Regarding Lateness

[Interior Desecrator]

I have a little bone to pick with clients who think that appointments are just a suggestion for when you might want to think about showing up. Now, I have to admit that I'm not always the most punctual person, but I'm only ever 5-10 minutes off. Also, my schedule is not usually full. A lot of times I will tell a client just to give me a heads up as to when I should expect them, but my day is clear so don't worry. What irks me, though, is the people who make specific appointments and then show up 1-3 HOURS late! Yes, HOURS! I had a client tell me that they would be in at 8:30 am one morning, which is when I get to work. So, I busted my butt to make sure I was in and settled by then. When did they show up? 11:30 am - while I was helping another client who had made an 11:00 appointment. It's not a big showroom, and I'm only one person. I really can't help two clients at once. The worst happened on my birthday, though. (I'll give you the full story in another post, 'cause it was BAD!) I had clients coming in for a late morning appointment, and I had scheduled a birthday lunch with my mom. They were only coming in to finalize an order that was ready to go. Around lunch time, they called to tell me they were 45 minutes out. I was already late for lunch, and didn't have time to get something decent with Mom.

But, honestly, what kind of person makes an appointment and then shows up whenever they darn well feel like it? Is it just me, or is that rude?

[LifeCarnie]

I'm chronically late, but if it's more than a few minutes, I'll call, and I'm usually early when it's something important enough to require an appointment.

I can't believe people call hours after the fact and assume they're still all set to show up.

[chops]

Oh geez...this happens all the time in the car business.

We're told to try to get the customer to commit to a certain time so we know when to expect them. Of course, being the car business, things change rapidly and customers either don't take the "appointment" seriously or they get waylaid by another dealership that they're shopping.

However, if I've told management that I've made an appointment with so-and-so, I'm kinda tied up waiting for them, so I can't really go and get other customers unless I'm the only one left, or unless enough time has passed after the time they were supposed to show up. So, I've had to deal with the following scenarios:

• Customer has set an appointment with me for after I'm supposed to leave, forcing me to stay late; customer doesn't show up at all or shows up late and keeps me until near or after closing

• Customer has set an appointment and doesn't show up until I've given up on them and gotten occupied with another up; this usually results in a split deal

• Customer sets an appointment and shows up early while I'm trying to wrap up with someone else; this also usually results in a split deal because I can't usually go and take over when I'm done

...among others.

[wagegoth]

Clients, one of the most unfortunate sucks of having your own small business. You can't afford to tell the inconsiderate bozos to take their business elsewhere.

When I hear people talk about having their own businesses so they can tell people to f**k off, I have to choke not to laugh. A small business can't afford that. Sure, if the person is a real problem, then you can tell someone to go elsewhere, but you have to be careful, especially in a small town, where that problem customer will not only leave but badmouth you to everyone else.

Ask Repsac about that, if you haven't seen some of his old posts.