Is it just me, or does this annoy anyone else?

otto

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Originally Posted by LDG

I don't get it Mike. ???????????????


Actually, when it comes to work, I find VM extremely helpful. That way we can communicate (& be communicated with) even when we're busy with something else or on conference calls, and we don't actually have to have time "match up" to speak to someone in order to give them info they need, or get instructions, or figure out deadlines - or a million different things. When a big part of your job IS communicating, not "doing" something per se, VM is an incredible tool.
I LOVE my vet's voice mail! I can call and leave my questions on her voice mail, then she has a chance to formulate the answers and whatever else she has to say, before she calls me back. I don't have to worry about a receptionist or vet tech answering questions they should not be answering, nor do I have to sit on hold endlessly waiting for someone to find out if my vet is available to come to the phone. It's win-win!

As long as I'm on the subject, I love all voice mail. I hate talking on the phone, and in many cases, much prefer to leave my message, rather than speak to a real person. I'm not talking about automated voice systems, such as when you are calling customer service with an issue, understand. I mean instances where the exchange in communication does not need to be immediate.
 

bazkitty

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We have caller ID, so it depends on what kind of mood I'm in as to whether I answer the phone or not.

Along the same lines, I also hate it when someone calls my house and I do answer the phone and they say "Who is this?" That one really annoys me, too.
 

essayons89

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Originally Posted by otto

I never answer my phone. Ever. If you want to talk to me you have to talk to my machine first.
Or better yet, send me an e mail.


<edit> there is one exception: if my vet calls.
I'm pretty much the same way. I have a home phone line for the computer, but I don't have a phone plugged it. I give my cell number to people like the vet, friends and my doctors. I like my policy of don't call me, I'll call you.
 

catkiki

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This is the one that gets me at work...

After a rep transfers a call to me as a supervisor call...

Me: This is Meda, you requested a supervisor, how may I help you?

Them: I had a message on my phone, I want to know why you are calling me!

Me: Do you or anyone in your household have a student loan?

Them: No! I want you to stop calling me!

Me: What is the phone number we are calling?

Them: (They proceed to tell me our toll free number)

Me: No, not our number, what is your phone number so I could look up the account it is attached to.

Them: You just called me, don't you have it?

Me: No ma'am, you just called us, I need the number we called.

Them: Check your records! You have to know who you called!

Me: Ma'am, we make several hundred calls a day. We cannot pinpoint your number out of all of them.

Them: Check caller ID!

Me: We do not have caller ID

Them: Well I am not giving you my phone number!

Me: Then I can't remove your number.

Them: You better remove it or I am going to contact an attorney!

Me: I cannot remove it unless you tell me the number.

Them: Fine! it is ###-###-####

Me: Do you know...<name>

Them: That is my son/daughter/relative.

Me: Well, he/she needs to call us. It is very important.

Them: What is this about?

Me: I cannot release that due to privacy laws.

Them: Fine! I will have them call! <click>

They had just said they didn't know anyone with a student loan. Sometimes it is just a wrong number.
 

Winchester

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I got into the habit a long time ago of screening phone calls. If I'm busy, chances are I won't pick up the phone regardless of who it is. I'll let my answering machine take it and then call the person back later on.
 

mrblanche

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Originally Posted by LDG

I don't get it Mike. ???????????????


Actually, when it comes to work, I find VM extremely helpful. That way we can communicate (& be communicated with) even when we're busy with something else or on conference calls, and we don't actually have to have time "match up" to speak to someone in order to give them info they need, or get instructions, or figure out deadlines - or a million different things. When a big part of your job IS communicating, not "doing" something per se, VM is an incredible tool.
Sure it is. It's an incredible tool for ignoring those who want to communicate with you. It's the phone equivalent of refusing to wait on anyone who walks in your store that you don't like the looks of.

Yes, I have voicemail on my cell phone and home phone. But if I'm home, I answer the phone. If I can, I answer the cell phone.

Can you tell this is a sore point with me? My opinion is that if a business is too busy to answer their phone, they're too busy to give me good service. And I used to fire real estate agents who didn't return every call they received before the end of business.
 

misty8723

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Originally Posted by sk_pacer

Doesn't bother me a bit - if I don't recognise the phone number, I don't answer.
Same here. I love caller ID.

If I did answer and got put on hold, I would hang up.
 

rosiemac

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Originally Posted by krazy kat2

Phone rings. You answer it and there is a recording saying someone will be with you in a minute.
I hang up!. I never get calls like that at home because i'm on the list not to receive cold callers, but now and again it happens at work.

And if they ask who their speaking to i usually say "Who do you want!". 9-10 their telesales so they don't need my name, plus their never on long enough!
 

otto

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Sure it is. It's an incredible tool for ignoring those who want to communicate with you. It's the phone equivalent of refusing to wait on anyone who walks in your store that you don't like the looks of.

Yes, I have voicemail on my cell phone and home phone. But if I'm home, I answer the phone. If I can, I answer the cell phone.

Can you tell this is a sore point with me? My opinion is that if a business is too busy to answer their phone, they're too busy to give me good service. And I used to fire real estate agents who didn't return every call they received before the end of business.
But.....I didn't think were were talking about work or business, at least I wasn't. I was talking about home and personal life. I loathe talking on the phone and anyone who knows me well enough to need to call me, knows it.


In fact...it's not just loathing, it is a phobia.
 

adriana

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I just hang up. I don't have the time or the desire to deal with pointless calls like that. We have caller ID and I generally ignore calls from out of province numbers or 1-800 numbers.
 
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krazy kat2

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I get calls from the same ones over and over, so I answer them when I get my default ring tone. Then I have their number, and assign them all the same ring tone so I know not to answer it. I just got a new phone, so I have to go through all of them again since everything is my default tone until I assign them another one. I wish they would all call and get it over with! Then I will have one less aggravation in my life.
 

3catsn1dog

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I answer both my phone and bfs cell and tell them they have the wrong number. Even if it goes to voicemail they cant tell its who they are trying to reach because his has his nickname and mine just says "hey its me leave a message and I wont call you back"
 

vampcow

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I hang up when that happens but I do find it really annoying.
 
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