I just want to leave a message!

What is the deal with phone answering machines with incredible long wait times before you can leave a message? Yes, ok you didnt pick up the phone, now let me leave my message. I dont want to have to wait through a press 1 or 5. I would think that this is a nifty little things the phone companies do to make you spend more time on the phone but everywhere you look phone plans are unlimited mins so that theory doesnt hold up well. Latley i have also run into a few that dont have a beep so you dont know when to begin speaking and then right when you start you get a voice asking if you are happy with your message and if not press 1 to start over....of course you mash 1 over and over again but it doesnt do anything you just get the same message again and again.