[comp.dcom.telecom] One Way of Answering to Annoying Answering Machine Messages

cruz@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (Alex Cruz) (10/09/90)

Many stories have been told on the subject of answering machine
messages.  I don't have one.

On the other hand, I can tell you what I do when I call for the nth
time the same person, namely the same machine and I get the usual
boring "Hello ... Hello ... guess I'm not here..." and "Hello? ...
Hold on let me turn down my stereo..." messages:

I simply start talking way before the beep and I modify my message
just a little bit; something like this:

MACHINE: "...so leave your name, number and a brief message and I will
get back with you as soon as I can" BEEEP

ME: "...and that's why I decided to call you; I'm sorry about the news
and don't hesitate to call me next week to that number. Thanks a lot."
CLICK.

One friend of mine confessed recently that he returned his brand new
Panasonic and got another one after I did it to him a couple of years
ago.


Alex Cruz
Consultant - American Airlines Decision Technologies - Dallas, TX
Associate - Center for Advanced Study in Telecommunications - Columbus, OH