I don't need to dial to check my VM on my Android. It downloads it to the phone and easy to access, so I check it soon after I receive the VM.
Why should I waste my time and theirs in calling them back when they probably told me everything I need to know in the voice mail?
i'm pretty sure every scenario you are describing involves calling them back regardless. I get what you are saying, and I get that it is polite and efficient. But I contend that since it is no longer the norm, it is not the most efficient way. A follow up call is still in order and no one will be pissed if you ask to repeat the message. They don't get pissed...except maybe my mom. But, she doesn't listen to my voicemails to her, either. so there.
yep Google Voice texts me the transcription. So it IS a text and not a vm It also e-mails it to me...so if the transcription is confusing, instead of having to dial it and whatnot, I'll click the play button in the e-mail if I have a spare 15 seconds sometime.
Assume my doctor or his nurse calls me back and leaves a voice mail with everything I need to know (e.g. results of test, he called in a prescription, date of appointment, etc.). You are saying I should ignore the VM, call the clinic, have them track down the doctor or nurse, and hear the exact same thing they just told me? Assume the car repair shop leaves a VM saying my car is ready, I should ignore the VM, call the repair shop, have them track down the technician, take him away from other work, just so he can tell me my car is ready? These are not off the wall examples and I could write many more and in neither of these examples was a call back necessary. It is a ridiculous waste of time in a lot of cases to not listen to a voice mail and it chaps me when I say everything that needs saying in a VM and the person calls me back without listening.
I'd normally check my voicemail as soon as I get a notification, but no one ever calls me in the first place.
Where's the option for those who don't even have it setup? I stopped setting up my voicemail when the iPhone 4 came out so if anybody calls they can't leave a message. I prefer texts too.
Let's see. That means I have to educate every single service or person I deal with on how to send texts. Generally services (e.g. auto repair, doctor, dentist, cleaners, etc) still use land lines. Also, it is a heck of a lot easier leaving a 30 second VM than typing it all out as a text message.