sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Customer looking for an "inexpensive" system

No problem, just wanted to let you know Ed isn't like that, that's all. And O-yea I hear ya about everyone being cheap these days.

Is there any way for you (or someone you know) to write out nice easy to read documentation, like on one sheet of paper, laminated, and give that to the client? Have them pay you for your time to create easy to follow documentation. Use symbols/pictures of the phone and buttons to make it really simple.

Seems a bit silly for them to be asking for a new, easy to use system that would cost $$$, when they already have a working system is paid for.

JMarc: I just found it humorous that the customer joked about it having to be cheap. She prefaced the conversation with "we are a small congregation, so naturally we are expecting something cheap". She is a bit of a firecracker to say the least. We actually service quite a few larger temples and churches in the area, and even they often have tight budget constraints.

While it is true that everyone is struggling these days financially, fitting a customer into a system with all of the bells/whistles with only three phones can often be a daunting task from a cost perspective.

I'm leaning toward trying to get them to understand the system they already have better since as I mentioned, ESI systems are amazingly simple when someone knows how to use the powerful features. My guess is that the original installer just didn't spend a good "one-on-one" session with them. As much as it would be nice to take advantage of the situation and sell them a new system, I still have to be able to sleep at night.

Hawk, I agree with your suggestion. Coupling that with a good end-user familiarization is probably the most ethical solution in this situation. We make a little bit of money for our time, they save a bunch of money and everyone wins.

How about a refurbished Partner ACS?

Having done a some church jobs in the last few years, they are all tight with a buck, regardless of their faith. Let's face it, with all the peole out of work, I'm sure churches have seen their revenue slip too

As for an easy system to use, try the DSX from NEC. The new software even allows the end user to make minor changes using IE. Of course, if they're Luddites, it may be an uphill battle any way you shake it.

Depending on the size of the building...

Panasonic 5.8 Ghz 4-Line FHSS Expandable Cordless Phone System with Call Waiting Caller Id and Answering System (KX-TG4500B)

I know they did have the Wireless Desk sets...all you needed was A/C power.

If he opened up with "got a call from a nearby Catholic church", no one would have said anything. You guys put your own stereo types on his statement.

But yeah I agree that ESI is one of the easier systems out there, they probably just need a proper "cheat sheet". If not ESI, the NEC DSX is pretty easy to use. Lately I've been giving custom cheat sheets to new installs, and I rarely get calls about how to do things.

My favorite is the certain ethinic group who always has an uncle/brother/cousin who can get it for less, but they're doing me a favor to have me give them a bid :-).

Back in the Comdial days when you could turn on BGM with a 47 command, we used to have a customer call about once a month with a "we just turned on the background music (that they didn't have so it was a hiss) and don't remember how to turn it off".

Just like to old computer joke, turn off the power, box it up and send it in. you're too stupid to own a computer.

I vote for training. I still have a low budget customer that doesn't "understand" the voice mail, but at least they call me everytime they get a new employee.

Carl

Seems like a little training is all they need ... the C Class is a great little system with tons of capabilities for such a basic system.

Anything you put in, especially a "cheap" option will be a downgrade.

Why do they want / need a new one?

COMMON LAW OF BUSINESS

It's unwise to pay too much...but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much,you lose a little money...that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.

Found this several years ago.