Does Anyone Use Voice Mail Anymore?

Gary it happens all the time. I leave a voice mail and they call me back but never listened to my message. Then I have to go over it all over again!  I had to laugh about the paper messages reminder. We used to get those all the time - and making those calls was very important!!

Not only do I pretty much ignore voice mail but I also have blocked voice mail calls I ignore. I'm much too busy actually answering my phone to listen to v/m. Besides, with "recent calls" you can tell who called you. It's faster to call them back. People tend to ramble on v/m, too, so annoying. I don't like leaving a v/m myself because it takes too long to wait for the beep . . .

I listen to and leave voice mails. But texting is far easier these days when it comes to family communication.

My pet peeve is when I leave a detailed message for someone only to have them call me 5 or more minutes later and they start the conversation off with "I just missed your call, how can I help you?" or similar and I have to repeat all that I stated in the message they couldn't be bothered to listen to.  That's really annoying but it happens way too often.

Gary Woltal "The world HAS changed. I still LISTEN to voice mail, and respond if appropriate but MY sending voice mails when there is NO PICK UP, I think REALLY is falling on deaf ears."

Right on target - and - re-blog!

  Sometimes I wonder how often anyone listens to it...backed up by text and email...sigh.

I listen to voice mail. I leave voice mail. I get plenty of junk mail texts these days as well. For me that's not an excuse not to listen. You can hit a delete button really quickly. And with that thought process, what will people do.. stop looking at their texts because there is too much junk?

I'm finding myself using the phone as a phone less lately.  Even email is less functional.  I find it irritating that business professionals have a full mailbox. It doesn't tell me that they are busy, it tells me that clients are not a priority. Even worse, the professionals who voice mail message is "I'll call you back between 11AM-11:15AM or blah blah blah" means that they have no idea that clients hang up on people they can't reach.  Text seems to cut through quicker, and I love transcriptions so I can actually tell who called.

Hello Gary,

This is a great subject.  I leave voice mail messages and I listen to voice mail messages.  I wish that the folks that don't listen would save me some time and either fill their boxes to capacity or better yet, have an outgoing message that states that they will not listen and to text instead. The biggest pet peeve is when I am leaving a message and I get the "did you call me" call and now I have to start over.  UGH!  

Good morning Gary Woltal ,

I was so glad Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers re-blogged this post of yours! Interesting reading through the comments. My private number at the office is usually answered by my assistant during the week from 9-5Pm but after hours and on the weekend the voice mail is transcribed and emailed to me. It works for me as I get it immediately. I do read or listen to voice messages if left on my phone. I'm seeing more clients use text more and more rather than voice messages on my cell.

When my wife wants to get hold of our very grown up son (LOL), she calls andleaves messages, and I am telling her to text, as he is very unlikely ever to listen to these messages.

I think it takes a tool kit full of tools to reach people.

Everyone has their preferences, only we don't always know which it is.

I leave a voice mail if it is important. I listen to voice mails to determine if it is important to respond to.

I email important information and then text to tell them I emailed.

Business is important and I want to make sure the bases are covered.

I listen to voice mails, and sometimes I do leave a voice mail.  A pet peeve I have is --I leave a voice mail for someone and they return the call--but don't listen to the vm! Often it's just a question or request for a bit of info--they could have answered via the return call!

When the phone rings,  i answer it. If i am tied up, i listen to my message. You are right about a section of the population who do not answer the phone, leave or listen to phone messages. In real estate, it is easier to call and go over things that need attention right away. Text is too short. I love email, it allows me to write detailed things i can not say in a super long voice mail that may not get listened, however some dont read emails. I like to tell my clients what to expect and what is expected when they hire. 

Hi Gary

This is certainly a relevant topic for this day and age! I sometimes wonder WHY some people (and not just in our business) have voice mail since they never respond to it. But many others are good about it. I do check mine but I find most communication (since I answer my phone unless tied up) is via text and email.

Jeff

Those of us that use internet based voicemail that dictates out messages still use voicemail. I consider it more professional and personal.

I always listen to voicemails and respond when appropriate. I hate when I call another agent and the mailbox is full. Really? How many of those messages were from clients or potential clients? To avoid all the junk calls, download the “Whoscall” app. It definitely eliminates a lot of unwanted calls and subsequent voicemails.

If I call someone these days and do not get an answer, I usually just send a text. Then of course I get an almost immediate response from the person who did not answer the phone 2 seconds earlier.

I still have voicemail and use it regularly and don't have people who have a problem with it, thank goodness. Because of our remote location, there is a lot in our community that we "put up with", or do without! No cell service, hardly, for one. Can be a positive, for sure! Keep life simpler. 

I don't think some people realize that voice mail is still an effective tool. It doesn't always require a response and can be used to literally convey information.

Sadly, communications have really suffered due to modern technology. Now people expect a call back because they called and assume you saw their number on your caller ID (which is odd to me). Call me old school, but if you want me to call you back, leave me a message. :-)