I Need An Answer Machine

biggar_2 · 5 December 2006 at 11:50PM

I have tried to search for an answer machine but I get pages and pages of phones.
Could someone point me in the right direction please?

anewman · 6 December 2006 at 12:47AM

I seem to remember a cheap one on ebuyer.com, also consider using services like 1571

Heinz · 6 December 2006 at 10:04AM

Please DUMP 1571!

The reason I say that is because, IMHO, 'free' 1571 services are nothing more than a clever con by call provider companies.

That's because calling someone who has the 'service' when they happen to be engaged on a call already, gets straight through to the 1571 'machine' (the caller has no option, the decision is out of their hands), the call is deemed to have been connected and charges ensue.

Without an inclusive call package, such a call on a weekday on BT would cost 12½p (13.1p from 3-12-11) connection (their 'Call Set-up fee') plus a minimum of 7.6p (7.95p from 3-12-11) - the unavoidable charge for the first minute. So, even when not leaving a message, that call would, rounded up to the next whole penny, cost 21p (22p from 3-12-11) and, considering that trying again (and again, and again) might have the same result too, it starts getting very expensive for your callers.

If the person you called didn't have 1571, you'd have heard an engaged tone, would have realised they were busy on a call, would not have been charged anything and probably would have decided to try again after a few minutes.

In any case, an answering machine set to answer after 8 or 9 rings is a far more 'friends and family friendly' device for when you're out. F&F quickly learn that, if you haven't answered by, say, the fifth ring, you're not going to - so they have the option of hanging on until the answering machine kicks in and leaving a message (at their expense) or hanging up (at no expense) and trying later.

DUMP IT. DUMP IT. DUMP IT.

Please don't be taken in by BT's 1st October 2010 'upgrade' of its 1571 service - to include a personaised greeting at no extra cost. Ignoring the obvious paradox that it is not possible to add something "at no extra cost" when there was no cost in the first place, that was clearly just an attempt to make the service more closely resemble a standard answering machine.

I dumped 1571 some time ago and picked up a very nice brand new BT Decor corded phone with built-in answering machine for about £10. This 'campaign' must be working - the prices can be a little higher now!:o

If you have BT 1571, you can cancel it online - use THIS WebMail form to avoid spending ages trying to cancel by phone.

N.B. This is really an extension/resurrection of Martin's 2005 "Do the 5 ring slam" thread.

biggar_2 · 6 December 2006 at 10:25AM

Thank you Heinz. I have 1571 and I didn't realise about the charges. In fact, my sister said that she kept phoning me last night and I was continually engaged.
Unfortunately the machine you recommend comes with a phone attached and I have 3 phones already so I don't think I can use a different phone.
Am I correct?
John

Heinz · 6 December 2006 at 10:44AM

biggar wrote:

Thank you Heinz. I have 1571 and I didn't realise about the charges. In fact, my sister said that she kept phoning me last night and I was continually engaged.
Unfortunately the machine you recommend comes with a phone attached and I have 3 phones already so I don't think I can use a different phone.
Am I correct?
John

Interesting you hadn't realised about the charges - that's what BT hope!

I just replaced my one and only corded phone with the Decor 500 (it's a loudspeaker telephone with built-in answering machine). I have a pair of DECT phones for normal use but like to have a corded phone in case of a power cut.

If you're wondering about having a fourth telephone connected, the limit is REN4 (which normally means 4 devices connected)

jackbremer · 26 September 2007 at 11:14PM

I've just dumped my free Virgin Media answer phone - if people need me they can call my mobile!

avqs43 · 8 October 2007 at 11:31AM

Heinz wrote: »

Please DUMP 1571!

The reason I say that is because, IMHO, 'free' 1571 services are nothing more than a clever con by call provider companies.

That's because, if you call someone who has the 'service' and they happen to be engaged§ on a call already, you go straight through to the 1571 'machine' (you have no option, the decision is out of your hands).. Your call is connected and you are charged (if you don't have an inclusive call package, such a call during the day on a weekday on BT would cost 6p connection plus a minimum charge of 3¼p for the first minute. . So, even if you don't want to leave a message, that call costs you 9¼p.. Trying again (and again, and again) might have the same result too (starts getting expensive).

If the person you called didn't have 1571, you'd have heard an engaged tone, would have realised they were busy on a call, would not have been charged anything and probably would have decided to try again after a few minutes.

Anyway, an answering machine set to answer after 8 or 9 rings is a far more 'friends and family friendly' device for when you're out.. F&F quickly learn that, if you haven't answered by, say, the fifth ring, you're not going to - so they have the option of waiting until the answering machine kicks in and leaving a message or, at no cost, hanging up and trying later.

BT has now come up with another little ruse to squeeze even more money out of 1571 - 'FREE' text alerts. Actually, it's not free to use - just free to sign up (isn't that good of them?) - the cost of the texts is charged to the landline number.

§ Rumour has it that Virgin Media has latched onto a devious way to make more money from 1571 - even when the called number is not already engaged. Apparently, they've reduced the number of rings before it kicks in - to THREE!
DUMP IT. DUMP IT. DUMP IT.

I dumped 1571 some time ago and picked up a very nice brand new BT Decor 500 LST and answering machine on ebay for about £10. This 'campaign' must be working - the prices are a little higher now!:o

The easy way to cancel 1571 without hanging on the phone for ages is to email BT via THIS PAGE.

N.B. This is really an extension/resurrection of Martin's 2005 "Do the 5 ring slam" thread.

I've just downloaded my latest paperless BT bill and found that I was charged £2.55 for the 1571 service. Queried it with India who informed me that as from 1 August I have to make two calls using BT to have this FREE service. As I only pay rental to BT and all of my calls are routed via another provider, I don't make calls via BT. However, the chap in India cancelled the 1571 service and has promised to refund the £2.55 fee. This fee is quarterly!!

I tried to 1571 five minutes after the call and it has been removed from my telephone line. The telephone number for inquiries is 0800 800150.

avqs43 · 8 October 2007 at 11:32AM

I've just downloaded my latest paperless BT bill and found that I was charged £2.55 for the 1571 service. Queried it with India who informed me that as from 1 August I have to make two calls using BT to have this FREE service. As I only pay rental to BT and all of my calls are routed via another provider, I don't make calls via BT. However, the chap in India cancelled the 1571 service and has promised to refund the £2.55 fee. This fee is quarterly!!

I tried to 1571 five minutes after the call and it has been removed from my telephone line. The telephone number for inquiries is 0800 800150.

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