In my job, when someone wants to make an appointment and asks if a time is good, I tell them that it is good now, better grab it before it gets taken.  You might water that down because it could come across as pushy in your profession, but the message is the same.

As for response time, the quicker you respond, the more likely you are to get the business.   I'd expect you to be able to respond between appointments, so 2-3 hours normally.  I wouldn't feel bad about moving on to another if I hadn't heard from you in that timeframe.  Also wouldn't hold it against you if you responded days later.  You have no obligation to respond within a given timeframe.

My personal preference is to contact by email because I like to have an idea if there is a rapport before indulging.  Because my hobby opportunities are unfortunately infrequent, there is usually enough time for this...

Good luck!

.....appointment and the provider refuses to answer her phone or call you back! No commitment does not apply here at all! If a hobbyist won't make a commitment for a certain time, why should anyone expect the lady to be available to see him?

Sounds like you've given some good thought and applied some straight common sense.  Congrats.  The dilemna you seem to have is with the delay in emails going back and forth.  I think you could help that situation by requiring all "firm appointments" to be made by phone.  You might even explain in your initial email contacts the reason behind this, e.g. To insure that the time you want is actually available at the time you decide to make the appointment.

Hope you never deal with NCNS in the same manner as someone else has done.  Glad you recognize that already.  Congrats.

... a provider or a client.  If you NCNS you don't get another chance.  Simple as that.  Why would you even bother with anyone who can't keep a commitment?  Nobody needs to get fucked without spending a dime.  Move on.  Plenty of other opportunities out there.

Regards.

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pm me

Say you have an appointment for a dental cleaning but... the Hygienist's kid got sick and she's got to run to quick-care this AM. You might have made an appointment weeks/ months before, even confirmed by phone or email a couple of days ago, but today - suddenly there's no one to clean your teeth. Sure, there might be other Hygienists in the office but they have their schedules too and no one can work you in. 'Your' Hygienist says she'll be back in at noon - but has other patients to see in the PM. end-result: You get re-scheduled, plain and simple. You hear the lines: "We apologize that Sally was unable to make your appt today, but can we reschedule? What day/time works best for you after today?"

The difference in your situation (from my limited understanding) and the scenario above is: Front Desk. The Hygienist has an office manager/front desk/receptionist to notify and re-schedule her clients. You did not.

Makes a huge difference when you imagine that if you showed to the dental office for a cleaning (like above), there was no one there. No one answered the phone calls. Nothing.  You'd try to find another office. right?

Wishing you Safe Journeys, ga_kosh

This is for both providers and hobbiest-

Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Stuff happens. Things change.
If you can't make an appointment. Let the other party know. Call, text, e-mail whatever contact method you have.
Be curtious, be an adult. Try to reschedule if possible. Don't just blow it off.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.

for the rest,
I prefer e-mail for initial contact. Sometimes the entire preliminaries are done via e-mail.
Phone sometimes, almost never txt except to get final instructions on way to appointment.

As far as speed of reply, as soon as your can... within reason.
Guys need to realize you have a life, you have other appointments. Stay up on your messages, but don't go crazy.
I've been to appointments where the girl was till taking e-mails and/or txts after i arrived and before i left. Be professional, if you are with a client, turn you phone on slient and close e-mail. Once i'm gone, try and catch up!
Treat others the way you want to be treated.


Does any of this help?

Well, we're about to get on a plane home, and I wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted and sent PMs. It was great to get your take on the questions...and the support has been really nice, too.

Thanks to all who made this such a fun trip. We have to go home now, but we are all looking forward to coming back. We really did have a great time.

Till next time...bye all!

Things do come up and both need to understand.  Text or phone calls at the last minute work best in my opinion.  However, a complete no show / no call when one is standing at the door and can hear movement inside is completetly unacceptable.  And unfortunately you have been guilty of that with me.  Common courtesy goes a long way.

Even if the requested appointment time has passed drop the gent a line if he did it by email or text.  It builds goodwill and shows that you acknowledge his interest.  I for one if I get no response from a provider  at all will move on under the assumption she is not interested in seeing me or isn't my cup of tea.

I know the ladies get a crap load of texts and emails that are just fishing so its also ok to push back or ignore the offenders.

-- Modified on 9/19/2011 9:58:19 AM