Background: I do some consulting on the side from time to time – custom development work, administering a network, that sort of stuff. Nothing big.
So, in the past three weeks, I’ve had the exact same scenario happen to me. I’m starting to suspect the Villain in all three is the same guy. I’ve never met him and I don’t know his name, so I’ll call him Lazy Consultant (L.C.).
Here’s the scenario: call comes in from total stranger. “I hear you do computer work? So-and-so says you maintain their <whatever>.” Yes… yes, I do. “Well, we’ve got this <spreadsheet/database/application/whatever> that’s not working right. Our regular guy is too busy to come fix it. Can you come take a look at it?” Sure thing! So we set up an appointment.
And then, the morning of the appointment (like today) I give them a courtesy call, just to make sure they know I’m coming, that sort of thing. “Oh! I’m sorry! We forgot to call you back and cancel. We told our regular guy that we had someone else coming in and suddenly he was able to fit us in.”
Imagine my surprise. I wish I knew who L.C. was for certain, because if nothing else I’d offer to partner with him. Assuming it’s only one person, of course.
Heck… if I could figure out a way to cash in on my mad motivational skillz, I think I’d have a business model…
Since this is MPSIS I must comment on the thread title and user name.
Welcome to the world of IT for what it’s worth. I’ve had that happen many times.
[shrugs]
Not to discount your frustration…
Been there, still doing it.
Next time, could they just bluff and get the same results without bothering you? Not to take anything away from your mad motivational skillz, you understand.
I dunno. I’m thinking what I really need to do is charge them for it. “Your regular guy just doesn’t have time for you, hmm? Well, tell you what: cut a check to me, and then you can call him up and tell him I’m showing up to fix his problems. He’ll be here in a flash!”
Of course, I don’t know how I can convince them to pay me for this ‘service’… but if I can get past THAT hurdle, I’m rich!
Well people don’t always think these things through, so when they’re ‘booking’ you, tell them about your cancelation charges. Then turn up without confirming the apointment and you get free money! (Well, almost free. You still gotta go there)
I read here on the dope in some nail-salon thread that some people would feel comfortable paying 100% of the fee despite not using your sevices.
