The answering machine was a great machine when it was first invented. It was a really good way to find out who called you and why they called. Answering machines have really become outdated with the development of voicemail.

if I didnt answer its for a good reason

Gotta love that annoying answering machine to drive those telemarketers mad. lol

voice mail, or even text messages, much better!

4/5

I don't even have a normal phone-line anymore, let alone an answering machine. (this only sucks when I misplace my cell, but skype can make it ring all the same).

Visual voicemail on the iPhone kinda rocks, but I'd rather people just text me if I don't answer (or better yet text instead of call in general). I wonder how long it will take for this technology to be completely deprecated.

Advances in medical science and technology should dominate this kind of a list, but I score points for that little machine that takes my calls when I am home from work in ever-decreasing increments of time thanks to the dark side of capitalism that treats any time off of work as a threat to employment.  I can check if it's work, family, or another call from my credit-card company asking me why I don't use them anymore.  Solid invention but not necessary.

Still works wonders for screening calls, and I don't have to pay a premium for Caller ID and/or Voicemail.

50% of the time it was just useless, 100% of the time it's useless now. Caller ID/Voicemail.....have killed that foo.

I HATE VOICE MESSAGES!!!!

I've never had one. My parents didn't have one when I was growing up. When I was an undergrad I lived in the dorms, where the phones had a campus voicemail system. Now I only have a cell phone, so that has it's own voicemail as well.

Back in the old days, when the phone rang, you answered it. Thanks to voicemail, now it's almost considered rude.

I never have to answer the phone if i don't want to.

they had their day and were useful when they came out. they worked pretty good but after awhile had to replace the tiny cassette after being recorded over and over again. but at least they gave you messages. now with voice mail do not know too many who still use them but I am sure they are still out there somewhere, they die hards probably still use them.

They're not that great anymore since mostly everyone has voicemail.

I have had an answering machine for quite some time now, so I wouldn't
miss out on any important calls, but I think what gets really
irritating is when someone calls and they just hang up. I understand most people don't like answering machines, but it shouldn't
take too much effort to leave a brief message.