FAQ

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us sales@epictelecom.com or call us during the hours 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday at (813)907-3734.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why choose Epic Teleconsulting Inc. (ETI) over my current provider? Congratulations if you are satisfied with your current provider or consultant. Overall customer satisfaction has improved for the industry. It is always more profitable to keep a customer than it is to lose and find another. But, it is always a good idea to shop around once in a while, it makes sense to do it in your personal business so why wouldn’t you practice the same smart principle with your business decisions. The answer to the question is because ETI will provide ‘affordably priced quality services’ for your firm. For example, with ETI you can get an extension added to your key System for as little as $75.00*, or less if it is prewired. Plus you can get same or next day service**. Your satisfaction and success are the keys to our success. Call us and see for yourself. We can gladly provide you with satisfied customer references!

(*Assumes CPE phone, labor & hrdwre. included. Does not include taxes.) (**Depending on availability.)

2. What are the advantages to working with ETI? The advantages are personal touch and contact with your account executive, our goal is to become your ‘right hand’ when it comes to your IT decisions. We will come and meet you personally if your company resides in the Central Florida region. When was the last time you saw your big company service provider? We also offer low hourly rates when compared to the minimum charges and hourly rates you may currently experience. Another plus is to take advantage of the low prices for IT equipment that is available in the ‘secondary market’. The reliability of todays recognized name brands of equipment is outstanding. For example, we have seen Norstar™ phones last up to twelve years with daily use. The hard drives in many voice mail products are ten times more reliable and last longer in the application. The point is why not purchase your product at a substantial discount from a reliable source that will offer the same warranty that a big company distributor offers. Our small size allows us to respond a little quicker, from pricing an item to answering a question. We offer services that make good business sense to investigate. See our Services page. We strive to answer every call with a friendly voice. We are striving to minimize the inconvenience of leaving us a voice mail message.

3. What are the disadvantages to working with ETI? Disadvantages are the obvious ones. We are not 7x24x365, but we are working towards that goal. We are financially stable and plan to be around for a long time. You may not be able to place an order on-line yet but we will soon add that to our web site for basic equipment ordering. There are plans to process Visa™ & MasterCard™ transactions through both the secure web site area and as payment for services. That is scheduled for the Fall/Winter of 2002. Our current terms for transactions will vary from due upon receipt to net 15. Another disadvantage may be that not every item you may be trying to price will be available via the ‘secondary market’. Prices may fluctuate also, depending on availability etc., but you will always save money versus the end-user price you get from an authorized distributor. With so many organizations to chose from, we are not yet members of any nationally recognized association for dealers or consultants. We hope to become one by the Fall of 2002. Our primary policy is to conduct all business in an ethical and legal manner with all rights reserved by each party. We recognize and were founded with the importance of that concept in mind.

4. What is the ‘secondary or gray market’? The secondary market is consists of hundred if not thousands of equipment brokers, dealers and consultants that via various sources recycles the equipment back to the end-user or another broker. Most of these firms are reputable and have long history in the marketplace. A reputable dealer usually belongs to an industry organization such as National Association of Telecom Dealers (NATD). Those equipment sources could be leasing companies, excess inventory from the manufacturer that has been dumped, international sources, auctions, etc. It can even come into the market through an authorized distributor trying to generate sales! The point is that it exists and you should take advantage of it to meet your firms strategic goals. It always amazed us that while working for authorized distributors, we were constantly losing bids for systems and services because of consultants and other firms recommending identical systems at substantial discount versus the distributor. Another much hyped area of concern for the end-user is that ‘secondary market’ equipment is substandard and lacks the manufacturers seal of approval. This may be true but to a lesser degree than is portrayed. Almost all equipment is tested, refurbished and warranted. In many cases you can get a warranty that is longer than the factory warranty. We estimate that this may only happen about 1% of the time. Besides, you can avoid that minor problem by hiring ETI as your telecom and data consultant. We recommend when dealing with the free market it is always wise for the buyer to be educated and aware before making a critical purchase. We will only recommend the right solution for your firm, even if it means that we have to advise you to use another provider or source for your solution.

5. What is the difference between new and unused, refurbished and used equipment? - Unused is another name for new. The equipment could be excess and unused then sold to through the secondary market. Or it could be new and has been funneled into the secondary market via import or auction. To qualify as new usually requires a recent manufactured date, factory accessories, and corresponding barcode labeling on product and package. Refurbished equipment has somehow been touched, cleaned and tested and repackaged with replacement accessories that may not be original. Used equipment is exactly that description. It was in use, pulled from service and recycled to the secondary market for redistribution. Typically, it will have older manufactured dates and warranty stickers from the resale vendor. It rarely is contained in original factory packaging. It is our experience that your firm can benefit from the attractive prices and reliability of any secondary market equipment offered through reputable channels like ETI.

6. Is ETI licensed, insured and bonded? We are a registered S-corporation in the State of Florida and possess occupational license in the county where we conduct our primary business. We have $2,000,000.00 in aggregate general liability and can provide you with proof of liability insurance upon your request or requirement. We possess a tax exemption certificate and a copy is made available to all of our vendors with whom we have accounts. Bonding is available to our corporation and we may exercise that requirement depending on various business related factors.

7. Where are your offices? - We are currently located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. It is north of Tampa in Pasco County at SR-54 and I-75. We are 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport, 25 minutes from Downtown Tampa or Brandon and 50 minutes from St. Petersburg.

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