opinions please? -- making appointments

[DocRafiki]

If you were a receptionist at a dentist's office, and someone called saying they'd like a morning appointment after 10:00...

would you offer them the 10:00 appointment, or would you offer them the only other available appointment, which is 2:30?

 

[Manda1219]

I'd tell them the only morning appt. available is AT 10, as 2:30 is not in the morning-but if 10 isn't good, make the offer of 2:30

 

[Pin Wizard]

I would let her know both times. Maybe 2:30 is too late and she can rearrange to make 10.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I think it depends on how deparate the caller wants to see the dentist. Maybe she can make the 10 or 2:30, but maybe she really needs something after 10 but before noon, something for which I'm guessing is not immediately available. Offer the 10 first, let her know the 2:30 is the only other time available on such short notice.

 

[tigercat]

Sometimes I will say after 10 meaning that 10 would be okay but nothing before that, so give the option they can always say that wouldn't work. Unfortunately with some people it really won't matter what you say, they might be unhappy with it anyway.
tigercat

 

[DocRafiki]

Ok, I was the caller in this scenario. I see that I could have been more precise by saying "10 or later," but I really thought that "after 10" would include the 10:00 slot. I mean, if I already had something to do AT 10, wouldn't it be silly to say I could come "after 10:00," as if they were supposed to know how long after 10 I meant? The woman just acted like I was stupid or something when I said I'd take the 10:00 slot (she first said the only after 10 she had was 2:30). I mean, 10:00:01 until 10:15 (if it's a 15 minute time slot) is after 10:00, right?

 

[Nutsy]

I'd offer them the 10.00 am appt & tell them that the next vacancy is not till 2.30pm.

Should neither be suitable, I'd then look to see when there was a morning appt avail at a suitable time.

 

[disykat]

I would have offered the 10 first, assuming they meant they were available starting at 10.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Ok, I was the caller in this scenario. I see that I could have been more precise by saying "10 or later," but I really thought that "after 10" would include the 10:00 slot. I mean, if I already had something to do AT 10, wouldn't it be silly to say I could come "after 10:00," as if they were supposed to know how long after 10 I meant? The woman just acted like I was stupid or something when I said I'd take the 10:00 slot (she first said the only after 10 she had was 2:30). I mean, 10:00:01 until 10:15 (if it's a 15 minute time slot) is after 10:00, right?

"After 10" tells me you're committed elsewhere prior until 10.