Voicemail at 4 PM Sunday: Someone dropped out. We have a spot for you off of the waitlist for tomorrow morning, but you’ll need to respond very quickly.
Text message 3 minutes later: Yes, as long as [contingency] is ok, I’d be happy to be there tomorrow.
[No response]
Email 15 minutes later: Hey, I sent a text message, but I’m also sending a follow up email letting you know I’d like to come as long as [contingency] is ok.
[No response]
Update: I am good to go. The phone # I texted did not receive texts, so this is a lesson learned to call back when someone leaves a voicemail. Thanks everyone.
For anything that needs to be done “very quickly”, a phone call is the correct response. Do it right now.
Are you able to call? I know calling sucks but since it’s urgent, I’d call.
Why did you respond to a voicemail with a text message? They’re clearly expecting a phone call.
Why would you expect anyone to call you in 2025!?
We’re cooked
Who even still uses voicemails in 2026? Aren’t you supposed to hang up and send a text if it goes to voicemail?
Businesses?
Businesses generally want something from me, so it’s kind of on them to figure out how to communicate with me if they want my money
They did. With a phone call!
How do you send a text from a work phone?
Let me welcome you to the wonderful world of T9 texting.
My work calls from a landline. There is no texting whatsoever
My work phone is a cell phone. Regardless, texting services are available for landline phones.
Double-regardless, my comment was more a tongue-in-cheek commentary on my dislike for voicemails more than anything serious. I still receive voicemails from people who I know are using a cell phone.
Because all these bitches are supposed to have therapy to help you get over petty anxieties like talking on the phone. 😋
I think this is a rare case of where an actual phone conversation might clear up the confusion. If you have the number, that is.
Yep. You missed your chance by not following instructions.
Is [contingency] something that may be contingent on other things that may take time to verify?
An answer dependent on a contingency is not a ‘yes’, it is a ‘maybe’. When there is a waitlist of people who can say ‘yes’ without contingencies they are not going to take a ‘maybe’.



