID ready? Hands-on demonstration. Have the company bring you a phone. Is the handset solid? How do the buttons feel? Seam lines? Brochures often make an inferior telephone look fabulous, when in reality it is substandard in construction. Trust your judgment. Contact names. Write down names. Who will install the system and what are his/her qualifications? Is he/she an employee or a subcontractor? Who, if anyone, will train you on the system? If problems arise, who can you call at the vendor office - will the salesperson stay with you and by your decision? Last note: It is better to buy an “average” phone system from an excellent service company who will do a detailed job on the installation and programming than the best phone system many can buy, with a poor install and set-up design. Forget the slick salespeople (and their promises) employed by most phone companies - remember - it is highly unlikely the salesperson is going to be interested in seeing the job through once the sales order is signed ... Ask to meet
with the technician who will actually install your system for answers.
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