no-shows

[Wimblees@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 8/4/99 11:36:35 PM !!!First Boot!!!, nadlane@earthlink.net 
writes:

<<  I don't want clients who have no respect for my time!  However, the long 
and short of it is that blown appointments are part of the business, cost us 
money and introduce stress into our lives.  >>


We have to keep in mind that not all customers think of a piano tuning as the 
most important thing in their life. Although it is rude not to be there, 
there are times when the customer has more important things on his or her 
mind than being home for an appointment. 

In one instance the customer called me back two weeks later and apologized 
for not being home. It turned out she had a heart attack the night before, 
and forgot to call me to cancel the appointment. Imagine that, forgetting to 
cancel a piano tuning appointment because you on your way to the hospital 
with a heart attack. What will she think of next? :)

Yes, no shows are an inconvenience, but I certainly don't allow them to make 
me mad, much less stress me out. Give the customer the benefit of doubt, and 
allow her to reschedule, without the extra charge. If you charge her extra, 
you might make a few extra bucks off her, but you'll loose her in the long 
run, not to mention all of the recommendations she could have given. 

Willem Blees