Review on AT BL102 4 4 Handset Answering Unsurpassed by Robin Haynes

I bought this for what looked like a pretty cool and aggressive call blocker and big screen. I've always bought Panasonic, but this phone was much more "advanced". I just set it up and I really don't like how complicated it is. All the phones I've owned for decades are set up intuitively, and I've put my difficulties down to maybe just not being used to the brand. I spent 45 minutes scrolling by pressing buttons, couldn't find an easy 'delete' or 'space' to enter numbers, and then the phone has to save the stuff, I have to type it again and delete it . I haven't used the manual, I've never had a problem setting up the phone, and if you lose the manual, good luck setting it up or trying to do "something". I liked the smart call barring which instructs callers to screen calls and say their name and then press the pound key to call back. The manual clearly states that this can block the calls you want, so it's not used. Which isn't helpful. Doctors and others are now calling from personal cell phones, and many are working from home rather than using company phones with caller ID. So blocking everyone except those in your phone book (another option) is also impractical. If you choose to do this, you cannot import or select the numbers you have added to your catalog - you must enter each name and number in your "Permissions List" one at a time. Many in my directory still have 'unavailable' above the number, which is useless unless you have a caller id that tells who is calling so you can pick up the phone or put it on voicemail. Multiple options you can tweak such as B. granting access to everyone in your directory, did not work. I also checked for extra batteries just in case and after putting the phone's name I couldn't find any listed. I think you'll have to look at 300 batteries for sale to find compatible ones, but ATT should make it easy. While the screen is large, my smaller had thicker text and I find this reading spidery and not too easy to read. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I find it too complicated, the voice-activated setup instructions pretty much advise reading the manual, and unfortunately it has shrill, annoying ringtones. The voice announcer is really weird and pronounces the words slowly and with a strange intonation. Wouldn't buy it again and return if I didn't need a phone right this second. Too complicated even for simple things. UPDATE: I've been trying my best to get used to and persevere with this phone. After months and re-reading everything, multiple resets and endless tweaks, this phone has become a nightmare. If I leave it on "Block all but people in my directory" everything is fine. but not practical. I had it on "block unknown calls" which then started giving me spam numbers calling but with no id. My best friend keeps calling as an 'unknown caller' even though she's in my permissions list and directory, but the speaking ID says her name. Many, many times I answer the phone and it goes to one, constant ringing, like an alarm clock. it's not responding and i can't turn it off! I have to take out the batteries. the person calling becomes dead. often someone calls and hears me, but I cannot hear them. I even called ATT who was confused by the same amount of instructions as I was. People in the directory appear as "unknown caller" despite permission. Jerky calls cannot be blocked because when you block a number you must also enter a name and you cannot specify "unavailable" or "out of range". Blocking isn't by name, but you can't just block a number, period. A lot of times the phone rings (when using the screener) and I pick up the phone so the phone screen prompts you to "press any number and then press" which should be the CALLER receiving, not me. When I do that they tell me on the phone it's an invalid phone number so my call can't be completed. Hm? A real caller will tell me that the phone rang forever and then stopped. My caller ID shows my caller number and as "unknown" I give up.