Have You Missed Your Appoinment?

JMGP

I forgot about my 4:30 estimate on Friday and I kinda feel bad. I had to reschedule it from the Friday before.

This is the first time this has happened. I have so much going on right now and being "almost" a one-man show I guess I just got side tracked.

I do carry my appointment book with me always.

I dont know if I should just leave it be or call and confess (reschedule again).

I guess the estimate wasnt really emportant... it was a home owner getting estimates for next years exterior season... wanted to find out how much it would cost.

I havent mastered the screening process yet. So whoever calls I schedule an estimate.

I just feel unprofessional. I dont want anyone to place me into "that other" catagory. No what I mean?

Has this happened to some of you? What action did you take?


I am thinking of sending a "Sorry I missed the appoinment" letter and state that if they are still interested in the spring for a professional estimate to call me at that time.

I guess I am just letting this bother me to much.

Thanks,

Joe

Glasshousebltr

Joe, just call em up to say sorry at the least.

Bob

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Bob

Big Dave

I agree with Bob. Even as late as it is, it is still better than letting them wonder. Explain how busy you are and that will also give them more confidence in the kind of work you do.

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Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

RobertCDF

I have not missed an appoinment. But I have failed to give people estimates when I told them I would. I think about it 2 weeks later and say screw it. I am too busy. I know its wrong and I am going to be changing that by doing a little more pre qualifing on the phone.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

jwaldman97

Been there done that.

A call to apologize is the proper thing to do. It'll make you feel better too.

A+Carpenter

Well if you feel the job is not worth the hassle then don’t do it. I go onto some calls and wonder 2 days later why I even went in the first place. My time is money and if it can’t be met then move onto the next call. I am submitting a bid this morning that reflects this thread just to meet the clients needs overall because homeowners association wants to screw with him over puppy nuts. aka small stuff

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Mike Finley

It happens to everybody. Don't worry about it, but don't do it again either.

Just call them and explain what happened and give them the choice of rescheduling again or not.

Double-A

<nod>

Its gonna happen. Its easy to do. Call them and apologise and reschedule. The truth is the path of least resistance and they will appreciate it.

If not, you tried and did your best and can move on without a second thought.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Chris G

Are you worried they're going to yell at you for ruining their Friday by making them wait for you? If you are worried about that, don't be. It rarely happens. Thanks to all the people before you who never showed, people have very low expectations of contractors. So when you call and apologize, don't be surprised at how shocked they are that you actually called. Then again, they may burn you a new one, bu I highly doubt it.

JMGP

OK... thanks for the reply's


I just called and apologized... unfortunately I only got the voice mail... but its done and I feel better now... Thanks!

briselec

Tell them the really good tradesmen are always very busy. That will make them think you must be good if you miss appointments.

dougchips

Voicemail....thats cheating! Call them back and take your beating.

reveivl

Loke everyone I try not to do that, but sh!t happens! Calling and apologising is the right/best/only thing to do. I even got a sizable contract that way once, they were so impressed that I called to apologise we wound up having this long conversation about how busy life is etc. and although I wasn't the low bid they went with me because we had already 'bonded'.

__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

747

Honesty is better than leaving a person hanging.

Tscarborough

Thinking back 20 years, I can not remember a single appointment that I totally blew. I have had many where I had to call and reschedule, but none that I outright forgot. If I did, I would just call, offer an apology and minimal excuse, and bring donuts/cookies on the rescheduled date.

dougchips

Same here, never a missed one yet. I use a pda for scheduling and it alarms we prior to the apt time. I had one of my guys miss 2 apts in one week, he got a month off without any income.