Does Anyone Use Voice Mail Anymore?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Voice Mail

I got to thinking yesterday the ineffectiveness of one of our phone tools, with the question,

Does Anyone Use Voice Mail Anymore?

You know, the modern day equivalent of the old answering machine tied to phone. Now with cell phones, you set up a voice mail "box" to hold your messages, but is anyone retrieving them? Millennials don't ever want to pick up a call except from personal friends, NEVER seem to have time to listen to a "box" and just say TEXT me. REALTORS have "voice mail box full" recordings to drive you crazy. NOW instead of LOVING incoming calls with the advent of the phone ringing, 9 of 10 calls are robocalls. Is it any wonder people prefer text or email?

SMS messaging or social media of some form??

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. PEOPLE ARE NOT even listening. The sound of DEAF EARS seems enormous these days, and I go back to try try again to reach somebody. Maybe it is bad manners, too busy, lack of respect, time crunch, information overload, sifting through what is important to you in life, but it seems voice mail has fallen to the bottom of the totem pole. Having a secretary handing you message notes that BOB CALLED when you were out to lunch almost seems quaint these days BUT IT WAS EFFECTIVE. So do YOU IGNORE VOICE MAIL yourself nowadays? I think your million dollar order could be awaiting there in your BOX!!! Or on the other hand the alumni association wanting your money or the latest political call wanting your support. Hahaha, or is it the scam Microsoft tech wanting to take over your computer for a few minutes to FIX a virus? When you don't even own a Windows PC.

Comments (48)

Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

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!!

Dec 08, 2017 10:51 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

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 . . .

Dec 08, 2017 12:34 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

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

Dec 08, 2017 01:35 PM
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

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.

Dec 08, 2017 06:26 PM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

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!

Dec 09, 2017 05:31 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

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

Dec 09, 2017 05:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

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?

Dec 09, 2017 05:39 AM
Mary Jo Quay
H360homes.com - Minneapolis, MN
I Move You Home

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.

 

Dec 09, 2017 05:41 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

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!  

Dec 09, 2017 06:00 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

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.

Dec 09, 2017 06:03 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

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.

Dec 09, 2017 06:54 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

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.

Dec 09, 2017 08:21 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

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!

Dec 09, 2017 12:48 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

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. 

Dec 09, 2017 04:45 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

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

Dec 09, 2017 08:14 PM
Matthew O'Hare
Osterville, MA

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

Dec 10, 2017 09:29 AM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

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.

Dec 10, 2017 02:52 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

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.

Dec 12, 2017 04:06 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-755-2905

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. 

 

Dec 13, 2017 01:45 PM
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

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. :-)

Dec 19, 2017 06:52 PM