Hello Direct

Full review
LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC PHONE

I was looking for a specific phone and was having trouble finding it. I searched and searched the brick and mortar stores without and luck then turned to trying to find it online. I found it right away at the Hello Direct Online Store

Normally, I wouldn't search and search for a specific phone but this is a GREAT phone! It has a privacy setting where it only callers that know your code can get through! I can't tell you how great that feature alone is and it has a lot more as well so when it came to needing a new phone, I knew EXACTLY which one I wanted. Only trouble was, I couldn't find it!

I actually located it in a round about away and with the help of Epinions. I put the name of the phone into the search box hoping to read a review stating where they bought it. The phone came up with the Hello Direct online store as a place to buy it. The phone itself wasn't listed but where I could buy it was! Odd, but it gave me the information I needed.

FINDING WHAT YOU NEED

Hello Direct is the leading telecom site on the net. I found their site both easy to navigate and user friendly.

The have two main sections ~ BUY IT NOW and GET INFORMED which are both located on the left hand side of the page and follow you as you shop throughout the site.

BUY IT NOW
Headsets
Audioconferencing
Videoconferencing
Corded & PBX Phones
Cordless Phones
Phone Systems
Telecom Accessories
Cellular & Mobile
Wireless
Recording Products
Special Needs/ADA
Special Offers

GET INFORMED
Customer Support
Product Reviews
Testimonials
User Guides
Industry News
Tutorials
Hello Hints
Glossary

Under the two sections there are different main categories and when you put your mouse pointer over one, subcategories appear. For example, if you point to Cellular & Mobile you will have four subcategory choices ~ cellular service/accessories ~ cellular headsets ~ 2-way radios ~ PDA & Mobile Accessories You can click on the main category or any of the sub categories and go directly to that area. Each of the main categories will also show a Featured Product.

There is also a handy, dandy search option.


MY EXPERIENCE

Since I already knew what I was looking for, I used the search option. I typed in CCI PrivateTIME Telephone and was then taken to a page with not only the phone I was looking for but 11 other "matching" results.

I clicked on the telephone/answering machine one which was the one I was looking for and was also the first choice listed.

I was shown a nice sized picture, an even nicer sized synopsis, a link to the product manual and a option to add it to my cart. I really like the way this is set up ~ it really helps make sure you are ordering what you need. there are a lot of online sites that offer such a limited amount of information on their products that this is a nice surprise!

When I added it to my cart I am taken to a page showing what is in my cart and given the option of Update, Continue Shopping or Proceed to checkout.

Once you have your items in the cart and are ready to check out, you are asked for your personal and billing information.

This is my ONE complaint about this site ~ you are not given your shipping cost until AFTER you have put in all your information. I prefer to know my final cost BEFORE I put in any information. You can call and get that information but I really think it should be listed on the site. Sometimes shipping cost can make or break a sale for me and I don't want to spend time placing an order and then have the time only be wasted!

Well, I DO call and find out the shipping cost is based on the weight. The amount for my phone would be $13.99. That is not too bad for a $89.99 phone when you factor in that no tax (ours is 8.6) is being charged. But since this is on weight up to around 5 lbs (her words), this same fee could be charged for a pair of headphones! In that case, the fee would be outrageous!

It is worth a note that they do ship Airborne Express and therefore most people will have their orders within two days of placing it. You can also track your package online.

I dealt with customer service two times and both times they were friendly and helpful!


WHAT I REALLY, REALLY LIKE

After my shipping cost rant I will now write about a couple of REALLY great things at HelloDirect.com.

The Product Reviews, Hello Hints, User Guides and Tutorials are ALL filled with A LOT of helpful information!

They answer A LOT of different questions at a lot of different levels, making them useful to everyone.

The Product Reviews and User Guides are indexed under 11 different subjects from cordless phones to Telecom accessories to Services

The Product Reviews are well written, informative and easy to understand. The User Guides are downloads of the actual user guides and/or instruction manuals! How handy is that?

In Hello Hints you will find 13 choices from What's the difference between analog and digital? to How do I add an extra phone line? There is also an email link in case your question isn't covered.

I like the Tutorials section a lot! It contains 44 in-depth articles ranging from Keeping in Touch while Abroad to Choosing a Wireless Plan to The Basics of Telephone Wiring. Most of these seem to be geared to novices but then again, isn't that who needs the information?


THIS AND THAT

** Hello Direct can be reached at 1-800-Hi-Hello

** You can sign up for their newswire by just putting in your email address

** Tax is added to orders shipped to a California address



~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ 2BUZY'S FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS SITE ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~

I WOULD RECOMMEND checking out the Hello Direct online Store if you are planning on buying or wanting some telecom information.

Their site is easy to use, their prices are in par with other online companies, their delivery is fast and their customer service is helpful. I would like to see them add their shipping fees though.

Product Reviews, Hello Hints, User Guides and Tutorials are all filled with helpful information. I like the fact that you can access so many different manuals and/or instruction booklets. That alone is worth bookmarking the site!

As always, I recommend checking a lot of different online sites before making a purchase so that you are well informed and get the best price!

I would also recommend that HelloDirect.com be a site you consider when buying and even more so, when you need information or have a lost manual!