General Discussion

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)

49. ~95% of the calls on my voice mail are solicitations ... so I only check it maybe once a week.

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:46 PM

Jan 2012

The message is simple ... "We can't take your call right now, if you would like, you can leave a message after the beep." No suggestion that we will EVER return your call.

If you call and we are home, we screen the call. If we know who you are and we are able, we answer it. If you block your #, or its says "private number", or "toll free number" ... we won't answer it at all.

About once a week we purge it. Most is junk. Occasionally, its the Dr office calling to remind you of an appointment, maybe the pharmacy has a prescription ready, or the kid's school principle is doing a blast call of the week's activities (although he tends to go on and on and the recording times out on him, which is kind of funny -- we take bets on whether he can get done before timing out).

In any case, if we know you, then you already know how to reach each of us the fastest. Texting my kids is the fastest way to reach them. Cell-phone is best way to reach my wife. Email or IM is usually fastest path to me, I'm usually bolted to that. And our friends and family know all of that.

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People leaving voicemail recordings that say, "I'll get back to you at MY earliest CONVENIENCE" [View all] Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 OP

Or honesty. Quantess Jan 2012 #1

Plain rudeness. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #2

Maybe. It depends what your relationship is to them, of course. Quantess Jan 2012 #4

But listen to the message. It means, "when it's convenient for me" Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #13

So they should call back when it's grossly inconvenient for them? TheWraith Jan 2012 #68

it wouldn't make much sense for the message to say that they'll call back at the other party's onenote Jan 2012 #75

Of course not. The original term was used for LEAVING a message, not in a vm recording for callers Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #82

Again, we just hear the messages differently I guess. onenote Jan 2012 #88

That's not the point. dmr Jan 2012 #50

I suppose. Myself, I try to be considerate by having an extremely short answering message Quantess Jan 2012 #59

So what should they say instead? Cali_Democrat Jan 2012 #3

"Please leave me a voicemail and I will return your call" Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #6

The police aren't allowed to arrest you for being rude. TheWraith Jan 2012 #70

Quite rude. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #76

The appropriate greeting is fine, except LiberalAndProud Jan 2012 #95

I would rather be told my call will be returned at the other party's EARLIEST convenience onenote Jan 2012 #80

Are you really going to return their call? oldhippie Jan 2012 #103

My greeting for the past 30 years... Kahuna Jan 2012 #113

I think you're overreacting. They might be doing something that they ... BlueJazz Jan 2012 #5

ahahahaha! EXACTLY! They might be taking a shower at work :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #8

Maybe they work in a coal mine and don't want to get their iphone dirty. BlueJazz Jan 2012 #18

ROFLMAO! A deep sea diver working 80 hrs a week, and, poor dear, can't take 30 seconds to call nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #22

Maybe one of the sharks ate his hands. BlueJazz Jan 2012 #53

...Or his phone! nt Buns_of_Fire Jan 2012 #112

Overreacting, ya think?!?!? bigwillq Jan 2012 #31

Except when I hear this type of message..... Sheepshank Jan 2012 #58

Because you have a limited definition of the word jberryhill Jan 2012 #7

Mine says hobbit709 Jan 2012 #9

That's kinda cute :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #10

Of course a lot of my friends leave "woof, woof" messages. hobbit709 Jan 2012 #28

LOL! Dog lovers, no doubt. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #29

Sounds fine to me. My life isn't run by people who leave me voicemail. phantom power Jan 2012 #11

how about "i'm too fucking busy and i'll get back to you when i get back to you?" frylock Jan 2012 #12

Works for me taterguy Jan 2012 #14

Actually, it's more along the lines of, "I'll call you when I damned well feel like it" nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #27

more like "IF I damn well feel like it!" oldhippie Jan 2012 #107

That's EXACTLY what "at my earliest convenience" means: "I'm too fucking busy, so screw off" Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #15

They're just not that into you cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #16

You clearly have that recording on your voicemail. :) LOL! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #25

I'm sorry. I'm unavailable to read your message. I'll read and respond at my earliest convenience. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #17

Read #5. He expressed exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #19

"I'll return your call if when I damn well feel like it" L0oniX Jan 2012 #20

That's exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #23

My voicemail at work says something similar tammywammy Jan 2012 #21

It's obtuse. It might be unintentional owing to stupidity, or deliberate, owing to hubris. MADem Jan 2012 #24

You're right. It's a sign of a poor education, illiteracy, horrific manners, egocentrism Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #26

That's kind of how it works. bigwillq Jan 2012 #30

Then may as well say what the message means, "I'll call you when I f*****g feel like it" nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #32

Now, that would be rude. bigwillq Jan 2012 #33

Why? 'Cause one version actually says the words, 'when I fucking feel like it" and the other merely Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #38

It's not funny...but it is, if you know what I mean! nt MADem Jan 2012 #34

I do know what you mean. It's so rude, you've got to laugh. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #37

Well, yes. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #90

When I worked at Starbucks many years ago tammywammy Jan 2012 #97

Right on. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #121

LOL. I think the biggest revelation in my life was when someone said to me. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #35

Smart man! bigwillq Jan 2012 #40

Oh my. Now that's the prototypical, "at my earliest convenience" user! Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #41

How is that rude? tammywammy Jan 2012 #48

I agree with your OP, kiva Jan 2012 #108

Perfectly said. This is the correct answer. nt woo me with science Jan 2012 #43

Bravo! lolly Jan 2012 #105

As if people should drop EVERYTHING to call you back. alphafemale Jan 2012 #36

No, you're right. It's good to say it, even tho it sounds like, "when I fucking feel like it" Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #39

Yes. Doing things that are important to me. alphafemale Jan 2012 #42

As I said, you win. Death to etiquette and good manners! Yipee! Rudeness wins! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #44

Can be looked at two ways chowder66 Jan 2012 #45

I see it as just another indication that illiteracy has taken over the country and reigns supreme nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #47

You are starting to sound like my brother-in-law. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #65

Exactly. At my convenience is the best that should be hoped for. alphafemale Jan 2012 #77

The fact that it sounds liek "when I fucking feel like it" to you doesn't mean it sounds that way onenote Jan 2012 #86

They should be damned glad I'm listening to their message at all, that's how I see it. redqueen Jan 2012 #46

~95% of the calls on my voice mail are solicitations ... so I only check it maybe once a week. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #49

There are oodles of solicitation calls, but when one calls a business place, business to business Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #51

Your OP does not narrow the focus of the discussion to you calling a business. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #73

No need to give a segment of time. Simply ask the individual to leave a message, and promise you Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #74

Actually, there is a business reason to give a time frame. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #92

I never had that happen before. Here is how you work these annoying charity calls you get southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #52

I've had one business calling for years to inform me my car was ready to be picked up. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #56

Gee really? I think that is so funny. southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #71

Oh, at home it's a different story. I have a polite message, and don't call soliciations back Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #57

Oh, I wondered because I never had that happen at home. Thanks that is funny. I have been retired southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #69

What's even more annoying is the increased use of autodialers. Initech Jan 2012 #54

Or when you pick up the phone and they say, "Please hold while I connect you...." Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #61

OMG yes. I hate that almost as much as I hate autodialers. Initech Jan 2012 #79

I hang up immediately when i get that crap neverforget Jan 2012 #120

True. Do you get those at work? We don't get any at work. At home? Yup. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #63

Both. And they don't even try to hide it anymore. Initech Jan 2012 #66

Autodialers normally get hung up on. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #93

I hear this often on business calls (and recordings) and cringe. Sheepshank Jan 2012 #55

You're probably right. The person using that phrase probably thinks it's 'classy' and has no clue Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #60

I understand that you think it is rude. Hatchling Jan 2012 #62

I suspect that people using that, are unaware of how rudely they present themselves by using a Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #72

How do you feel about "I will call you back at my earliest opportunity." onenote Jan 2012 #94

Are you trying to say you're some sort of opportunist? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #99

opportunity means the same as crisis in Chinese. Quantess Jan 2012 #101

Maybe you should have capitalized "earliest" too. moriah Jan 2012 #64

Yep Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #83

So, drop everything and call you back? nt Dreamer Tatum Jan 2012 #67

It's business... so... I guess you're supposed to lie? redqueen Jan 2012 #78

i no longer have voicemail on my land line. barbtries Jan 2012 #81

how in the world do you conceive of "I will return your call at my convenience" is rude? niyad Jan 2012 #84

Read how these phrases ended up confused by the less aware: Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #85

And why should I trust recruitingblogs.com again? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #96

You mean, this is a ridiculous thread? Quantess Jan 2012 #100

But it's a fun thread ...... oldhippie Jan 2012 #110

the veiled insult was cute. and I repeat, some people have wayyyyyy too much time on their hands. niyad Jan 2012 #104

"My wife is having a baby and we're in the delivery, but I knew you wanted a call back" nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #87

Maybe it's an age thing? How old are you? nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #89

Mine just says: Holla!!! nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #91

Mine says just that ecstatic Jan 2012 #98

I don't care what you job recruiter says... TreasonousBastard Jan 2012 #102

my favourite message is, "you have reached the psychic research network. we know who you are, and niyad Jan 2012 #106

I've recently made my recording more polite ..... oldhippie Jan 2012 #109

Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it. pa28 Jan 2012 #111

I have that message on my cell phone VM Missy Vixen Jan 2012 #114

Mine says "This is REP. This hasn't been Jon Bumblefuck's number for 10 years. If you want him, REP Jan 2012 #115

My voicemail says, "We'll call you back as soon as we can." MineralMan Jan 2012 #116

You seem unhappy. Throd Jan 2012 #117

Voice Mail Villanelle eridani Jan 2012 #118

DU has its own Andy Rooney! Robb Jan 2012 #119

No, never ran into one of those, but I'm looking forward to it. Zorra Jan 2012 #122

Mine says: "Fuck you, you fucking fuck!" ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #123

I don't do that but get treestar Jan 2012 #124

Absolutely amazing the trivialities that some people will get all exercised about!! WillowTree Jan 2012 #125

Mine came with a message already on it Major Nikon Jan 2012 #126

Someone needs to buy you a cell phone. randome Jan 2012 #127

Guess you wouldn't like mine either then. "Leave a fucking message if you must." lonestarnot Jan 2012 #128

It's rude. No doubt. Nauvoo Sep 2019 #129

Welcome to DU. How did you find such an old thread? uppityperson Sep 2019 #130