A method and apparatus are provided for processing an instant message within a system having a plurality agents for handling the instant message. The method includes the step of a buffer sever detecting an arrival of the instant message. The method also includes the steps of sending the instant message to one of a plurality of messages queues associated with the buffer server pending availability of one of the plurality of agents to handle the instant message and automatically generating and sending a status message to a source of the instant message while the message is in the message queue based upon the status of the instant message in the message queue.