Used SIP Phones: Buyer Beware
Buying used or refurbished SIP IP-phones online can seem like an easy way to reduce the cost of a new hosted phone system. Many buyers assume that if they purchase the correct manufacturer and model, the phones can be connected to their new hosted service and begin working.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
Unlike many traditional PBX telephones, SIP IP-phones that were previously deployed on another hosted platform may contain customized firmware, provisioning settings, security certificates, or administrative restrictions that were installed by the original hosted service provider. These configurations can prevent the phones from operating on a different hosted platform without additional labor—or in some cases, prevent them from being reused at all.
The result can be unexpected costs that eliminate much of the savings buyers hoped to achieve.
Advanced Global Communications (AGC) has been designing, deploying, and supporting business telephone systems since 1995. We help businesses make informed equipment decisions, avoid unnecessary expenses, and select equipment that will provide reliable service on our hosted platform.
Our Recommendation
If you’re considering purchasing used SIP IP-phones from an online marketplace, don’t assume that buying the correct make and model guarantees compatibility with your hosted phone service.
Before making a purchase, consider the potential costs of evaluating, unlocking, reconfiguring, updating firmware, or replacing phones that cannot be easily deployed. What initially appears to be a bargain may ultimately cost more than purchasing equipment that has already been verified for your platform.
Proud Yealink Channel Partner
Yealink handsets are recognized worldwide for their industry-leading performance. Ranked among the world’s top five video conferencing providers (IDC, 2021) and the No. 1 global SIP phone provider by shipment market share (Frost & Sullivan, 2020), Yealink delivers proven quality and reliability.
