11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
BUYER BEWARE - SERIOUS PROBLEMS
Date of Review: May 29, 2007
The Bottom Line: Out of a total of 6 handsets I received -- FIVE had the same major defect which made them unuseable. Until Uniden honestly addresses this quality control issue, DON'T BUY
I have been a VERY happy Uniden user for the last six years. Recently I decided to upgrade my system to the UNIDEN TRU-9488 model. This model comes essentially as a corded phone base w/ digital ans. machine plus one cordless handset (a TCX905) with the ability to add more cordless handsets. I decided to simultaneously order 2 extra cordless handsets (TCX905) to go with my new Uniden model... In short, I received a total of 3 TCX905 handsets...
I charged all 3 handsets for 24 hours. Registered the 2 additionals to my base. And began to use them... I loved the features and the ease of use of the system... However, within a few days TWO out of the THREE cordless handsets had developed a very strange problem. While talking to someone, suddenly the earpiece volume would mute, making it nearly impossible to hear the voice. At first I found myself having to ask "Hello? Hello?" but it soon became clear the problem was coming from my handset... A sharp slap to the back of the handset would correct the problem, volue would restore to its normal level... but only temporarily, and after some period of time (anywhere from 5 seconds to 2 minutes) it would happen again... the volume of the incoming voice would seem to literally disappear...
Hoping I had simply had a run of bad luck in ending up with 2 lemons out of 3 handsets, I contacted UNIDEN support, who after having me attempt a reset. etc. offered to replace the 2 defective handsets. I sent the 2 dodgey ones back to them and received THREE replacement handsets from Uniden (which I thought was very generous on their part...)
Imagine my total shock when all 3 of these NEW replacement handsets showed exactly THE SAME PROBLEM as the old ones?!!! Literally, fresh off the charger, mid conversation, and earpiece volume would disappear... light slap on the back of the handset, volume would return! By this point, it seemed pretty clear even to my layman's mind that Uniden had some kind of manufacturing qualiy issue where a connection was somehow loose -- which would explain how the volume would suddenly disappear, and how a light slap could restore it temporarily...
I contacted UNIDEN again... Explained the whole saga... The email responses this time from them were less forthcoming... One suggested I again "reboot" the phones (to no effect)... Another said she would speak to her manager and get back to me... but nobody seemed willing to adds why 5 out of 6 handsets would have the EXACT SAME DEFECT!!!! And anyway, it's been a week since our last email exchange and nothing further from Uniden.
Believe me, I am the furthest person to write negative or picky reviews... this is a total first for me... In fact, even now I am torn -- I STILL LOVE the new Uniden base -- it has awesome features as described in other reviews and all I want is for 2 more cordless handsets that work!!!
But I've also come to realize there is no chance of that until and unless Uniden at least admits to this handset volume problem as not being isolated... Till then, my advice is a strong:
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!
