First of all, buzme is free. When I signed up with the service, I was looking for a service which would allow me to respond with a call you back in x minutes message. Buzme offered me this and much more for free.

Well, I shouldn't say it is completely free. While buzme.com charges you nothing for their services, your local phone company will charge you a menial fee for the call forwarding aspect (for me it is a paltry $1.25 per month).

The Ups:
Allows you to respond with a customizable message
Acts as voicemail
Gives you pre-configured messages
For an extra fee, you can choose to "take the call".
Small, easy to use Program
Allows you to create an address book with their service.
Can send you email when you receive a new voicemail.
Can listen to voicemail online or through your phone.

The Downs:
During busy periods (around 9pm est) I have been informed by would-be callers that they received a "All circuits are busy, please try your call again later message". A very frustrating message, which also tends to make the user believe it is the local phone companies fault (it isn't). There are also times when the web message system, or the program connection is down - forcing callers to be automatically transferred to voicemail.

The caller ID is number only, forcing you to add everyone who you would like to be identified by name to your clunky and sometimes slow loading online address book (Which can be annoying when you have a very large phonebook).

"Taking the Call" will cost you. Buzme recommends if it is going to be a long call, you request the caller call you back, as to avoid racking up charges.



Recommended: Yes