Just Call Me & I Won't Send the Email

Am I the only one out here who absolutely hates the "Out of Office" reply emails? I can see it if you're going to be gone for a week or two on vacation, but I'm getting them back from people who must set them to go out during hours they're not open, etc. I really need another email in my Inbox stating that you really think I'm important, but you're not in and will get back to me. And, I seem to get them from the same people every time I send them an email. Does that mean they're never in the office?

Why don't you just call me every time you walk out and come back? That way I'll only send you an email when you're in. The practice begs the question of why you don't have one of those Domino's Pizza type car top signs. It could say something like "Jim Kimmons isn't in the office." That way, if I saw you drive by, I'd know not to call you or send an email, because...well, you're not in.

When I send an email, I neither want nor expect a bounced automated reply of any kind. I assume that you don't sleep in your office, and that you might actually go out now and then to do some other business or activity other than waiting for my email. I assume that I'm important to you, and that you'll get back to me at some point. It's OK, I can wait. I have to go now, as my newsletter went out, and I have a bunch of "Out of Office" replies to delete.