Better
read before you get your knickers in a twist, Ralphy:
So the OP
does have voicemail, and it
is free to check.
But people just don't leave messages there*! So whatever recording device you install, people won't use it!
*probably the main reason voicemail is free overthere: the voicemail service doesn't
cost providers there anything either because nobody ever uses it!
It's not about explanations and useless excuses, the fact that we (me too) want to have an old school answering machine on the phone.
I had (have) an old Nokia phone with "AnsMachine" on it.
The best thing ever (and consider that the phone is like 10 years old).
It records all the messages locally in the phone!
You may record different messages for "not in contacts" callers as well as to "private numbers" (which is the most important thing for me).
If you don't want to take the call, the caller can leave you a message (which is on your phone forever, not just for a few weeks on your provider's server).
You can leave a different message to a private caller (bugger) to call from a number or leave a message with his number.
I don't take private calls, 'cos those are 99% bullshit, telemarketing kak.
Unfotunately, there are companies with worngfully installed dashboards have the same private number thingy.
For them is the perfect thing to have a this local answering machine.
If someone left you instructions, the local machine is superior to the voicemail, because you may play it, stop it, rewind it any time, what you can't do with the voicemail.
The bottom line is, there are people finding the local aswering machine, 100 times more convenient and useful, than the viocemail (of course not everybody).
Have a nice day!