A Stitch In Time

(I`m a veterinary nurse, and answering phones on a Tuesday.)

Me: ¨Hello, [Clinic].

Caller: ¨Hello, I have an appointment at four on Thursday to remove stitches on my dog, and I want to change it to tomorrow at the same time.¨

Me: “Sure, let me just check if we have an appointment available at four tomorrow.¨

(I check and see that we don’t have any available at four, but that we may squeeze him in with another appointment about 30 minutes later, if he insists.)

Me: “I’m sorry, but it seems we don’t have any available at that time.¨

Caller: ¨No, I have to do it tomorrow! The operation cost me 10000kr -” *about $1206* “- and I demand to get an appointment at four! I’m a doctor and this is unacceptable! I’m going out of town and I’m a doctor so I know this can’t wait!¨

Me: ¨I`m really sorry, but we don’t have any appointment available at that time. If you want, I can check with the vet if it’s okay to squeeze you in with another appointment about 30 minutes later.¨

Caller: ¨NO! I demand an appointment at four! I paid so much for this operation that i should get an appointment when it fits ME!”

Me: ¨As I said, I can check with the vet if it’s okay for her that we try to fit you in. Let me just put you on hold for a sec.¨

Caller: *Interrupts me as I’m about to ask the vet* ¨NO! I demand to get an appointment at four tomorrow, and I will be there at that time! Goodbye!¨ *click*

(He shows up at four the next day, and after waiting for about five minutes, getting more and more annoyed for every minute passing, he then walks up to the reception, where I’m sitting.)

Customer/Caller: ¨Why is it taking so long! I had an appointment at four!”

Me: ¨No, you actually don’t. I tried telling you on the phone yesterday that we didn’t have an appointment available at four, but you insisted on coming anyway. I have notified the vet that you are here, but you will have to wait until she has a free moment between patients who actually have an appointment. Please take a seat over at the tables and wait.¨

(He walked over to the tables and sat there shooting angry looks at me until it was his turn. He ended up waiting for about 30 minutes. I was really tempted to tell him that since he is a doctor, he could just remove the stitches himself.)