[RANDY P]

ATT Merlin is dirt cheap to find around town. However implementing it is a PITA -

It's an old analog system, and it has a propietary jack connection for each unit, so each phone has to have a unique lug system installed on the wall for it to connect to.

Also, the phones, and boxes are cheap. What kills you is the voicemail system. Merlin voicemail, not only is it very limited in space, but extremely expensive to obtain - typically $1k for one of those to add on, and it doesn't have any useful features like modern phones, like forwarding, automated attendant ("THANK YOU FOR CALLING BLA BLA BLA. TO REACH CUSTOMER SERVICE, PRESS 1")

So, you have basically a scenario that to obtain a Merlin is easy, but installation into a place that is non -- merlin requires a full rewire of the building and installation of these funky phone jacks. Chances are it'll have NO voicemail. If you want VM it will cost you a bundle Also, if it's an 820 they are notorious for burning out. It also doesn't support any VOIP so you're stuck with standard phone service, which can mean killer long distance bills.

So, after the (much higher) labor to install propietary wiring to support the Merlin, you're still stuck with high acquisition costs of a VM system, maximum of 10 phone terminals, and 4 phone lines. You're better off finding a decent deal on a used digital box with a modern VM system - that can operate with standard phone jacks. It will cost you a LOT less to install, offer better features and depending on what you buy, may offer expansion for VOIP so you'd save a bundle on long distance.

The only way I'd consder a Merlin, is if you get the system for virtually nothing, have no requirements for VM and do extensive local calling, otherwise like I said, consider a modern system. It would be good for telemarketers in a sweatshop as long as you had the LD figured out for instance.

We scored a NEC Aspire system USED with 7 phones for cheap with a huge (unsure which card) VM card. It supports 16 phones, has capabilites for like 8 phone lines including 2 outgoing dedicated to fax use, and 2 more lines for VOIP. Also have built in auto attendant so I can have custom greetings, and dial - by - extension choices. It's a digital system so we can wire two phones to each pair of wires going to each station, so it's much easier to install and implement into an existing phone network - uses standard architecture. It rocks.

I have my merlin 410 we ripped out of my shop with like 7 phones, if you want it, PM me and I'll give you a killer deal. It's sitting in our kitchen right now.

rjp