Home > Consumer Reviews > NORTHWESTERN BELL Easy Touch 27600 Corded Phone and Answering Machine

I bought mine used for a couple of dollars at a rummage sale last fall, and it didn't take long for me to learn the reason behind what seemed like an unbelievable discount: This phone is the only one I've ever had that freezes up (like a computer). When I say "freezes up," I mean that, for example, when reviewing recorded messages, the answering machine will freeze up and I have to unplug and re-plug the AC adapter to un-freeze it. Or when the phone rings, the caller ID will freeze up, and the result is that the phone keeps ringing and ringing and the answering machine doesn't answer. I was willing to make do with unplugging and replugging the power for so long, but enough is enough. At least I'm not the poor soul who shelled out $50 or so on this crash-prone phone when it was new.

We really liked it at first, although the sound quality was never really good on the outgoing message or on the recorded messages. But we've only had it for a year now, and have to look at replacing at least the answering machine part. The recorded messages just started sounding quieter and quieter and now they are sometimes not audible at all. Ah, well, just after we bought it those audible caller id phones came out and I was kicking myself that we didn't have one of those, so here's my chance! :-)

This device is cumbersome and not easy to use. And if the power is out, basic phone functions do not work even though it's a corded phone.

You cannot set the volume control while listening to a message, it looses it's settings if there is a power glitch, even a small one. Very slow to respond to key functions.

I'll be purchasing another device or going to Verizon for vmail service. (God help me!)

This device is cumbersome and not easy to use. And if the power is out, basic phone functions do not work even though it's a corded phone.

You cannot set the volume control while listening to a message, it looses it's settings if there is a power glitch, even a small one. Very slow to respond to key functions.

I'll be purchasing another device or going to Verizon for vmail service. (God help me!)