atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems 1A2 and Comkey Telephones & Systems Couldn't Believe My Eyes Today...

Wow...very cool!!

I just printed out a work order for them... I had to make one from scratch, lol! I suppose it's time for me to make my own template anyways. Total came out to $246. I incorporated a small cost for my time, but I'm not charging for install as I won't be the one putting the phones on the wall anyway. Besides, it'd be ridiculous to charge for that in the first place. That's way better than a few G's for a brand new system that does way more than she needs! I'm going to see if I can get the old phones from her for parts.

1. Remove faceplate with an unbent paperclip, used to release the metal clip at the center bottom of the faceplate.

2. Loosen two captive screws that hold the housing to the base. Sometimes those "captive" screws escape, so be careful not to drop them.

3. Loosen screws that hold the base to the wall.

4. Unplug cable.

Repeat in reverse order to re-install.

Thanks Arthur, those directions will be helpful for me to make a little guide for her when she gets the phones. I plan on getting my money up front tomorrow, then when I get back to Washington I am going to order, prepare, and ship the phones to her.

Well, I guess I can confidently say that was my first repair and sales experience ever. I sold them a new Cortelco 2854 in a nice ash, just like the phone up front, but for the kitchen. I also set them up so they can still receive calls when the power goes out. I would've just wired the ringer leads for each phone directly to the CO T/R, but the wiring was so old I didn't want to cause more damage than I had tools to repair.

The co-owner (the nice lady's husband) was pretty savvy, so I showed him how to remove the Amphenol connector when the new wall set arrives.

Have to say, although it wasn't very difficult, I'm feeling pretty satisfied with myself. It was a great experience for me and the restaurant owners. They get to keep their reliable phones, save money, and I got to play with old phone stuff, help someone else, and make some money all at the same time. I can't think of anything more to ask!

Thanks all, as always, for your never-ending help and time.

Good for you!

Sam

I know how you feel. There was a time when the telephone repairman was an respected guy in the neighborhood, and was looked upon with trust and admiration.

That was also the era when being the repairman brought in not only a decent wage, but was a job that provided pride in one's workmanship, and that little warm feeling that one was helping, rather than hindering, like so many government bureaucratic jobs.

Sadly, those days are history.

Uncle Dinosaur

I'll try and keep that alive as much as I can.

I believe a customer respects someone more who can repair their equipment than some one who tries to sell them a new system, most people just talk, and do not need all the bells & whistles , and that is why I still have customers who have equipment over 30 years


Great to see someone take a repair instead of sale

I made sure to applaud her for not giving into any high pressure salesmen. I asked her what she'd be quoted before–-she said a guy came in about five years ago (lol) and quoted her around $3,500 for a whole new system with TWO PHONES.

Two phones and a KSU for $3,500? Albeit I know some of that is labor, but I just bought a 4-line refurbished Avaya IP Office 406 system that came with 5 beautifully refurbished Definity phones for $349. To spend $3,500 for a system with only two phones is just ridiculous. I understand that there's a bottom line to stay in business, but that's just absurd. My two cents. I don't think I've spend $3,500 on my entire collection of phone systems. Right now I have about 6 different KSUs, and phones for every single one of them.