Buying a new telephone hardware system online is never an easy thing to do, and now that traditional lines and services are being replaced with VoIP, it can be even more confusing. The sheer amount of choice is daunting. No matter how tempting it is to just go with the easiest option, it could leave you with an expensive, lightly featured phone system. Here are eight key points that will help you decide what is important when you buy your new VoIP phone online:


1. Reliable vendor

This is the most essential thing every customer should keep in mind while you buy telephone online. You need to know what the online vendors are offering and whether they are authentic or not. It is advisable to buy from an OEM authorized vendor; this ensures that you will receive a genuine product with a full warranty.

2. Read Customer Reviews

Make it a habit rather than regretting later. Always look for customer reviews & feedback before any telephone online purchase. Do not just limit yourself to the customer reviews on the website, check out their facebook page, and any third-party reviews you can find online vendors. Pay attention to the comments, especially the complaints of the product, and whether they were resolved or not.

3. Check for Technical Support

Another important aspect to consider before you buy IP phone online; make sure the online vendors you have shortlisted have a support team. Not just before buying, you may need their support even after you have made the purchase. What happens when you have trouble installing and configuring the phone system? What happens if you do not receive calls? Or if all the calls are going straight to voicemail. You do not want to lose business because of a faulty IP phone system, right? So, make sure the online vendors offer technical support, you may need it.

4. Choose Right Product

Selecting the right VoIP phone system is a must. You must be salivating over the juicy benefits and fattening of your wallet that comes with installing an IP phone online. Even though your cravings are understandable and justified, you need to ensure that the product you are buying is the best choice for your business and is compatible with your existing hardware otherwise you will end up with a whole new system of that is useless for your type of business.

5. Payment / Refund Policy

The rules for payments, returns and refunds play a key role in the customer's decision. Telephone online purchase is a risky business because you do not get the chance to physically verify the purchase. So, it becomes essential that you are able to return the product if you do not like it, or if it has defected, and you are entitled to get a refund. Always read through the cancellation policy in case you end up ordering something and changed your mind. What will be the refund policy then? Check if your online vendors are going to charge you for refund or ask you to send the phone system back on your expenses.

6. Check Whether the Price is Right

It is difficult to estimate the costs while buying an IP phone online because the total cost of the whole system depends on various other factors like installation charges, the type of equipment you select, and the features you require. Get quotes or ask the online vendors the net price of the whole system, including freight, duty, and taxes. Sometimes the price of duties & freight is added at the time of checkout, that increases the net price. Check the final price twice before you rush into the decision of buying one.

7. Lowest Prices

Lowest prices do not always mean you got lucky; sometimes online vendors showcase refurbished stock and sell it as new. If it is too good to be true, don’t buy it. Also, compare prices from different websites and look for a great deal.

8. Corporate / Bulk Discounts

Chances are, you are not saving as much as you think you are. Online vendors will go out of their way to increase the actual sales prices and offer discounts and coupons when you buy IP phone online. Do not assume you are getting the best price, ask for corporate or bulk discounts. Many times online vendors offer discounts on bulk purchase, you just have to ask for it.


Ready to Checkout?

Not yet, here is something important you need to know. If you follow these tips and walk through each of these steps you are going to need the proper channels to select the best solution for your business. That is the whole point of this exercise, you need to go through the proper steps to make sure that you are selecting the right VoIP phone system. So folks, shop online with your eyes, nose and ears open.