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If I don't catch their name the first time, I ask them to repeat it, and then I write it down. I have a notebook with just immigration notes in it, and a whole new section dedicated to the NVC process. I keep track of the calls in this notebook by having entries with the following format:
______________________________
Date:
Time:
Agent:
Info:
______________________________
Then I draw a line under that entry so it's delineated.
In the beginning, I used to write my USCIS case number/NVC Case Number/IIN and the NVC phone number at the top of the page. I have all of that info memorized at this point, so I stopped doing that. (And NVC is on speed dial. )
I think that it's important to keep a log of this information because I am not waiting for them to contact me in writing. If something goes wrong, I need to be able to hold to appropriate person accountable. My friend who is a lawyer said that is the exact reason why they do everything in writing. You can argue that a phone call never happened. It's harder to claim that about an email, fax, or mailed letter. I think that the NVC records their calls, and I'm certain that they have a call log. If you have accurate info written down, then you are covering your own butt.

Hmm, I will try calling at 10, hope I get a helpful person! ^__^

He was very humble about it! He did chuckle a little and then he said "there's no hall of fame at the National Visa Center, but thank you!"

Ok, here goes:
Lexi - Days - Very nice
Kerry - Days - Good
Reese - Days - Meh
Waldo - Days - Very nice
Todd - Days - Awesome Sauce
Joy - Days - Not well named
Lisa - Nights - Okay (And funny)
Brady - Nights - Okay
Andre - Nights - Borderline incomprehensible. Possibly a new guy.
Vanessa - Days - Okay
Mel - Nights - Okay
Lee - Days - Okay
Ariel - Days - Meh
Casey - Nights - Okay
Gus - Nights - Awesome Sauce
Oliva - Days (?) - okay
Abby - Days - Good
Jean - Days - Okay
Jack - Nights - Very Good
Jim - Nights - Awesome Sauce
Kelly - Days - Okay
Sam - Nights - okay
May - Days (?) Okay
Nikki - Days - Okay
Jenny - Days - Okay
Rose - Days - Very Meh
Shelly - Days - Okay
Evette - Days - Okay
JR - Nights (?) - Very Good
Sharlene - Days - eh
Cindy - Days - Okay
Nikki - Days - Okay
Gina - Days - Okay
Heather - Days - Okay
Angela - Days - Okay
I might have some people on the wrong shift, as I call when I get a chance with the kids. Usually I call in the morning, but I've also called late at night, and in the afternoon occasionally.

So, my husband and I were unpacking some stuff and found this (empty) manila folder he created at the beginning of our immigration journey:

Oh, lovely memories

Got checklist yesterday! Stupid mistakes, will send in this week.

What do you mean what should you answer? You don't know why you married her? That will surely get your denied. No one is going to tell you what to answer you issue is your issue. You should know why and that's that.
This isn't a hot tips to Visa site give me the right answers so I can pass. Good grief.

Well yes and No. You would think a person would have a good 4 week jump on someone having a lawyer because no DS-261 so IV bill and AOS get invoiced together.
However toe to toe without you get through faster because lawyers don't call NVC (a rare few may). You will see people post all the time "Lawyer waiting for email or snail mail. ) I know someone who waited 8 months fr lawyer to get information because lawyer refused to give email at USCIS or NVC so everything was the mail. It took 6 months to get case# through mail. Then 2 months to get mail of AOS, and another 2 months for IV.
In all they were at NVC for 13 months when they finally got interview all because a hardheaded lawyer (they were too and wouldn't believe me that you can call the government). The lawyer told them their file would be pulled and denied.
Because we at VJ encourage and tell you to call you get to find out weeks ahead. Look how long it takes after you call and get case# to get the email. Someone gauged it and they said it is 6 months if you just sat around and waited for NVC to let you know the next step.
Thank God for Saylin and the rest of you knowledgeable people that keep us on track and give us a leg up and hey kick some knowledge to us that maybe we can help the next person that comes along.

They seriously need to get some people working in there overtime, or on a Saturday or something. At this point, a week or two of that should put them well ahead of the game. If they're already backlogged now, it's only going to get worse. Perhaps we should send a letter to the management there, and explain that they're going to be getting a lot of people through and their backlog is only going to get worse if they don't do something about it *now* while it's manageable.

OMG! I got approved!!! Finallly! I don't know if it helped that I sent an email last week to NSC, I urge you guys to email them if you guys are nearing the 60 days after transfer. Thanks VJ for helping me out so much!! Hope you guys get approvals soon.
PD Date: April 2,2013
Transferred to: NSC on Nov 14
Apporved: Jan 10, 2014

OMG! I got approved!!! Finallly! I don't know if it helped that I sent an email last week to NSC, I urge you guys to email them if you guys are nearing the 60 days after transfer. Thanks VJ for helping me out so much!! Hope you guys get approvals soon.
PD Date: April 2,2013
Transferred to: NSC on Nov 14
Apporved: Jan 10, 2014

Will that even help? I sent a letter to my senator and she told me they are processing feb 13, 2013, sending another letter tomorrow.
When they realize that the application is over the time frame of 8.7 months, they just use the feb 13, 21023 date and tell you to wait.

Oh Monday, please bring more approvals

My husband has this superstition that once I stop coming to Vj and stop constantly checking USCIS, we'll have a surprise waiting for us...haha

i haven't been waiting as long as others, but this process doesn't make sense to me. Filing a petition is just to determine if you are eligible or not, as a fiance or a spouse. I understand running checks on Marriage Certificates, Divorce decrees, etc but why background checks when in order to get your passport, your country already does that and you still have to prove with a police clearance. Seems USCIS likes to run in circles, take your money and just sit on this cases and deal with them in order to fill a quota or something.
Instead of sending them out to various service centers, why not hire more people to adjudicate? I have no record, not even a traffic violation as I am sure others as well.
The whole process bothers me as the wait times for each step seem so ridiculously awful.

Ahahahahahaah anybody see the processing date? It is Feb 13, 2013 now...wooow What an accomplishment!

Makes sense...then they will have...we are still processing FEB, 2013..forever! and no one can make a service request although it will say the process time is "5 months"

Yeah I agree, random cases are being approved where I don't see a real trend. They should figure out some order...by now...

Yeah I agree, random cases are being approved where I don't see a real trend. They should figure out some order...by now...

Yeah, I think it's up to you, personal choice of turning it in asap to minimize possible delay.

This waiting game sucks so badly! I wish they would at least let us know, how much time it will take...

I don't think the MSC number matters, I tried to change numbers and check, many are other forms and applications are in process before and after my number