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AIBU?

Grrrrr - get a bl**dy answering machine

19 replies

Thesunalwayshinesontv · 24/06/2013 17:25

For the love of all things telecommunicational, why on earth would someone with a phone not have an answering machine???

Is it just me, or is it just outright rude to expect someone to keep trying to get hold of you, when you could show some nous and decency (this is the 21st century after all) by allowing them to leave a message??

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

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Elquota · 24/06/2013 17:31

Smile

YANBU. It should work both ways though. If you have an answering machine, why do so many people not leave a message, so you just get loads of "messages" which are someone putting the phone down?

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littlemonkeychops · 24/06/2013 17:39

Yabu, we have an answerphone but i rarely check it. I hate it when someone thinks that just because they want to get hold of us we have to be available. If people leave a message they then often think 'well they know we're trying to get hold of them why aren't they calling md back'.

I know i might be in the minority though :-)

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Myliferocks · 24/06/2013 17:43

We don't have an answer phone and never will.
If it's important leave a message although everyone who would need to get hold of us in an emergency has our mobile numbers.
With an answer phone you have to ring people back.

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GiveMumABreak · 24/06/2013 17:43

YABU. I hate answering machines (and never leave messages on them, I just ring back at another time)

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TheEarlOf · 24/06/2013 17:45

YABU

  1. I don't even have a landline.

2. I don't have a voicemail on my mobile as it costs and if you really need to get hold of me text me! I'm going to read the text just as soon as I can get to the phone
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Myliferocks · 24/06/2013 17:46

Just realised I forgot to say YABU.

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Thesunalwayshinesontv · 24/06/2013 18:04

I'm talking about a landline here. Person in question doesn't have a mobile (or, I suspect, has one but doesn't like to give the number out, which is fair enough).

I don't at all think that just because I've left a message someone is obliged to call me back. Don't call me if you don't want to speak to me.

But if you agree with someone to chat 'some time next week', why do I have to keep trying at different times on different days, instead of just calling on Monday evening and being able to say "tried to call, give me a buzz when you have some free time". Instead, she tries calling me and leaves a message (I am out, or just don't want to talk on the phone at that moment), I try calling back - and NOTHING. I just have to KEEP calling back.

It's so bloody rude!

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GiveMumABreak · 24/06/2013 18:15

Yes, I suppose that is a little frustrating!

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Elquota · 24/06/2013 19:02

Send them a postcard and say you've tried a few times on the phone with no luck? Then you can give up and they can't blame you!

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messalina · 24/06/2013 21:32

I hate the telephone and only ever answer my mobile as I can see who is calling. I reckon if it is really urgent they will call back and I am usually in the middle of something and don't have time to chat. Hate long telephone calls.

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PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 24/06/2013 21:35

Can you send her an email?

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McGeeDiNozzo · 25/06/2013 06:23

DW didn't have voicemail for a long time because MIL would leave interminable indecipherable rambling messages several times a day. But in the end she had to relent for the reasons you described in your second post. So YANBU.

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sashh · 25/06/2013 07:02

We don't have an answer phone and never will.
If it's important leave a message


How?

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Aetae · 25/06/2013 07:13

If the person in question has no mobile then YANBU.

I don't have voicemail on most of my phones because I hate talking on the phone and I spend my work day being deluged by chatty extroverted people and in meetings (which is tiring), but I'm very reliable at replying to email and I will use number recognition on my mobile to call back people I want to speak to. But with just a landline phone how does anyone function?

I'd tell this person they need to join the 21st C if I were you.

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HollyBerryBush · 25/06/2013 07:33

Sorry but I don't have an answering machine either - why would I want one? if you want to talk to me - you keep trying until I find it convenient to answer - I'm not here for your amusement. I never return voicemails for the same reason. If it is important enough - you will call back

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eurozammo · 25/06/2013 07:45

We've turned off the one on our landline. It used to be filled with dozens of junk messages. We are ex-directory and have had this number for more than 5 years but it has clearly been recycled from a local business. If anyone needs to reach me, they can ca my mobile. I do have voicemail on that.

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StealthPolarBear · 25/06/2013 07:53

I noticed that sashh. Maybe they have a butler

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MiaowTheCat · 25/06/2013 09:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

livinginwonderland · 25/06/2013 09:31

YABU, I hate answering phones! I got rid of mine because it was just irritating. I don't use the landline, but if you ring my mobile, I'll see you've called me, and Shock call you back when it's convenient to me! I don't have to be available just because you want me to be.

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