Philips Cordless Phone with Answering Machine (SE6551B/37)

Comment: I've had this, with 3 extension phones, for about a year and a half. I would rather spend eternity with my ex-wife and her fat-ass mother than spend another day with these terrible phones.

Dial pad: poorly executed and difficult to use. What ever happened to buttons? Don;t people like buttons? There's a single, stiff, flexible rubber strip over the rows of numbers and features that's incredibly difficult to press with any speed at all - I may not be in a hurry, but I don't need something as stupid as a dial pad on a phone slowing me down - that's what kids are for.

Fragility: I mentioned 4 extension phones. Nah. Make that two. Two of them started to make a sound like stepping on a big fat sick frog when they rang, then they shut off with a click. Those are in the garbage.

Messaging: when listening to a message from the handset you have 3 menu layers to get through before you can delete the message. I don't know, but it seems to me that deleting messages is the most typical thing one might do after listening, and if you don't have your menu ready you have to start over again. Dumb.

Want the upside? They're nice looking, and after all this time they've kept their looks. Even the ones that died. Batteries seem to last a decent amount of time, too, and I love the idea they use typical 600mah rechargables. Very smart, that, except it's not helpful for, you know, the ones that died. I never had any complaints about the sound from them; they seem quite clear and loud enough. Except the ones that died, of course.

Beauty and beast in a single package - the good is so far outweighed by the bad I can't give but one star, and cannot recommend. Crap-ola.

Comment: The first phone was defective, so it had to be returned.
The phone is not as expected; sound quality is not good.
AND, I ended up paying for the return postage and insurance which amounted to $12.95; WHY DOESN'T AMAZON OR SOMEONE CONNECTED TO THIS RESPOND????

Comment: Don't waste your time. You'll end up sending them back. Cheap quality. Tin/whistle feedback when you're speaking. Inaudible OGM when you dial in from an external line. They feel hollow inside. Number pad is a great size, but for some reason dialing is difficult; numbers don't register with ease. And finally it makes a noise for everything, even when placing the handset back in the cradle (there is a 3-chime chirp you're forced to listen to). If you want a phone system that feels like you paid $1.50 for, get this system. If you want a durable system with great ease of use, unsurpassed clarity, and sterling quality, buy something else. Anything else would be better.

Comment: When I first saw this phone, I read some reviews and then bought it immediately. I love the way it looks, and I thought it was a fair price, because Philips is known for their good quality.

But when I got it, the menu was so difficult to figure out. In addition, there was a lot of static on the phone. I have DSL, and I realized I didn't plug in my phone filter, but even after I hooked up the filter to the connection, there was an echo (albeit less static).

All in all, I don't suggest you buy this phone. Look around some more. :)

Comment: This is the only cordless phone available in the market to-date that comes with an answering machine. It is almost impossible to get this type of phone in stores as most cordless phone now only comes with a digital answering service where you have to pay an additional fee. So, I am glad I got two of these as even this model is phasing out. It is easy to program, convenient and simple to use plus it has a speakerphone too and caller ID. Good deal and a great phone with a slick slender design.