I was somewhere around 1970 when the cordless phone was first introduced into the mainstream, and what a revelation that was to be able to slouch on the couch, any couch, and chit chat at the same time. However, like all new technology, this new communication tool was not without its drawbacks, and one of the biggest disadvantages to endure was with the batteries for cordless phone models. They just didn't last long enough!
The handsets were a lot bigger and a lot bulkier than they are today too, but that wasn't really an issue back then because we hadn't yet become obsessed with miniaturization. Although a battery in today's cordless phones can last for 24 hours or more with a single charge, forgetting to place the phone back on its mount after use can cause a few arguments in the family home that's for sure
But the biggest gripe with these wireless models is when the time comes to find batteries for cordless phone models that are a few years old. I've had 2 to date and both kept going well for a good 3 years before the batteries eventually packed up working. Now, I paid quite a lot for the last digital handsets and after 3 years they were as good as new and still looked modern, so I wasn't ready to replace them just because the cordless phone batteries were dead.
However, go back to the place of purchase and try to buy a replacement battery for your phone and see how you get on! "Sorry Sir, but we no longer stock accessories and replacement parts for that particular model". It's an all too familiar story! Why don't the manufactures be straight up from the outset and tell us, the consumers, that these phones are good for about 3 years under 'normal' use after which time they will not be supported. This is the second time I've had to throw away perfectly good phones because of the batteries.
Although I think the after sales service sucks with items of modern technology, including mobile phones, computers, and other such everyday devices, I guess we have to resign to the fact that we live in a throwaway society and just go with the flow. It does make me angry though to trash perfectly good equipment just because the parts and accessories are no longer stocked.
I will continue to use cordless phones despite it all, simply because they give us the privilege of talking over the phone while moving freely around the house or even outside or in the backyard. What this means is that everything does not have to stop just because someone calls you on the phone. In fact, wireless technology just keeps getting better and before long the blue tooth wireless ear pieces will be the norm, thus making the home handsets almost obsolete.
My wife has got her eye on the new Panasonic cordless phones so it looks like we'll be investing in the latest digital technology again. But despite the all singing all dancing functions and reliability of these latest breed of phones, I be my bottom dollar that the replacement batteries for cordless phone models will still be hard to come by after the model is a couple of years old.
Tip: If you think you will need new batteries before you're ready to trash your phone, then it might be a good idea to buy a spare or two at the time of purchase.
