Voicemail system defies logic

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Nov 10, 2004 Posts: 28

I like Vonage's voicemail for a couple reasons, mainly the ability to assign different greetings based on day of week or time of day.

However, actually USING the voicemail system is counterintuitive. Allow me to provide some examples:

1. When calling the voicemail access number from another phone, why do I have to hit the # key after dialing my 11-digit phone number? Vonage won't take more or less than eleven digits, so having to "confirm" my selection by use of the # key seems pointless... which brings me to my next point:

2. Vonage does NOT require you to hit the # key after your passcode, even though passwords can be of varied lengths (at least I am pretty sure of this). Okay then.

3. Why does Vonage not have an option to begin immediate playback of new messages? Instead, you've got to hit the "1" key twice in succession... yet another step that often results in my carefully crafted speed dial entry of phone number, pause, password, pause, and the two "1" key entires gettings screwed up 'cause Vonage's system didn't "hear" it or is experiencing lag.

I am not sure who makes Vonage's voicemail system, but it's sure nowhere near as intuitive as Lucent/Avaya Audix or Octel Messaging (which Verizon and other carriers use).

Anyone else have comments about Vonage's voicemail system and its lack of intuitive operation?

Posts: 249 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject: Voice Mail

I just don't use it. I have found that just as it was in the 1940's if I don't answer the phone most folk figure I'm not here and call back later if it's important to them. I fail to see any sense in listening to recordings and pushing buttons because someone thought they wanted to talk to me?

Posts: 605 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

I dont think you have to dial a voicemail access number. I beleive you can call your Vonage line and wait for the voice mail to answer and hit * and then enter your password. I have not done this for a while since once or twice a month I get a voicemail.

Posts: 47 · Full Forum Member Joined: Aug 18, 2005 Posts: 47

Heh heh a lot of Vonage is counterintuitive. But you're right, why do you need to start the 11 digit phone number with "1"
Wycha's right, except I think you hit # to interrupt your greeting and access your message. However, it's not always practical or appropriate to dial your own number (Like if you live in Florida and are visiting a Mormon friend in Utah you might not want to run up their long distance bill)
Yeah I don't trust those kinds of voicemail systems. I use a little digital answering machine thingy... AT&T made it, I bought it at staples for $9.99 or whatever.
Of course it tells me I have 15 messages but says "NO NEW MESSAGES" whenever I try to listen to them... can't freakin' win.

Posts: 1389 · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

I don't even keep a local access number in my phones. I just use the *123 and then enter the password. Some people like to listen to the header, I just skip over it.
As for travelling, I usually log onto the website or check my email as I have the messages sent to me via email also...

Posts: 233 · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:54 pm Post subject:

You beat me to saying what I use Trowski. I too log in to the website and listen. I also have my voicemails e-mailed to me but that might overload somebody's mailbox if they get a lot of voicemails. For some stranger like me it is great. But, logging into the website is easy if you can get access to a "connected" computer. Most hotels now offer data rooms with computers that have Internet access.

But, I hear what these folks are saying. If they are at a friend's house they don't want to call their number to get voicemail. But, isn't that what you had to do if you had an answering machine on POTS?

Another suggestion might be setting up a forward to your cell phone. I got rid of my cell phone so I can't swear that would work for you.

Look at the bright side, in 5 years area codes and long distance will be meaningless. There will be no charge to call your house. Which reminds me . . . recommend your friends to Vonage and collect their free month reward. Then you can call your voicemail from your friends' houses with no charge, they save a lot of money, and you get a free month of service.

Posts: 30 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Sep 02, 2005 Posts: 30

I don't use voicemail all the time simply becaue I like to screen my calls...the only time the voicemail comes in handy is when I am on a call and don't want to take the call waiting caller.

I set my anwering machine to pick up before the voice mail kicks in but leave it enabled for call waiting callers whom I don't want to speak with.

Howie

Posts: 249 · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:38 am Post subject: Caller ID & ACR

Quote:

the only time the voicemail comes in handy is when I am on a call and don't want to take the call waiting caller.

I consider call waiting to be a rude invention. I get irritated when talking to a friend and suddenly getting put on hold. Geeze if you call me and the line is busy can't you figure out that I'm home and will be available to answer your call soon?

One of the goodies I would use if Vonage provided it would be ACR. Particulary around election time!

If I had a business perhaps I'd see things differently but I'm just a people. Kinda an old fart at that.

Posts: 182 · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject:

You have to put the 1 in front of your Vonage number because that is your country code if you are in the US or Canada, but not all Vonage customers have US or Canadian numbers. UK subscribers would start their Vonage number with 44.

Voicemail systems get more complex when their subscribers can be in many countries in the world.