If you insist on having a live person answer the phone...

...and take all messages...without a voice mail option at all?

PLEASE hire someone who can do so competently and politely? Please?

Someone who won't do this:
"OK, wait a sec. Lemme get a pen. Okay. Stacie. Can you spell that? S-T-A-C-Y. Got it. Oh, I-E. My bad. Last name? R-O-S-E-N---what? How do you spell that? How do you say that? Can I just say Stacie R.? OK, now what's this regarding? (Me: "I'm calling to speak with him about an article-") Hold on, you're talking too fast."

Or this:
Me: "John Smith, please."
Receptionist: "Sure, may I tell him who's calling?"
Me: "Stacie from <my magazine>."
R: "One moment please." (Click. Wait. Hold music is "I've Been Thinking About You." Click.)
R: "I'm sorry, could you say again who's calling?"
Me: "Stacie from <my magazine>."
R: "Oh, you know what? He JUST STEPPED OUT. I'm going to need to take a message"


Gah.