Adding an answerphone to an existing phone?

TomsMom

I'm having a difference of opinion with someone.

They have a BT Graphite 2100 Trio phone. They now have a need for an answerphone. They say they can buy an answerphone with single handset and it will work OK. I say they can't just add one and need to buy a complete new phone system with answerphone facility.

Can anyone tell me who is correct please?

teddysmum

I can't comment on digital phones, but we had separate answer machines when we had the old wired phones.

oldharryrocks

It would normally work with a standaone answering machine, or one built in a phone.

Could be just as cheap to upgrade the lot EG: http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/binatone-luna-cordless-telephone-with-answer-machine---twin-327775

jem16

TomsMom wrote: »

They have a BT Graphite 2100 Trio phone. They now have a need for an answerphone. They say they can buy an answerphone with single handset and it will work OK. I say they can't just add one and need to buy a complete new phone system with answerphone facility.

Can anyone tell me who is correct please?

If they have another telephone socket to connect it to it will work fine. If they're trying to register it as a dect phone it might have problems.

TomsMom

jem16 wrote: »

If they have another telephone socket to connect it to it will work fine. If they're trying to register it as a dect phone it might have problems.

Thank you. It will be connected to another telephone socket on the landing whereas the main base of his original phone is in the lounge. He says it's not a case of registering it as another handset to his original phone but it will be independent of it (he has just the one phone line).

It seems as though he was correct then. I shall bow to his superior knowledge and eat a slice of humble pie

[Deleted User]

You can 'add' this to your existing phone http://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Response-Digital-Answer-Machine/dp/B001O3NY32/

You plug it into your landline, you then plug your old phone into it - it then intercepts calls if you don't answer the phone in time.

Quite annoyingly, i've got one of these in my draw not used anymore.. if you're near St Albans you are free to have it!

TomsMom

ringo_24601 wrote: »

You can 'add' this to your existing phone http://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Response-Digital-Answer-Machine/dp/B001O3NY32/

You plug it into your landline, you then plug your old phone into it - it then intercepts calls if you don't answer the phone in time.

Quite annoyingly, i've got one of these in my draw not used anymore.. if you're near St Albans you are free to have it!

That's very kind of you to offer but unfortunately nowhere near St Albans. I did mention that a stand alone answerphone would be a simple answer for them and suggested that one.

TomsMom

oldharryrocks wrote: »

It would normally work with a standaone answering machine, or one built in a phone.

Could be just as cheap to upgrade the lot EG: http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/binatone-luna-cordless-telephone-with-answer-machine---twin-327775

Thanks. I suggested a complete new system. They've had Binatone in the past but were unhappy with the quality so bought the BT one. I think they'll look at getting a single handset answerphone and plug it into the socket on the landing, that seems to suit their needs (the answerphone is for messages left for his business and the desk is on the landing). Thanks for your suggestion.

jem16

TomsMom wrote: »

Thank you. It will be connected to another telephone socket on the landing whereas the main base of his original phone is in the lounge. He says it's not a case of registering it as another handset to his original phone but it will be independent of it (he has just the one phone line).

That will work fine and is the set up my parents use.

if they are looking to buy a new set with answering machine I would recommend this phone as it has a built in call blocker to stop all those nuisance calls.

http://www.telephonesonline.co.uk/bt-8500-trio-digital-cordless-answer-phone-with-advanced-call-blocker.html?utm_source=GoogleFeed&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=FroogleCordless&gclid=Cj0KEQiAyvqyBRChq_iG38PgvLgBEiQAJbasd2tCEVNZOU_n9HjX5H9IjaD6qwCrOSl8KuUdlXwXtM0aAljx8P8HAQ

Mister_G

I can certainly second the BT8500. It's a wonderful piece of kit that does exactly what is says on the tin.

Our phone has been remarkably silent (apart from the calls that I want) ever since I put it in about 3 months ago.

teddysmum

Our first digital phone (including answer machine) was a BT one bought when the Tandy chain closed down and it didn't last long. It's speaker failed and was too expensive to replace.


Since then we have had a Panasonic, which has lasted for years. Calls are fine but it has a stiff '1' key, so I'm looking up prices for a replacement and find that an answer machine version is only a couple of pounds more than a basic phone. (Amazon prices)