Toshiba Phone System

Why would people prefer voice mail over an answering machine?

I don't like the idea that you can't screen with voice mail. As on an answering machine you can pick the phone up if you decide you want to take the call.

Public Comments

1. Well, answering machines are usually tied to one location, where as you can check your voice mail anywhere. For example, if your cell phone dies as a call was coming in, you can use another phone to call your cell and get to the voice mail to see if a message was left. For a land line, we have voice mail, and it's great for the same purpose. You can call it when you're away to check messages. Plus, if something happens to your phone line, the phone company will take the voice mail for you if for some reason your phone service is out (due to a storm or what have you). Voice mail often goes along with Caller ID. Caller ID is 10 times better than waiting for someone to say "If you're there, pick up"
2. I think in general your personal greeting sounds better over voice mail. Many answering machines' sound quality sound terrible.
3. It's for when they are not avalible or mabye it's someone they don't want to talk to.
4. Voice mail is a great service when you are on the phone, or dial up isp, or while someone else is calling. Instead of a busy signal, your other caller can leave you a message.
5. Voice mail is best because you can access from a remote location easier. if you want to screen the call you can do this via caller ID. If your phone service is interrupted the voice-mail still works. There is no trouble with tapes or the cheap answering machines.