Telephone in an online world

I prefer email and instant messaging for communication. It allows time to think, keeps a record of the conversation, and allows a BRB message when you have to use the restroom. On the telephone, everything is in a hurry, and disagreements come up later as to what was said.

Yet, with dozens of clients who have online businesses, many of them want to speak by telephone all the time instead of use online communication methods. I wonder why. I can understand a retail store owner, a telemarketer, etc., but an online business owner you would think would prefer online communication methods.

Anyway, it just confuses me. It's 2007!!