Feel Free To Call, I'll Get The Message...
Written: Oct 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap With Great Performance
Cons: Lacks Advanced Features
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| caconti's Full Review: 1717 Digital Answering Machine |
Equipping Yourself for the Cosmopolitan Lifestyle
Life in D.C. for the young and employed. Flush with cash, we host dinner parties, attend nightly happy hours and generally live it up in the city. That means that we're out of the house most of the time, so a good answering machine is an essential accessory for the metropolitan life, or at least it is for those of us who despise voicemail….
I fought a machine for as long as I could, almost a week to be exact, but it soon became obvious that I needed new technology to capture all of my important messages from friends, family and furniture delivery guys.
It's now been over two months since I first purchase the AT&T 1717 Answering Machine, and I couldn't be happy with it. Small and functional, inexpensive and attractive, it's the perfect choose for budget-conscious shoppers…
The Upsides
1.Useful Features:
*Distance Retrieval- This is an extremely important and convenient feature. By creating a security code when you program the 1717, you can then remotely access your messages at any time by calling home and entering the code.
In the few months that I've had the AT&T 1717, that feature in itself has paid back the price of the machine. It's especially useful when you're away on long weekends or vacations, or even when you just forget to write down the number of someone who called you last night.
*Date/Time Stamp- There's nothing more vexing than getting a message and having no idea when the person left it. Is that invitation to dinner for tonight or did they leave it yesterday? The 1717 leaves a date and time stamp on each message, so you know exactly when the person called every time.
*Control- It's the little things that matter in the end, and the small features of the 1717allow you to fine-tune the machine to meet your exact needs. Don't feel like answering the phone at home? Set the machine to pick up on one ring. Don't feel like listening to a crazy ex yell into your machine? Turn the volume down? Whatever your personal preferences, the 1717 has the flexibility to meet your specifications.
*Lack of Tape- It seems obvious to me, but every time I walk into an electronics store I still see answering machines that run on tape. Not only do these systems get worn down with age as the tape is erased and re-filled, but they also provide dozens more opportunities for human error.
2.Price- Brace yourself, but the high-end sticker price for this answering machine is $29.99, and you rarely even see it at that. I got mine for $10 online, with shipping. With all the features and general quality that the machine packs, either one of those prices qualifies as reasonable.
This is a machine for those of us on a budget, and its about time we had one!
See my digression at the end of the review for tips on saving even more on the 1717.
3.Appearance- White with a baby blue center button, the AT&T 1717 is a sleek piece of equipment that blends well. That's the strength of the 1717, its coloring and design make it a subtle addition to any room, refusing to clash with any decorating style. For those of us who like to change our rooms more than Madonna changes boyfriends, that's a nice flexibility to have…
More important than the attractiveness of this little guy, however, is its size. For those of us living in apartments and trying to make the most of their space, an answering machine that takes up the same counter space as a slice of bread is a huge advantage.
1717--Selling Out
I've saved the best part for last, the fact that this answering machine can easily be had for well under its already low $29.99 sticker price. I got mine from Amazon.com on sale and with one of their Electronics discounts (try slickdeals.net), and the same deals can be found at other online electronics stores. This thing's a good deal at full price, and simply a steal at $10-15...
To let me know if you enjoyed this review, drop me a message on my Ericsson by writing a quick one to 2404603594@mobile.att.net
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
caconti
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Christian Conti
Location: Washington, DC
Reviews written: 636
Trusted by: 481 members
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