Sure Would’ve Been ‘Andy To Know That Sooner

I’ve been working with a graphic design company for a few months. Apart from the initial concept I provided, I think I’ve been in touch with them twice: once to approve a draft and again to confirm a revision, both times via email. It’s taken a long time, even with clear initial instructions and a very minor revision, so we are already late against their schedule.

My main contact, Andy, convinces me to go down to their office as they have the first test prints back from the printer. I don’t like taking the afternoon off work, but Andy tells me it will be worth it as they can rush through any changes needed.

Me: “I’m here to meet Andy.”

Receptionist: “Andy?”

Me: “Andy [Last Name].”

Receptionist: “We don’t have anyone who works here by that name, sir.”

Me: “What? How can that be? I don’t have my laptop with me, but look, I have an email on my phone. Look, Andy [Last Name].”

Receptionist: “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t call someone who doesn’t work here. Maybe try emailing them?”

Andy is always slow to answer emails and always makes an excuse when I ask for a phone number. With no other option, I emailed Andy and hoped they’d see it.

Twenty minutes later, the receptionist told me she didn’t know who else to call — it was a common last name and I guess she had too many to call all of them — and that I should probably leave. 

I wrote an angry email to Andy for wasting my time. Two hours later, I got a one-line apology. Andy is actually Andrea, but everyone knows her as Andy. She admitted that she “probably” should have let the receptionist know.

I got the prints eventually, and they didn’t have the revision we agreed on, so there was another delay.

I found another company to work with after that.