Customer Reviews

AT&T 1818 Telephone with Digital Answering System (Wind Chill White)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

The first 1818 I brought home seemed to "miss" messages when I tested it myself. Because I liked the audible number announce if you have caller ID (a feature not mentioned in the product info) I returned #1 and purchased #2. It seemed not to miss messages (who really knows?), but when I finally got around to recording my own OGM, it was scratchy, muffled and of low quality. In addition, the design of the receiver is such that it is sometimes tricky to hang up, which is very annoying. As I was perusing Amazon's selection of just answering machines, under reviews of AT&T answering machines, it was interesting to see the problem with the missed messages mentioned as well as the problem with the low quality outgoing message that I encountered.

So, I'm still in search of a corded telephone and answering machine w/caller ID. The only reason I would recommend this phone is the audible number announce, a great feature for someone who is sight impaired. It will also announce the number as it goes through the messages, another feature that might be appreciated by someone with vision problems. I believe that some of the AT&T answering machines also have that feature.

If you do decide to give this machine a try, KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

Just adding my voice to the others here. I've had much the same problems:

- As others have already noted, the sound quality of the recording is terrible. I often have to replay a message 4 or 5 times to understand it.

- Just a few months after I bought it, when I picked up the receiver to answer a call, I sometimes had to jiggle the switch hook to get it to answer. Then it started cutting people off right in the middle of a conversation. Now it's so bad that when you pick it up you can jiggle all you want and it doesn't answer at all. I've given up using this piece of junk as a phone - I just use it as an answering machine.

- Now the last straw is that I can't retrieve my messages remotely. I dial my number, it answers on the 2nd ring like it's supposed to, I key in my code, and it just sits there and does nothing, and then hangs up! I've gone through the setup several times, and I'm sure it's set up correctly. But I can't retrieve my messages!

Don't waste your money on this piece of junk! If anyone knows of a better machine... please post it here.

I purchased this unit and had to return it due to problems with
the sound quality when playing back messages. The machine has some
very nice features, but if the messages are not clear, then the
unit is not reliable. I may miss some important information. I
even left messages, I knew what I said, but during playback, some
words were muffled and difficult to understand. I was surprised
that ATT put on the box, "Excellent Sound Quality". Its not.

I'm not sure why there is so much bad press on this phone! I searched and searched for a corded phone with an answering machine that had an audible alert that wasn't too complicated to operate. This phone fits the bill! I hesitated purchasing this model as all the feedback was so negative. But it had all the features I was looking for so I decided to give it a try.

The features are great as well. The audio caller ID is really nice! And while it doesn't give you the name of the caller, it does let you set the machine to record the number of the caller with the message. It has on/offs for just about everything. And volume controls for handset, speakerphone, message playback. And not just one or two levels like most phones.

As for message quality, I suppose it could be better, but I've tried several digital machines and most all leave a little to be desired. The digital voice commands may have been a little difficult to understand the first time through, but if you follow in the book, it's a snap. The audio alert could be a little louder as well. Can't attest to the longevity as I just purchased. Everything works flawlessly at this point.

I bought this machine to replace my old cassette-based Panasonic that had finally died from incessant telemarketer calls.
The AT&T's set up was easy and all the features work, but the sound quality is unacceptably low. I hardly recognize my own voice on the recorded message, and callers sound as though they are speaking from under a blanket. Pity AT&T didn't consider improving the sound quality for a few dollars added to the price.

Same problems that others have noted:

The cord keeps coming out when you're talking. The reason is that the cord release tab sticks out too far and is easily bumped. A solution is to cut the tab shorter, but you shouldn't have to do that.

The voice quality on the answering machine is abysmal, both for the recorded message and the incoming calls. Often the message is unintelligible. I have two of these units and both are bad.

I am tossing these machines and getting something better.

I've had this unit for 5 months and have had no complaints. Its a good little basic machine that gives you your messages when you are away. The battery backup feature is great. This unit was one of the few machines that were working for me in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel.

Yes, the sound quality is not top notch; but who needs concert clarity on an answering machine? I guess if your friends mumble...

I also like being able to set the rings at a reasonable 5 or 6 before the answering machine kicks in--plenty of time to race to the phone if you are anywhere in the vicinity. Color me satisfied.

I bought this b/c it was on sale at best buy for US$thirty, And b/c i wanted 1) corded phone for the times I want a secure line, and 2) speaker phone for convenience when i get put on hold by customer service of [name of any company here]. I agree the answering machine sound could be better, but the worst part is that i can't turn down the volume of the tone sounds when i push the number keys. You can adjust the volume of the conversation, but not the beeps when you push the number pad. If i have the earpiece to my ear, the volume of the beeps is pain inducing. It sounds petty, but it is a real ergonomic flaw - almost a deal breaker for me. Also when going through your messages it is way too easy to delete the next message rather than the one you just listened to. For a desk speaker phone it should have a better place to label your speed dials; the included sticker just plain doesn't. Overall it is marginally serviceable phone but every use involves a little pain, and is in no way a pleasure to own. Unfortunately, i've had none of the breakdowns others have reported, so i can't justify throwing the dang thing out and getting a better one. Sadly, i've had it for about 2 years and it still seems to work fine.

The phone isn't too bad except that we have to hold the cord or it falls out in midsentence. We've tried different cords and we have the same problem. Plus even with the battery backup I have to reset the time and date a lot.

I guess it's a phone with a sense of humor--or it's very sensitive, one of the two. The features are nice, but something sticks when I lift the reciever, so it will keep ringing even though the reciever is up. In addition, I think something is wrong with the cord, because if you move slightly during conversations, it will cut out. Voice quality is kind of scratchy, too. Neat features, but if you want neat features to play with on your phone, get a cellphone and play with the endless pleathora of ring tones.