Outgoing Message for Voice Mail

Fletch · Sep 21, 2008

On mine I play the original 7-note chime of NBC (which they haven't used on the air since 1930). Then I give my phone number just to let you know you've dialed correctly. That's all.

jamespowers · Sep 22, 2008

carter said:
lol lol lol

I believe that sends a subtle, well maybe not so subtle,... thinly veiled (?), nope,... correct message. The iron fist within the velvet glove of answering protocol. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

I figured yours needed a little tweaking.

panamag8or · Sep 24, 2008

My Dad has had the same message for 30 years, where he tells people the call is being answered by an automatic phone answering machine, and explains how to wait for the tone to leave a message. lol

carter · Sep 24, 2008

jamespowers said:
I figured yours needed a little tweaking.

Tweak on!

retrogirl1941 · Sep 24, 2008

My old message was-

" Hey Im off checking blackout regualtions but you can leave a message and when the air raid siren stops I will call you back."

My favorite one that I have been using for a while now-

" Hey you've reached Samantha's phone, Im off being gorgeous right now but leave a massage and I will think about calling you back."

Samantha

shortbow · Sep 24, 2008

Mine's short and sweet and quite vintage. A busy signal.

Dr Doran · Sep 25, 2008

I cannot stand long outgoing messages. "I'm not here, leave a message."

That's all.

I don't state my name, because if they don't know who I am, why are they calling?

I don't tell them to leave a message after the tone, because if they cannot figure to wait for the tone, why would they be the sort of person whose message I would want to hear?

I don't say the number, because why would they need it if they just dialed it?

I love the answering machine built into the wall in KISS ME DEADLY (1955! now that is one early answering machine!)

Shaul-Ike Cohen · Sep 25, 2008

Long messages tend to be annoying to callers who call more often, even if the message is neutral or funny, and certainly when it just tries to be funny -think Costanza. You can spot callers to such numbers from a distance; they tend to make circular movements with their hands.

(Otherwise, there were some funny ones above. I like the NBC chime idea.)

Paisley · Sep 25, 2008

Doran said:
I don't state my name, because if they don't know who I am, why are they calling?

I don't tell them to leave a message after the tone, because if they cannot figure to wait for the tone, why would they be the sort of person whose message I would want to hear?

I don't say the number, because why would they need it if they just dialed it?

What if someone called your number by mistake? They might never know it.

carter · Sep 25, 2008

It was short-lived but...

I tried singing a line from El Paso by Jay and the Americans.

"Come a little bit closer, you're my kind of man, so big and so strong. Come a little bit closer, I'm all alone and the night is so long."

We got a lot of hang-ups. My daughter was not happy. She doesn't like it when I sing and dance in the car either. Especially with the top down.

Dr Doran · Sep 26, 2008

Paisley said:
What if someone called your number by mistake? They might never know it.

They'll know by my voice.

Then again, my number is very private. Only one or two calls per day, and it's usually my wife asking if I can make dinner.

People reach me by email. Sorry, by electrogram (I love that!).

I guess it is partially dependent upon what you use your phone for (in addition to personal preference).

If I had a business I'd reconsider.

I still think there is no reason to tell people to leave a message after the tone.

Fletch · Sep 26, 2008

Doran said:
I love the answering machine built into the wall in KISS ME DEADLY (1955! now that is one early answering machine!)

IIRC, Lee de Forest had a patent on one about 20 years before that. It used a disc record, of course, and I think it even had a Rube Goldberg stage that lifted the receiver.

Paisley · Sep 26, 2008

Doran said:
They'll know by my voice [if it's a wrong number].

Not to be contentious, but if somebody dials your number by mistake, meaning to reach someone else, they might not know they've reached a wrong number. If the caller is trying to reach someone in an emergency (say, a school nurse calling a parent), it would be nice for them to have some sign that they've reached the right or wrong number.

Kassia · Sep 26, 2008

Paisley said:
Not to be contentious, but if somebody dials your number by mistake, meaning to reach someone else, they might not know they've reached a wrong number. If the caller is trying to reach someone in an emergency (say, a school nurse calling a parent), it would be nice for them to have some sign that they've reached the right or wrong number.

I actually did have that happen... Our dentist office called to remind us that Jason and Timmy had an appointment tomorrow... What ever time it was...
So I did know who it was but they didn't know i was not those kids parents.. I did call them bad later and tell them of the mix up.. So it can happen..

Dr Doran · Sep 26, 2008

Kassia said:
I actually did have that happen... Our dentist office called to remind us that Jason and Timmy had an appointment tomorrow... What ever time it was...
So I did know who it was but they didn't know i was not those kids parents.. I did call them bad later and tell them of the mix up.. So it can happen..

That's reasonable.

ShoreRoadLady · Sep 26, 2008

Paisley said:
Not to be contentious, but if somebody dials your number by mistake, meaning to reach someone else, they might not know they've reached a wrong number. If the caller is trying to reach someone in an emergency (say, a school nurse calling a parent), it would be nice for them to have some sign that they've reached the right or wrong number.

That; or, as has happened to me, they'll call the right number but it'll be for someone totally different. "No, there's no Jim here, REALLY."

Dr Doran · Sep 26, 2008

ShoreRoadLady said:
That; or, as has happened to me, they'll call the right number but it'll be for someone totally different. "No, there's no Jim here, REALLY."

Are you SURE there's no Jim there?

Paisley · Sep 26, 2008

Or, as a receptionist, "Which Jim, please?"

"Uh...I don't know." If you're over age 8, you should know last names.

Or, "Jim isn't here, would you like to leave a message?"

"Uh....well....ummm." It isn't a life-changing decision. :eusa_doh:

MPicciotto · Sep 26, 2008

Dave's not here!

Matt

Miss Neecerie · Sep 26, 2008

Kassia said:
I actually did have that happen... Our dentist office called to remind us that Jason and Timmy had an appointment tomorrow... What ever time it was...
So I did know who it was but they didn't know i was not those kids parents.. I did call them bad later and tell them of the mix up.. So it can happen..

I once had a lady call my phone, in error, with very complete and tedious instructions to go ahead and start the work on her patio chairs as she decided to go ahead....

I called her back and explained I was not the chair guy...figuring I saved the -workman- the strife of being yelled at by some rich lady about how he didn't do the work...and she -told- him to......

Please note that my message does say 'You have reached Denise at the <company name>.......

So she heard that and somehow -still- thought it was her chair guy..........

Outgoing Message for Voice Mail

I'll Lock Up

Practically Family

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

Practically Family

My Mail is Forwarded Here

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

My Mail is Forwarded Here

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Practically Family

My Mail is Forwarded Here

I'll Lock Up

Practically Family

I'll Lock Up

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics