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Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the difference between buying used versus refurbished telephone equipment? A: For the most part Used equipment is available in one of three ways: 1) Used and “as is” 2) Used and tested but with zero warranty and 3) Used and tested with some warranty – usually 30 to 90 days. Refurbished equipment is also of course previously “used phone equipment” but with the big difference being that a qualified technician has worked on the equipment, replacing any non working, worn parts or components. In many (but far from all) cases the phone or component may also have been repainted. Refurbished equipment - unlike used equipment - comes with a full warranty of at least one year. Q: isn’t buying new equipment always better? A: Surprisingly in our experience – no it isn’t! Keep in mind that during its creation most new telephone equipment never sees a live person until maybe the time they‘re packed for shipping. Refurbished equipment on the other hand is the work of a real live human technician who personally is responsible for the quality of each piece of equipment that he or she works on and then releases for you the customer to use. So while new equipment is good and fine, “quality wise” we have found that - by and large - refurbished equipment usually stacks up as well or better! It also costs a lot less and has the same or a better warranty! Q: Aren’t digital phone systems always better then analog ones? A: In most cases no they aren’t. If you consider that unless you are hooking up a T-1 (fiber optic 24 circuits) line directly into your system, the phone lines coming into your system are analog anyway so you are certainly not gaining any advantage in sound quality since your conversation is still going over an analog circuit anyway. Where digital Systems do offer a slight benefit is in the cabling of your phone system. Digital systems require only two wires per telephone and analog systems require a minimum of four. So if you are moving into an office that already has phone cables you potentially can put in more phones associated with a digital system then phones using an analog one - without having to add any additional cables. Q: Is Voice Over IP a good move for every office? A: In a number of situations yes but for every office no. Voice Over IP works great when you want to have seamless communications with multiple people in multiple locations. One example is where a company has a main office and several employees working out of their homes. Voice Over IP allows call to be transferred back and forth in such a way that someone calling into that main office would never know the person they have been transferred to is not in the office but working out of their home. For the average business however using the traditional set up of everyone working in the same location, in our opinion Voice Over IP is a “not ready for prime time” technology. There are still some major issues regarding sound quality and dropped calls. Additionally in almost all cases if your network crashes you then lose both your computers and your phones! Q: What type of wiring do I need for my phone system? A: Phone systems require several sizes of cable including one pair (2 wire) 2 pair (4 wire) or 4 pair (8 wire). Some older phone systems may also use 3 pair (6 wire). Category 5 or 6 cable (cable that’s made to handle high speed transmission of information like is needed for your computers) is fine but a lower speed and often less expensive cable such as Category 2 or 3 will work just as well - even with fully digital systems. Ask us and we’ll be happy to advise you as to which size and category cable is best for your telephone system. Also Teflon fire retardant coated cable is sometimes required by local building or fire codes. Check with you local fire department or municipal government to make sure which is required in your office. Q: Can I install a phone system I purchase from you myself? A: In many cases YES! We can often ship the system pre programmed to your specifications (a small additional programming charge may apply) so that all you need to do is hang the main box (otherwise known as a CPU or KSU) on the wall, connect the phones to it and you’re “good to go”! In some case however if your programming needs are more sophisticated or the cable in your office is bad, non existent or simply not set up for a phone system it may be better to bring in a professional to install your system. If that’s the case in most areas of the US and even some areas in Canada we can help through our network of highly qualified independent contractors. Q: What about integrating my telephone and computer system? A: This is very doable but it requires a somewhat higher investment in your telephone equipment and a good deal of planning and professional installation. We can help you with all of these things just ask one of our professionals and they’ll be glad to help! Q: If I send you phone or other component to repair how long will it take? A: Our normal turn around time is 3 to 6 business days from the time we receive the item to the time it is repaired and on its way back to you. For a small additional fee we are happy to handle rush orders that can be turned around in one to 2 business days and shipped back to you overnight or second day express.
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