An Answering Machine with Bells and Whistles

I’ve worked in the answering service industry for most my life. I remember when answering machines made their debut and then came voicemail. Trudging through those complicated voicemail trees and outdated answering machines have and are crimping my style.  There is nothing better than a live voice.  Below is an example of a company who, during this economy, is introducing an updated version of an old dinosaur.

Today while on the Inc.com site I read an article on the Oomla Telo & Handset.  For $299.00 and up you can have a system that provides cordless handset, voicemail and VoIP service.  Paying an additional $12.00/month you will receive the landline to cell transfers, a second line and 3 way conferencing. 

For some of you this may sound like a grand deal.  You get all that stuff in one system.  But for fun let’s breakdown the system features and costs with other providers.  Has anyone heard of the call forwarding feature?  For a nominal monthly fee through your phone provider you can utilize a feature that will allow you to forward your landline phone number to your cell phone. The last time I checked online, you can purchase a wireless headset for around $70.00.  Via Talk is offering VoIP service unlimited, a second line and 3-way calling for $189.00/year which comes out to $15.75/month. 

So what are you getting for your $299.00 and up?  In my opinion… a box.

Gail Gamertsfelder
VP-CAO, A Better Connection, Inc.