I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to sit and listen to a prerecorded message. My time is too valuable for that. And nothing makes me hang up the phone faster (well . . . maybe not completely true. For instance, a screaming banshee might make me hang up faster . . . ) than hearing the mechanical sound of a recorded voice saying, "This is not a solicitation or sales call . . ."

And that makes me wonder . . . who uses that line to begin a call? Am I perhaps hanging up on someone who is going to offer me an incredible deal that I simply can't refuse? Am I losing out on that 7-day 6-night cruise to fabulous Alingalapalap for a mere $99? Am I never going to learn the secret of buying real estate with absolutely no money down?

Ahh . . . I hung up and now I'll never know.