# You phone a business and a machine answers. Do you leave a message or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538 "2013-02-07T02:08:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/1 "2013-02-07T02:08:09Z")
According to _Lawn & Landscape Magazine_, 70% of people who are looking for lawn/landscape services will not leave a message if they encounter an answering machine instead of a human when calling to inquire about the business. So would you leave message, or not? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/2 "2013-02-07T02:27:32Z")
Depends entirely on the business. If I’m calling my hardware store to please come and pick up my snowblower for service, then yes sure. If I’m calling the vet to refill a prescription, of course. Basically if I’m call a business I use regularly to do something routine for me, then I will. If I’m calling a new business, probably not. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/3 "2013-02-07T02:28:31Z")
Often yes. But I don’t expect anyone to ever listen to it or respond. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/4 "2013-02-07T02:29:05Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > According to _Lawn & Landscape Magazine_, 70% of people who are looking for lawn/landscape services will not leave a message if they encounter an answering machine instead of a human when calling to inquire about the business. > > So would you leave message, or not? I would say similar numbers with my computer shop. Sometimes we get barraged with calls and I cannot answer them all, they rarely leave messages unless its a repeat customer. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/5 "2013-02-07T02:32:12Z")
If I’m calling around to get a price and appointment, like for a spring cleaning for my yard or to find a plumber, then no - I’m going to the next number until someone answers. If it’s a specific business I need to reach, then yes. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/6 "2013-02-07T02:32:52Z")
**drachillix** , are you sure those are potential customers calling? Nearly half the calls I get are people asking for a donation or selling something. Do you have Caller ID? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/7 "2013-02-07T02:58:15Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > If I’m calling around to get a price and appointment, like for a spring cleaning for my yard or to find a plumber, then no - I’m going to the next number until someone answers. > > If it’s a specific business I need to reach, then yes. Pretty much this. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/8 "2013-02-07T12:55:54Z")
The majority of calls I make to businesses are as part of my working life. If I am pretty sure the number I’m calling is the only one where my query can be answered, yes I will leave a message and then follow up if I don’t hear back within 24 hours (usually). If I’m calling a generic number I will usually hang up and either try again later, or try a different number. In a “home” context, I pretty much agree with what has been said already. If what I need is urgent, obviously I’ll try somewhere else. If I’m looking for something specific and not in a rush, I will leave a message. So I answered “maybe”. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/9 "2013-02-07T13:05:26Z")
You can’t have a conversation with a recording. If I didn’t need/want immediate back and forth conversation I wouldn’t be calling, I’d be emailing. I’ll call back when someone’s there or decide I didn’t need them that much after all. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/10 "2013-02-07T14:03:00Z")
I don’t mind leaving a message detailing what I need and asking for a callback, especially for a “lawn and landscape service” or the like - if the message is professional-sounding. What’s a turn-off is if the recording goes something like “Hi, it’s Randy, I’m out, leave a message”, or worse - if there’s a live pick-up and the person only says “Hullo?” while children scream in the background. For the most part, if you can’t afford a business phone or at least answer the phone in a businesslike way, I’ll take my business elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/11 "2013-02-07T17:27:46Z")
We have to leave messages pretty often for contractors, the propane guy, county officials, etc. It’s common for companies in our rural area to have no office staff. Usually the call goes to the primary employee’s cell phone and he calls us back after he finishes whatever job he’s on. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/12 "2013-02-07T17:30:55Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Depends entirely on the business. If I’m calling my hardware store to please come and pick up my snowblower for service, then yes sure. If I’m calling the vet to refill a prescription, of course. Basically if I’m call a business I use regularly to do something routine for me, then I will. > > If I’m calling a new business, probably not. For me, this is spot on. A business with which I have an established relationship? Yes. Newly contacting a business? No. I’ll just move on to another business that might both meet my need and answer the phone. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/13 "2013-02-07T17:47:28Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > We have to leave messages pretty often for contractors, the propane guy, county officials, etc. It’s common for companies in our rural area to have no office staff. Usually the call goes to the primary employee’s cell phone and he calls us back after he finishes whatever job he’s on. This - especially the really nice guy who does the septic system/plumbing work in my podunk little town. Dave is really nice, and always calls back as soon as he picks up his voice mail. Oddly enough, his daughter is the tech at the vet we use here =) Why wouldn’t you leave a message if you want some sort of service? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/14 "2013-02-07T21:09:59Z")
I wonder how this would turn out if the results were separated according to small town vs larger town. Make the cutoff at a population of 40,000. People want what they want “as soon as possible.” Are small town people more willing to delay gratification? In other words, are they more patient? I can understand wanting to get things done without delay, so as not to have to devote any more time and effort to it than is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![OneDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@OneDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneDay)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/15 "2013-02-07T21:13:57Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > According to _Lawn & Landscape Magazine_, 70% of people who are looking for lawn/landscape services will not leave a message if they encounter an answering machine instead of a human when calling to inquire about the business. > > So would you leave message, or not? Lawn & Landscape Magazine is correct in their findings. Service-oriented businesses better have a real person available to answer every call or they’ll find themselves without any business – no one is going to wait around for a call back these days. The only business where I have to leave a message is with a doctor’s nurse, if I have questions for her. ---
**Author:** ![OneDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@OneDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneDay)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/16 "2013-02-07T21:17:03Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > I wonder how this would turn out if the results were separated according to small town vs larger town. Make the cutoff at a population of 40,000. People want what they want “as soon as possible.” Are small town people more willing to delay gratification? In other words, are they more patient? > > I can understand wanting to get things done without delay, so as not to have to devote any more time and effort to it than is necessary. I’m sure in small towns, certain servicemen have a better reputation for being honest or good at their work, and people would probably wait on a callback from that person, especially if they have a reputation for getting back with customers or potential customers promptly. But the average big-city Joe…no, they ain’t waitin’ around to get an estimate or make a service call appointment. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/17 "2013-02-07T22:10:42Z")
Most of the businesses I use are small businesses I find on Angie’s List. In my experience, the person answering the phone is also the person on the job. I appreciate when contractors/service people do not answer their phones when they are on MY job. So when I call one of those businesses and they don’t answer, I leave a message and they call me back when they are off the clock. Usually the same day. Not only do I use a lot of small contractors I’m also a small business owner myself. I used to be able to have the phones covered 9-5 but I had to give up that chunk of payroll. We’re not really losing business over it, tho - that’s not how our company works. But I do appreciate that it’s hard to keep the phones manned. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/18 "2013-02-07T22:30:36Z")
I sell health insurance to businesses so leaving messages on voicemail is something I do every day. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/19 "2013-02-07T23:56:38Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > What’s a turn-off is if the recording goes something like “Hi, it’s Randy, I’m out, leave a message”, or worse - if there’s a live pick-up and the person only says “Hullo?” while children scream in the background. > > For the most part, if you can’t afford a business phone or at least answer the phone in a businesslike way, I’ll take my business elsewhere. Yes, yes! Several years ago I wanted to find out the hours of a newish coffeehouse. Their Web site didn’t list the hours :rolleyes: so I called the number. Dude answers, noisy background: “Hello?” Me: I’m sorry, I’m trying to reach XXX Coffeehouse. Him: Yeah? Me: Um, well, have I reached the right number? Him: Yeah, this is my cell phone. Me: Oh, well, I just wanted to find out your hours. Him: We’re open till 8. Me: I actually wanted to know your hours every day of the week, because we don’t know when we might stop in. Him: \ He was just very abrupt the whole time. Really, dude, the phone for the store is in YOUR POCKET? How convenient for your employees (we knew he had a bunch; it wasn’t just him running the place). We’d been there once; we never went back. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538/20 "2013-02-08T00:36:21Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > **drachillix** , are you sure those are potential customers calling? Nearly half the calls I get are people asking for a donation or selling something. Do you have Caller ID? Yup, I tend not to answer out of area calls if I am busy. I will also call back missed calls if its only been a few minutes. I get ALOT of my new business that way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-phone-a-business-and-a-machine-answers-do-you-leave-a-message-or-not/649538.md?page=2)