Sometimes "the crazy" doesn't come out until you meet in person, lol.

And no, I do not do telephone interviews first. When I find I do need to advertise (I've been lucky to fill mostly through word of mouth), I host all the interviews on one weekend day and then choose among the applicants. I actually, don't do well on the phone and am much better in person where I can read someone's body language. My interview process is email, ask a few basic questions...send and have them read my policy handbook/contract and they can book an interview from there. But it's all done through email before we meet face to face and this has always worked very well for me.