Weird Issues with T7208s

[malice97]

Hi,
Was wondering if anyone could help me.

Objective:

I know the M-series phones are out of production, but I know you can also find them refurbished. To those with experience, do you find the M-series were more durable than the T-series (in relation to the 7208s)?

Here is why I ask:

I have a customer (retail store) and I have replaced a few T7208's (for various reasons), sometimes just handsets that go dead or the phones are just not producing voice to the handset, keypads stuck and also those damaged from physical abuse. However, the customer has only had the system and phones for about 1 year.

BTW, we use the same supplier of phone equipment all the time, and my replacement rate at other customers doesn't match or come close, then again I don't have any others with the same enivornment.

An example of our current problem:

They have 2 extensions on the same floor (ICM 31 & 32).
If I voice call from 31 to 32 or vica versa, the phone's external speaker volume is extremely low (and CANNOT be adjusted via the buttons) and also the volume will raise to a maximum by itself during voice call and then drop back down low. If I lift the handset druing the voice call, I can adjust the volume fine. The problem also happens if I voice call from any other phone to the 31 or 32. If I voice call from 31 or 32 to any other extension, the volume is fine at that extension and I can adjust it.
So I figure the problem is with ICM 31 & 32's external speakers.

However, the weird thing is, they have music playing through the phone speakers at all times and this is fine and can be adjusted at 31 & 32.

So the problem lies on the voice call function ??

Today I replaced 31 & 32 with new phones and the problem was solved. But I mean how can I explain this to my customer. Why are these T7208's giving such troubles. I can blame it on the high use and the environment but then what solution can I give him. Maybee M-series phones?

Customer History:

In the past I was advised to perform a STARTUP and re-program the system. Extensions would go offline and just flash and he would always have to switch around phones to get them back online. He wasn't able to just unplug and replug the same phone at the same extension.

After the startup, the problem quieted down but apparently he says it still happens sometimes.

Maybee it is the system? or the wiring?


It was a little confusing to write this, So if anyone has specific questions, please don't hesitate.
Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
Nick.

 

[Duzzy]

I have also seen wierd thing with the new T-series sets. I had a cx who had a Prime and DID's, the main # ringing the console (T-7316e). She would answer a call, tranfer it, and it would still flash on one of the multiple appearances of the target line....after the call was terminated to the transferee. I used MTT Logger and sent the files to Nortel (twice for 2 separate cx's on T-series phones) and they found nothing. There are most certainly issues with the T-series phones!

 

[TRONIC1]

I have seen more out of box defects with the T series than the M. With those two extensions I would say that the handsfree mic's or circuits are shot. Just wondering which switch and level of software are you running? As for randomly resetting, are there any sources of EMI in the immediate area of the switch, I have seen this cause some odd and intermittant problems. Just a few thoughts.

"Hope for the best, plan for the worst

 

[lakehouse]

Retail clerks and managers are hard on phones, especially handsets. Some associates have respect for the store's equipment they use, some do not. I would bet the repair rate for that customer's other computer equipment is higher than norm, not just their phones.

Handset replacement is to be expected with wall mounted phones in departments and aisles as handsets are notorious for hitting the floor. About 75% of the calls are handset and/or coiled cord replacement for "dead", "hard to hear", and "cant be heard" conditions. After multiple impacts with the floor, they look like someone hammered a few nails with it. Shorter cords might help but stretched handset cord problems will occur more frequently.

 

[deelee74]

The T series phones seem to be of much lower quality than the M series phones.
This makes sense because it is obvious that the move to the T-series phones was nortel's way of saving tons of money.

They no longer have to manufacture button caps in 3 different languages. Since they cut costs this way, I wouldn't doubt it if they cut costs by making lower quality phones.

I know that I have probably replaced as many T-series phones in the past 2 years as I replaced M-series phones in the previous 7.

 

[Phonehed]

This topic has come up a number of times here in the recent past and we always seem to come to the same conclusions.

Personally, I'll take them old Canadian made M series sets over T series any day of the week!

I never used to get so many obfs' or consumer complaints but I'm sure Nortel saved a fortune by exporting all of those Canadian manufacturing jobs to Mexico.

It's becoming a real problem too as customers tend to loose faith in their vendors when they continue to recommend sub-standard merchandise.

I've still got over a dozen, 10 and 15 year old M-series sets at my house and they're still holding up very well, even though they are occasionally subject to some fairly serious abuse. I wouldn't even think of swapping them for T series sets.

I once had a customer tell me that she spilled Coca Cola all over her M-7310 set (enough to make it crash and die) and then she took it over to the sink, rinsed it off thoroughly with warm water and then let it sun dry for a few days. She plugged it back in and of course it came right back up.

I've seen M-series phones hit the floor, get smashed against the wall, even broken into pieces and STILL work just fine!

Nortel made a critical mistake when they decided to sacrifice quality, dependability and the confidence we all had in their good name, in favor of a fatter profit margin.

I never thought I'd say it but if there was a better or more dependable hybrid system out there right now for the same money, I'd probably give some serious consideration to migrating my entire customer base away from Nortel at this point just because of their plummeting quality issues.

...and don't even get me started on BCM!

Phonehed in Dallas