No, I think it comes with the territory.  If people want to "push" their agenda on your bosses, they want to do it ASAP.  Some of them don't like dealing with "gatekeepers," and I don't mean to use that term negatively, nor am I defendng these oafs, because they KNOW they will be turned away.



The worst people I had to deal with as a receptionist were salespeople.  One almost had me in tears becase he was so relentless.  I knew he was a salesperson because he wouldn't tell me why he was calling, no matter how many times I asked, said "he's in a meeting," etc.  It took me maybe 15 minutes to get him off the phone.



I even think they have seminars for salespeople on how to get past assistants.  Heck, in this book I bought on freelance writing, it had a section on how to get past assistants.  But, to be fair, the book DOES acknowledge that a lot of Big Cheeses (like your bosses) don't have enough time during the day and only want essential calls to get through.



The only answer is, even though it might wear you out some days, is to do just what you did, keep at them until you find out what they're after.  If only they knew what stress they put on secretaries/AAs/receptionists everywhere...but when they have their agenda to push, I don't think they care WHO they knock over to get it to be heard...