said by OZO:Yep. I see the value of the option. It'd be nice to set that timeout for my callers too
The greatest value of that option might be that when it's set to zero, you have an "announce only" service.
On the other hand, when I get the longwinded ones, I rarely listen to the whole thing on the phone. I'll listen to the audio file attached to the e-mail so I can skip through the mumbo-jumbo and listen to important parts easily.
On the
other other hand, one set of rules won't work for everyone. Some people like detailed messages and call back with equally detailed responses. Some ignore all messages and just write down the name and phone# to call back. I hate leaving a message and then calling people back and having them say, "So what did you need?" and then I tell them, again, and they say, "OK, wait while I research that" or even worse, "I'll check it out and get back to you." I'd love to send them an e-mail but doctors & lawyers and a lot of billing offices don't do e-mail or text messages.
Best advice is to state your preferences. "You've reached 909-555-5555. Please leave ONLY your name and phone number and I will return your call." "You've reached 909-555-5555. Please leave your name and number FIRST and any DETAILS after that. Remember, name and number FIRST."
If you really want some fun, sign up for Google Voice and check out the transcription, thinking you'll avoid listening to messages. Lots of good stuff that you could never make up. Half the time I get the gist, but the other half I have to listen to see just how far off the transcription was.