I want to buy a BASIC phone

[ellenrr]

if any such exist any more.
(I've been told ok to ask here).

I want a phone that allows me to call people that live too far away to visit.
I don't need a phone that makes coffee.
ie, I don't need any bells and whistles.
I wanted a corded phone, bec. they are less harmful to the brain than cordless.

Last time I needed a phone it took a long time but I found an ATT model which suited me.
ok, it was cheap - I think $25.oo,
but the danged thing just gave out, I had it a little over a year.

so no more AT&T.
(The previous AT&T phone I had had lasted 20 years, but it was made in the era when things actually lasted).

I always check consumer reports for products, I will do that.
I wonder if they even rate the kind of phone I want, since no one much uses them any more.

any ideas much appreciated.- what brand to look for, where to look--

{I know I am a dinosaur, so pls don't tell me to get with it. I know what I want. }

thanks.

ellen

[B Calm]

1. We like our AT&T flip Go Phone.

[bemildred]

6. Yep, that's the ticket, $2 per day when you use it. Nothing when you don't. NT

[B Calm]

7. Yep, and you can do away with the outdated landline and even save more money!

[FrodosPet]

27. I hope I am wrong, but someday we may regret losing the copper POTS

(Plain Old Telephone System)

Wireless is handy, take it anywhere and everywhere. But they are damn near useless if the shit hits the fan. If the power grid or the telecommunications structure goes down, you are cut off.

Landlines were self-powered from the central office, so as long as they had backup power and the copper line was intact, you were able to communicate.

[whathehell]

53. Yes, I like land lines. I think they may be safer, too. n/t

[NuclearDem]

42. Yep. I have an old iPhone that I basically just use as an iPod touch

but for making calls, I use an AT&T Z222.

[leftofcool]

2. I have an LG flip phone that works like a champ

I think mine was about 49.00 when I bought it 7 years ago. it rings in, it dials out which is all I want it to do. They have probably gone up a bit but not all that much.

[htuttle]

3. We have a land line, and bought an ATT phone at Ace Hardware

Cost about $15.00, IIRC.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3766925

[ellenrr]

5. thank I'll look into that. would not have thought

of Ace hardware!
Have you had your phone long?
As I said mine went poof after a little over a year.

well.. maybe it's worth it-- I only spent $25.00.

I wouldn't mind paying more to get a phone that would last.

[htuttle]

8. They usually last about 1-3 years

Depending on how much we accidentally kick it around, drop it off the side table, or fail to notice our cat chewing on the cord.

You can find them at most office supply type stores, too, like Staples, OfficeMax, etc.

[enlightenment]

56. We have a Uniden brand

corded phone for our landline. Our has cordless extensions, but you can get single lines, I believe.

Sound quality is not as good as the old ATT phones, but not terrible, either. We've had it for five years with no issue.

You might also check thrift stores for an old ATT Slimline.

[ellenrr]

62. 5 years! that's good. I've seen this brand, but not knowing the brand I didn't

want to try it.
but sounds quite adequate.
thanks.

[ellenrr]

9. lol, that's the same one I have. I loved it, until it died. actually

I'm going to test it in my neighbor's jack to make sure it is the phone, but I think it is.
The cable company tested my model and that appears fine, and I have internet and tv and phone on the same modem, and they are fine,
so it would seem to be the phone.
The cable company said it could be the cable (to the phone), which would be easy to replace and test, but I haven't done that yet.
bec. the wires seem fine to me.
they are also quite new.

[htuttle]

12. I've had the phones go out, the lines to the wall go out...

...the handset cord go out, and one time the line outside the house was screwed up.

But the place to start is to see if the phone itself works. I had one that hadn't received any abuse (it was on the wall) sort of fade away over time until we couldn't hear it anymore, so they do break all by themselves. They're just all cheap nowadays.

There is a market for higher end, retro-style phones out there, but I'm not sure they're actually built better inside. If you scour some second hand stores, you can sometimes find one of those old indestructible four-pound ATT desk phones, but I haven't seen many of those lately.

[ellenrr]

4. I forgot to say, this is for a landline..

[ViseGrip]

10. I bought a landline phone for table at a car show for 5.00.It's a VW Camper Bus!

Many types of landline out there...Kmart, ACE, Target, flea markets...etc. They are still everywhere. I have a bunch for back when campaign offices needed them...and you had to hook up lots$ of phone lines for phone banking. Not necessary any more. I do keep one, in case of power outages...your cordless won't work. So if you don't have cell service, a regular phone is a good idea. If you can't find one for some reason, let me know.

[dumbcat]

26. Is it really a landline?

You mentioned it plugging into a cable modem in a post above. That makes it sound like you are using a VOIP phone line over your internet connection. Different animals. Most times it won't make any difference to you, but it does change the troubleshooting process.

[ellenrr]

38. yes I plug it into a cable modem, they checked the modem, so

I assume it is my phone,
when you say different trouble shooting process- ?
I don't know anything I else I can check.

Optimum repair was very eager to get me to buy an "insurance" plan for $15.oo which would mean if they came to my place, and the problem was MY equipment, not theirs, they would not charge $0-$60. for the visit.

my thot is for $15.00 I can buy another phone.

and when TWO of their technicians tried to sell me on this "insurance" plan that made me decline.

[dumbcat]

43. If you plug it into a cable modem it is not a "telephone" line

that comes from a "telephone" company over a "landline." It is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) voice service that comes over your "internet cable" connection that acts likes an old fashioned "telephone" line. But it's not, at least to us engineers.

Having said that, it's probably all the same to consumers nowadays. If I were you I would ask to borrow a friend's corded phone and see if it works. Maybe you do need a new "phone."

[ellenrr]

49. I plugged my phone into a working jack, and not a peep,

so the problem must be my phone.
But interestingly, the same time I started having problems (yesterday) some people in the building with Verizon service (true land lines, not thru the internet) also lost service.

hmmm... sabetage.
odd tho.

[Fla_Democrat]

11. It's a bit pricey

http://www.amazon.com/Cortelco-ITT-2500-MD-BK-Single-Line-Telephone/dp/B002LLH3Q0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1450967877&sr=1-1&keywords=Cortelco+%28ITT-2500-MD-BK%29+Single+Line+Desk+Telephone

Cortelco (ITT-2500-MD-BK) Single Line Desk Telephone $24.38 (prime)

[razorman]

16. This is obviously one of those fancy new-fangled phones with the buttons

instead of a dial.

[Fla_Democrat]

22. Even moar pricey.....

Glodeals Black Vintage Old Fashioned Rotary Dial Home Telephone $65.49 + shipping....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D75W9WW/ref=twister_B0185285L0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1



Seems like the more retro, the higher the price.

[razorman]

66. When these were used, you weren't allowed to own your phone.

It belonged to the phone company and you had to rent it.

[ellenrr]

17. that's a beaut! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

13. Just so you know, the 'basic phone' both cell and at home are currently hip on levels most people

are not hip enough to even know about. Among those who might be subject to intrusions or hacking, the land line and flip phone are the accessories of the day. That is, many famous persons use the basic devices to avoid the perils of the bells and whistles.
So you are not in fact a dinosaur, you are an early adopter of a new mode.

[ellenrr]

19. :) no I didn't know that. so I need not feel embarrassed at being a lover of the basic...

[razorman]

14. I sympathize with your dilemna. I am still carrying

an old flip-phone that I have had for 7 - 8 years. My son works at a secure government facility that does not allows cameras on the site. At one point, he found a simple phone to use at work, and would switch out the SIM card with his Iphone before he went into the facility every morning. But, I am not sure that you can find a basic phone anymore, except perhaps for the ones they make especially for seniors, with large buttons and such.

[CountAllVotes]

15. check on ebay.com

Do a search on vintage telephone corded AT&T and you'll see plenty of them for sale. I had an old one too but it died on me last year and I bought a "new" replacement for it, your typical Made in China piece of junk.

It still works and I keep it for emergencies in case the power goes out.

Remember those Princess phones? They'd have you pick out the color you wanted and everything when you moved and had a new phone line activated.

[GoCubsGo]

28. You don't even need to go to eBay.

There are always tons of them at Goodwill and other thrift shops for a couple of bucks. Most of the time, all they need is a wipe with a little bit of your favorite cleaning solution. Usually, they're old, which means they're better-made than the new ones.

[CountAllVotes]

34. It was just a suggestion

Not everyone has the ability to go out and search through second-hand shops and/or garage sales.

I've picked up some great deals on ebay.com; quite recently, a new cover for the recliner for $2.99.

[GoCubsGo]

37. And, so was mine.

I was just adding another option to what you said. No need to be so defensive.

[ellenrr]

39. this is true, I'd much prefer an old one. Unfortunately high rents in my area have driven most

re-sale shops out, but I do know where there is a goodwill.

[GoCubsGo]

48. What a shame!

Thanks to extremely lax zoning and construction rules, there has been lots of over-building in the shithole town where I live. Not to mention merging of grocery chains, and the departure of Sears and JC Penney leaving tons of retail space empty. Rent is cheap enough that even the local SPCA has 3 thrift shops in town.

[KentuckyWoman]

18. Western Electric

You might get lucky and find an old western electric push button phone at yard sales or thrift stores. That's how I got mine.

A quick look at Ebay and Etsy they both have models listed for under $25.


A Western Electric phone will last longer than you or your kids......

[ellenrr]

20. thanks, I will look for western electric nt

[LiberalArkie]

55. About the only thing that goes wrong with the old style WE or ITT phones are the mouthpiece

Unscrew the cap. The transmitter just drops out. Take in and thump it on a hard surface a couple of times and put it back in. The transmitter has carbon powder in it and it gets packed. When that happens the audio sounds like crap. When you pull it out and bumping it, it jumbles the powder and improves the audio. The only other thing is the handset cord. When it makes a bad connection it generates noise. You can usually unplug it and plug back in several times and by doing that it cleans the connection. That do go bad and you can find them just about everywhere.

[ellenrr]

63. will save this info. thanks. nt

[ellenrr]

21. I have another (related) question

to test my phone, I plugged it into a jack in my apt.
Nothing happened.
Then I thot, since my normal set-up - is no jack-
Prior to problem with this phone, I had phone connected to answering machine, which plugged into the wall- all powered by cable company.

so I wonder if the jacks in my apartment are "turned on".

btw, you guys are so great! so many responses so quickly, and so much information, and some of it I wouldn't even have thot to ask.

If I stay away from politics du is a pretty nice place. lol.

(I usually ask my brother these questions, but he is busy with my elder, ill father, so I haven't the heart to ask him - altho he would probably know this stuff.)

[dumbcat]

29. Do you pay a telephone company for phone service?

Sometimes nowadays it's hard for the average consumer to tell the difference, but you sound like you have internet phone service, not a hard wired land line like you get from an old fashioned "telephone" company. If your other wall jacks in your apartment don't work I suspect it is because you don't have (paid for) "telephone" service.

[ellenrr]

41. yes, I use the term "landline" to distinguish from cell phone, but

you are correct - I get my phone service thru the cable company.

I just tried my phone on someone's jack - which works - and my phone is dead.

But it's weird (I live in a senior building) and people in the building who have Verizon for their provider also have dead phones.
I guess it is coincidence, I don't see how this could be related...

[LiberalArkie]

64. Technically you have a landline (wireline telephone set) that is using VOIP over the cable internet.

Verizon has been know to cut the copper to buildings so they do not have to maintain it. So once an old wireline telephone customer disconnects, they cut it so no one else can subscribe to it. CWA union stated that Verizon really only spends 3cents a month on maintenance for each wireline phone line. Verizon claims over $3000 a month maintenance per line, but that $3000 a month is maintenance for cellular, wireline and special circuits per line per month.

[PowerToThePeople]

23. 10 rem "I want a basic phone"

20 goto store

[lpbk2713]

25. I see what you did there.

30 END

[JimDandy]

33. LOL. That takes me back 35 years. n/t

[Codeine]

36. Well played. nt

[Duckhunter935]

24. Ebay for a land line phone

You can get them cheap and the older ones last forever.

[pinboy3niner]

30. I got a new (not vintage) corded phone a few years ago for $8

It has a few extra features that I just don't use. The Caller ID display is small and hard to read, but my cable provider displays Caller ID on the TV screen, which solves that problem.

I got the corded phone for privacy, as cordless phone conversations can be picked up by a neighbor's cordless headphones or baby monitor. I had to adjust my cordless headphones to avoid getting interference from the phone conversations of a half dozen neighbors.

[GoneFishin]

31. Check thrift stores. Salvation Army or Goodwill.

[GoCubsGo]

32. Goodwill or other thrift shop for the corded phone.

You'll not only be helping out a charity, but it's also a more environmentally-friendly option. Not to mention that the stuff there is usually older, and more likely better-made--and far less expensive.

[ellenrr]

45. + all good points. thanks. for today I need a phone,

so I'll buy the cheapest I can and take some time to see if I can find an older one.

[Cyrano]

35. Amazon.com has anything and everything

you need.

Just type in amazon.com, then type in "phones land lines," pick what you want, use your credit card and it'll be delivered to your door.

[matt819]

40. Land line or cell phone?

If landline, I've been generally happy with the Panasonic phones I've used. I use cordless, but I'm pretty sure they have corded as well. Answering machine included in most (all?) models. Lots of features, even if you choose not to use them. Single line phones without extra handsets can be found pretty cheap at Staples (and probably all the other bricks/mortar and online spots).

[monmouth4]

44. I love my Jitterbug, don't want or need any add-ons. $25 a month..n/t

[Nay]

52. Have you traveled the states with your Jitterbug and found that it

has good service just about everywhere? I want one of those simple-type phones, too.

Oh, and does the battery last as long as they say it does?

[monmouth4]

61. I've had mine for almost a year, no need for battery yet, charge it everyday and the sound is great.

[GeorgeGist]

46. Here's a bunch

http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wired+phone

[ellenrr]

51. thanks! I like that one by Vtech-

makes sense to me to have the number pad on the base, instead on on the headset, which is where it is on the one I have.
the one I have is that AT & T- 210M pictured trimline for $10.00 -
hmmm... I paid $20.00 or so.
but it only lasted a little over a year.
I do not recommend it.

or that Emerson - works in power outages - that would be a boon.

well, I see why people shop Amazon, I'm always telling people not to, bec. of their bad policy toward workers --
but maybe just this once........

thanks - very helpful link.

[snooper2]

47. I can make one for you...you want it out of wood? and touch-tone or rotary?

click click click click

[dembotoz]

50. a bit of concern that you get a rotary phone on a touch tone line

cable lines might not understand the rotary clicks

generally if the cable company or reg phone company is bugging you to switch...tell them you have rotary phones and you like them and can you keep them....
then tellem you still drive a de soto but you are having trouble getting parts....they say good bye quickly.

[kimbutgar]

54. You can get a flip phone from tracfone for $10

Then buy airtime for $20 with 60 minutes for 3 months. I have been using and replacing these type of phones for years now. Last year between my husband and I we spent $120 for the entire year. That's what some people pay monthly.

[WillowTree]

57. Walmart carrys some if you're not adverse to them.

[Binkie The Clown]

58. I've used my Samsung flip phone from Radio Shack for many years now. Happy with it. n/t

[Ernesto]

59. proud flip phone geezer here!

Try this........ Google: "used flip phones for sale" There are plenty out there!

[razorman]

67. Cool. How easy are they to connect to a carrier?

[ellenrr]

60. VICTORY is mine!

so I went to Walmart on Dec 24 which is a fun experience, and bought the cheapest phone, I thot it cost $10.00, but I was only charged $6.00.

got it home, tried it directly into my modem,it worked. yay!

tried it with the answering machine between phone and modem, didn't work.

switched some wires around, and it worked as it should with answering machine and modem.

and then guess what?
Tried old (dead ) phone with new wires, and it works.
lol.
so i am pleased with myself.
I don't understand why the old phone did not work on the working jack I plugged it into but, I have got at least one working phone.

Ah... the sweet sound of the dial tone...

thank you to all who gave advice; it's comforting to know there are strangers willing to be helpful. often just commiserating is helpful, makes one know they are not alone.

so thanks!
enjoy the holiday.
I am now going to call everybody I know.

[pinboy3niner]

69. Congratulations! Oh, wait. I think you have a call coming in...

"One ringy-dingy...two ringy-dingies...Hello? Is this the person to whom I am speaking?"

[SoCalDem]

65. My husband loves his Jitterbug..super cheap

$14.95 (Or close to that) a month..I think I paid $20 on ebay and small fee to activate it..

https://www.jitterbugdirect.com/plans.aspx

[razorman]

68. "Jitterbug"! That was the phone I was trying to think of

in my earlier post. Simple; big buttons; designed for seniors to use, but suitable for anyone who just wants the basics without extra cost. Perfect for those of us who don't really like people and do not enjoy conversing, but find it necessary once in a while.

[madinmaryland]

70. Do you have estate sales in your area. We went to quite a few over the summer

and I was always always amazed by the collection of landline phones that people have. Normally you can get them for a couple of bucks.

[PufPuf23]

71. Highly recommend: Lenoxx Sound 13 Memory Speakerphone Model PH-319 large buttons Off-White

used from ebay used for $11.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenoxx-Sound-13-Memory-Speakerphone-Model-PH-319-large-buttons-Off-White-/252217106165?hash=item3ab94f9ef5

I have had this exact phone for at least 20 and probably closer to 25 years. Works great.

I see there is a model 319 at Amazon Prime for $49.99. Not sure how they differ as look the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Lenoxx-Sound-Memory-Speakerphone-Model/dp/B00JWUA0LS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1451071164&sr=8-5&keywords=Lenoxx+Sound

Until this thread I had no idea of the make nor model and that it was manufactured in China.

I grew up and returned to live here in 2003 where there is no cell access and only land lines. Installed in 1972, the phone system, now Verizon, is truly local in that there is a microwave repeater at about 4800 ft elevation on a mountain above the tiny town that goes to a cinderblock building at 425 ft topped by an early satellite dish that connects to a landline system with maybe 500 connections. The only 2X times I know it to fail was back in the 70s when a crazy person attacked the site in the valley with a 966 logging loader (for kicks?) and in 2006 when the repeater on the mountain was burned in a forest fire. The system is very robust but the landline system still does not have "modern" features. The phone works when there is no electricity which goes out more frequently as the PG&E lines stop about 10 miles northeast (then a 30 mile gap to Pacific Power and Light, there are areas still of the grid) and the terrain is extremely mountainous and heavily forested.

Right now there is no electricity (went off 12:30 AM) but the phone is perfectly fine (and I have a propane generator).

Some people use their cells after registering at wifis at the local Tribal Offices and at a environmental oriented non-profit. Others now have satellite based phones. There is a satellite internet that went online Fall 2015 but I am on my own satelite dish for internet.