Answering machine messages

[NetSquirrel]

If you hang up while the recorded message is still playing (i.e. before the beep) is a short call still left on their machine?  I ask because sometimes when my answering machine says I have a message, it turns out to be just a few seconds of silence.  I wouldn't have thought someone would actually wait for the beep if they didn't intend to leave a message, and the strange thing is I often get many of these silent messages, one after the other, from the same number!

[Ralph]

Perhaps they're intending to leave a message, but they chicken out. Then they build up a bit of courage to try again, but with the same end result. I know I hate talking to those machines and will avoid it if at all possible.

I don't think a machine will log a call if the person doesn't wait for the beep (I know mine doesn't) but they probably vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Do you know who it is?

[cartmelj]

Could it be one of those annoying (and seemingluy increasing in number) phone calls originating from a power dialler where there isn't an operator available to talk to you when the call gets through? I know when I have answered such calls, there is a short period of time before the diller hangs up - if your answerphone message is short, this might explain it.

[NetSquirrel]

Thank you Ralph and cartmelj.  I forgot to mention that I don't recognise the number, but it looks like I'll have to ring it up now to see who it is :) .