If this description sounds like you, have no fear; there are some easy things to understand when it comes to buying phones. You just need some basic answers and information to get your shopping experience underway.
When shopping around for phones, be aware of the different kinds available. You can either purchase a corded phone, a cordless phone, a single-line multi-phone system or a multiple-line phone system. If that sounds confusing, don’t worry. You’ll get all the information you need to make an informed decision when purchasing phones.
Corded Phones
This is the regular kind of phone that hangs on your wall. It has a cord attached to the handset and is really nothing special. Some of these phones come with a built-in caller ID and some do not. They are very basic in functionality. You simply have a key-pad, redial button, ring volume button and a flash button. Typically, no other features accompany this kind of phone. Cord lengths can vary, but usually you find corded phones with six- or ten-foot cords.
Cordless Phones
These phones are a little more sophisticated than regular corded phones. The obvious distinction is there is no cord. Cordless phones operate from wireless signals sent by a receiver or base station. The signals are also referred to as frequency. 900 megehertz phones used to be popular, but not so much anymore. Nowadays you can find 5.8 gigahertz phones for decent prices. The most popular is the 2.4 gigahertz phone. What you need to understand is the higher the frequency (gigahertz), the greater clarity and distance you’ll receive. For example, if you’re out in your garden talking on the phone, you won’t get the disturbance you once received. The higher gigahertz phones just have a better sound, even when you’re far away from the receiver. Many cordless phones have a caller ID built-in. Some even have a speaker phone option. Look at the features you want and buy the appropriate phone.
Single-line Multi-phone Systems
These phones can be a little confusing. These phones have more than one phone that picks up a signal from the receiver or base unit. You can typically add up to eight phones to these systems. You need to have the receiver unit plugged into a phone jack somewhere in your home or office. Normally, the receiver unit has a phone of its own. But you can also have up to eight additional phones strategically placed in your office or home. These additional phones do not need to be plugged into a phone jack. They simply need to be plugged into a power supply (wall outlet). The cool thing about these phones is you can talk between them. If you’re in one room and you want to talk to your son in another room, you can page him with this phone system. All additional phones come with caller ID so you know if you need to get the phone or if someone else has picked it up. These phones come in the 2.4 or 5.8 gigahertz frequencies. Remember, this system is still a single line. If someone in your home is talking on the phone and someone else is trying to call you, that person tying to call will hear a busy signal and not be able to get through.
Multiple-line Phone Systems
These phones have more than one line. You can usually purchase these phones in two, three or four-line systems in retail stores. Sometimes these phones are corded and sometimes they are cordless. There are even some multi-line phone systems where additional phones may be purchased, just as the multi-phone system above. Most of the time, businesses will buy these phone systems. If you experience a high number of calls per day, you may want to consider buying a multi-line system. Be sure you consult with your phone company to see different charges that apply for having multiple telephone lines. Typically, there is still only one basic number to call. When someone is using line one, a roll-over takes place and the person calling is automatically switched to line two, three or four, depending on which lines are busy. You can purchase multi-line phones with more than four lines; however, you will probably have to special order them through a business supply store.
By John Ivie