1) I am looking for a retractable network cord 3 - 6 feet that would
attach to a hotel room desk or wall and would allow the occupant to
simply pull out the cord and connect to their laptop.  It must be
designed to be attached to the desk or wall.

One manufacturer and contact info would be OK, two would be better.

2) I am also looking for a cheap retractable telephone cord 4 - 6 feet
that I can have branded with my company name.  I already know about
the Targus retractable cords but they are too expensive.  Two
manufacturers and contact info would be appreciated.

holstein13,

The following website for Branders has the Easy Wind Modem Cord
Retractor, item #  3183,imprintable with your company name. I called
and spoke to a very friendly woman named Denise who said she would be
happy to take your order...just call 877-272-6337, and ask for Denise!
I called Branders to verify that the cord did indeed come with the
retractors. For 100 items or less, the price, with one color print is
$3.02, with the unit price decreasing for larger orders.Branders has
the retractable network cables as well. Item # 2641. The only color
available seems to be blue, and it is 8 feet long. For RJ45 (LAN) or
DSL. This also can be "branded". The price for 25 items or less is 
$13.18 each, again, larger orders get a discount.I consider the prices
for both items as very reasonable, but you did not mention your price
limit. I am hoping these meet your price requirements.

You can see pictures and descriptions of both products by going to

www.branders.com

Enter the the item numbers in the search box labeled "Keywords" in the
left hand column. The item numbers are 3183 for the retractable
netword cable, and 2641 for the retractable phone cable.


e-promos has quite a selection,all on this one page, of both types of
retractable cords, imprintable with your company name, with reasonable
prices. Phone 800-LOGO-216

http://www.epromos.com/ProductIndex/BrowseCategory.jhtml?categoryId=1723



Cyberguys also has a nice retractable network cable, it is 8 feet
long, not 6, and they give this description "Tidy up your high-speed
LAN connections with the touch of a button! Pull out the retractable
cord, plug in the gold plated, low-profile RJ-45 connectors and hit
the button... all your slack cable winds instantly back into its own
compact case. No more cables to wind and tie."
Cyberguys does not brand them. Nonetheless, I am including it here:

http://cyberguys.com/ 
In the left hand column, click "network", then click "cables", then
click onto Page 10. (I tried entering "retractable network cable" in
their search box the first time and came right up with this product,
but a second testing of the search did not turn it up.....nor did a
second and third try)

holstein13, you mention that you want to "attach" the cord retractor
to the wall or desk. I can find no device that will attach in that
manner, especially in a hotel, and I am not clear about how this could
even be done. Of course, the RJ45 and RJ11 "plug" into the wall
outlets, but I could find no "attachable" items, other than a
permanent set up as would be used in an office or at home.

If this is not satisfactory, please let me know how you want to attach
the retractable cords to the wall or furniture and I will investigate
furthur.


crabcakes

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Request for Answer Clarification by holstein13-ga on 01 Aug 2002 13:58 PDT

I just spoke to Denise and I looked at the web site.  Denise mentioned
that she had a nice conversation with you.  I think this is a terrific
find.  You have definately answered the second part of this question
well.

On the first part, I am asking the question based upon a query from a
customer from my web site http://cableorganizer.com.  He needed this
because they are installing high speed Internet access into a hotel
and need a permanent cable in the wall and the hotel guest can simply
extend the cord and put it back when they are done.  He seemed to
think that the product does, in fact, exist.  Therefore, I would ask
you to stay on this.  If you can't find the actual product, please see
if you can find someone to manufacture it.

Thanks,

--Paul

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 01 Aug 2002 15:01 PDT

holstein13,

I have spoken with the one of the techs (Jim) at my local Graybar (a
HUGE supplier of telecommunication and electrical supplies)who tells
me that no one there has heard of an RJ45 wall mounted jack with a
retractable cord. They did confirm what I was thinking...that this
would not be very practical, as it would lend itself to vandalism. In
my own experience, people that travel with laptops bring their own
cords, and personally I would be afraid of vandalism.

I also checked 
www.blackbox.com
who also has an extensive cable/telecommunications supply inventory. I
found nothing even remotely similar.

I called Qwest, my local phone company and one of the techs there
(John) told me the best he could come up with would be to have a local
cable tech install a retractable cord INSIDE the wall box, extending
the other connection to the outside so that the customer would only
have access to the outside of the cable. Depending on the box, plate,
and cable, this may require some splicing. The connector for the
customer's use would be visible, and the end that goes into the wall
would be behind the plate covering the box. If both end connectors
were visible, the customer could easily walk away with the cord. (I
wish I could have recorded John's actual words so this would be easier
to explain)
In summary, the retractable cord in the first part of the answer,
could be rigged up so the connector would be INSIDE the box, denying
access to the connector by the customer. The rest of the cable would
extend OUT and could retract into the case, allowing the customer to
pull it out for use.

I am beginning to doubt if such a  wall mounted retractable RJ45 jack
does exist. Hope this has helped. If I can help furthur, please let me
know via another answer clarification. Thank you, crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 01 Aug 2002 15:05 PDT

One more thing, I forgot to include....At BlackBox, I did come across
a nifty wall plate that angles downward, to prevent cable damage.
Perhaps this would help with the installation of whatever does get
installed.

http://catalog.blackbox.com/BlackBox/Templates/blackbox/mainscreen.asp

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 02 Aug 2002 11:20 PDT

Even though you have rated the answer, I am still searching. I wanted
to touch base and let you know I have written to 2 "potential"
manufacturers of the wall mounted retractable cable outlet. Will post
when I hear.
Thanks, crabcakes

It's too bad you coudn't find the attachable Network cord or anyone
who could make such a device.  I appreciate the info on the
inexpensive retractable phone cord.  Good job and thanks for your
efforts.

I checked both Fry's Electronics and CompUSA for retractable network
cables.  I found a Targus Fry's and a Belkin at CompUSA.  Neither of
them specified whether they were wall mountable.  If you cannot fine a
wall mountable type, I suggest getting a local plastics manufaturer to
make clear plastic covers similar to those used for thermostats when
you don't want people changing the thermostat settings.  You could
have them put a hole on the side for the cable to slide through
freely.

Here are the two web sites:

http://www.compusa.com

http://shop3.outpost.com
(I know it doesn't say Fry's in the URL, but that's where Fry's online
store is)

OK, thanks for the clarification. You do want a permanent fixture.
I'll be looking and respond as soon as possible. Thank you.

I've stayed at hotels that offer connections and most often I've found
that they offer cords either in the closet or front desk.  Most often,
it's serviced by STSN ( http://www.stsn.com/index.html ).  The hotels
that offer the cords at the front desk often ask for a refundable
deposit.