About Phone System Dealers

Ask the Important Questions

Office phone systems are bought through dealers who take care of the sale, installation, and programming of the phone. It is crucial to find a reputable dealer since you will be both purchasing your company's phone system, but also choosing the people who are responsible for installing it. Be sure to consider how many installations a specific dealer has performed for your system, and remember that a dealer who has installed many of the same systems will generally be more familiar with the process and subsequent problems that could arise. You should also consider purchasing the dealer's best-selling brand, as a dealer that is committed to a brand will likely offer long-term service for your office.

Prospective dealers should offer a demonstration of different office phone systems so you can choose the one that best suits your office's needs. Demonstrations can be done at your office or the dealer's office, but it is a good idea for the dealer to visit your site in order for them to get a better sense of your communication needs and current infrastructure.

Ask about the dealer's experience, the size of the companies involved and what features were added to those companies. Get recent references and utilize them, asking about the reference's experiences with the dealer in detail. Make sure the technicians working in your office are equally experienced. Check warranties and manufacturers guarantees, as it is crucial that your phone system will be supported by the dealer long-term.

Finally, ask these important questions:

• Will the dealer or a subcontractor be performing the installation?
• What will training include and who will provide it?
• Does the dealer provide backup in the case of a power outage?
• What are the service and maintenance costs? Are there any changes we can make ourselves if we want to avoid a service call?