Managing appointments
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
June 21, 2007 8:10am CST
When you have an appointment (at the dr, the salon, the school, basically ANYWHERE that you've been asked to show up at a specific time for a specific reason), do you call and cancel if you're not going to be able to make it? Do you call and let them know if you're running late? I can't count the number of times I've been waiting for my turn somewhere, only to be told that the person ahead of me hasn't shown up yet and that they are being given "5 more minutes." This really annoys me because I end up waiting even longer for my turn because of their tardiness.
I also know people who never show up on time for an appointment because they say the person they are going to see "is always running late and I don't feel like waiting." Of course, a dr could have an emergency or be overbooked, or a computer problem could slow down the line at another place, but people who deliberately show up late, so they theoretically won't have to wait, just cause a bigger problem.
I believe it's common courtesy (and respectful of others) to keep appointments and to call if you can't be there or will be late. If you get a flat tire on the way to an appointment and can access a phone, call and let them know that others should go ahead of you and ask to be moved down the list until you can get there. If you chicken out and aren't going to keep a dental appointment...*grin*... CALL and cancel. Am I the only one that thinks this makes sense??? LOL
4 people like this
7 responses
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
23 Jun 07
Once an appointment is made, I make sure I keep the appointment. I do not cancel just because something crops up and I change my appointment. I am committed to honour any appointment made, unless it is something urgent and warrants a higher priority over the appointment. At times, running late is inevitable, and I will call to inform I will be late once I know I will be late. If the person prefer to reschedule the appointment, I will normally agree to it.
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
Great point, whyaskq! It's not only a one-sided equation of what is happening to us; there is a person on the other side of that appointment who might have a jam-packed day and would prefer to see us at another time, rather than late. You sound very courteous :)
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
21 Jun 07
It depends. If there is a contact person, then I would likely call. Then again, I am almost never late for appointments. :P
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
Well, there you have it -- you're already being courteous ;)
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Many people feel it acceptable to call an appointment to alert them that they will be late. That person's slot should be given to the next person and when the tardy one arrives, they can go in the next slot. If they are running very late, they should reschedule. Many doctors offices will overbook for the very reason that it allows for the occasional missed or canceled appointment.
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
13 Aug 07
Well that would stink if your doctor made you wait for 5 minutes b/c someone else was late. My doctors definitely don't do that. If I'm at the eye doctor 5 mins early (I usually aim to get there early) and I sign in, they usually take me soon as my doctor is available. If the other person that was supposed to be before me hasn't signed in, then that's their problem. When that other person arrives and signs in, they now are stuck waiting for me b/c they were late.
I do agree some doctors make you wait forever b/c they seem to overbook OR seem to make appointments too close together. I deal with it though b/c I don't go to the doctor much, but it is annoying.
As far as calling, I almost never cancel, but if I am not going to make it I will call. My husband on the other hand won't always call. For some reason even a few times when he knew the day before that he had to miss an appointment, he wouldn't call! Now he does b/c I've taught him to :) But I guess for some people they just think it's no big deal not to show up. Oh well!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
14 Aug 07
Hi vivasuzi! Nice to see you! :)
Yep, the clinic where my doctor is happens to be out in the country, where I used to live, and I do find they tend to be more forgiving of people arriving a little late. I guess maybe, if it happens to me at some point, I'll appreciate it -- but I'm always early lol
Good for you on teaching the hubby about calling to cancel *grin* A little extra courtesy is always a nice thing :D
@tammyr (5945)
• Etowah, Tennessee
23 Jun 07
I think it only fair to call and let them know if there is any way possible to do so. I always have except fpr the day I showed up on the day after myappointment!LOL
I felt kind of foolish when she called me back up and said I was not on hte scheduale. I got my card out, and was upset that they had not put it in the computer! I told her look here is my card appointment on the 12th. She informed me that the date was the 13th and I had missed my appointment the day before!LOL
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
OMG!!! LOL I would have felt silly too, tammy, but I think we've all lost track of the time or date at least a few times. I don't think I've ever shown up for an appointment on the wrong day.... but that doesn't mean it'll never happen LOL!!
@wrdsofwisdm (1069)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I am one of those people that calls if I get caught by a freight train or if something delays me and I think I will be a few minutes late. It is inconsiderate to leave people hanging and to negatively impact someone's business. Like Wizzy, I am rarely late too. ;)
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
I love your reply (and your screen name!) wrdsofwisdm... it reminds me of a place that I worked for awhile on contract. There was a rail line that cross the street a short distance from the building and, if you didn't time it *just* right, you got stuck on the wrong side of the train, watching it creep along, while the time ticked away. I used to call the supervisor and she'd laugh because they knew the train was problematic for the start time of the shift I was on. I just felt better letting her know because, otherwise, I was never late.
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
16 Oct 07
I try to make it to all my appointments unless I am really, really sick. If I can't make it then I always call and cancel. I think it's kinda inconsiderate if you don't call and cancel since they could put someone else in your spot like at the dentist or hair salon, etc.. In fact, I always try to be early to my appointments.
