I have avoided going to the doctors for ages, way before the health crisis, but I finally made an appointment for a physical consultation as I have been told I am high-risk. I am not at all worried, but they keep sending me messages!

I am there on time but there are two people in front of me and it takes me ten minutes to speak to a receptionist.

Receptionist: “You’re ten minutes late.”

I am irked by her facial expression and tone, not to mention having to wait because a man talked to another receptionist for at least ten minutes being told repeatedly, “They probably won’t do that for you.”

Me: “Why do you think that is?”

She’s taken aback.

Receptionist: *Mumbles* “I don’t know.”

Me: “I have been standing in the queue having to listen to some bloke wasting everyone’s time.”

She didn’t know how to deal with my lateness on the computer and turned to a colleague. I could hear them say that I would have to wait for the next available time or rebook.

I didn’t want to be there in the first place, so I swanned out, telling them as much.

I am not a patient person and especially not with people who blame the service user. I will delete their texts for a few months and rebook when I feel I have gathered sufficient patience to try again. 

I get a voicemail from my dentist’s office saying that I have an outstanding bill and to call them right away. This is odd because the last time I saw them, all that was done was a routine cleaning and I paid a copay at the visit. I’m not looking forward to the call since the receptionist is frequently rude.

Receptionist: “[Dentist]’s office, this is [Receptionist].”

Me: “Hi, [Receptionist], this is [My Name]. I’m returning the call I received from you about a bill.”

Receptionist: “It’s about time you called! Do you know how much you owe?!”

Me: “No, I never received a bill in the mail.”

Receptionist: “It’s $700. Get your credit card so we can take care of this.”

Me: “Wait, what?! $700 for a cleaning? Is that with insurance?”

Receptionist: *Smugly* “You didn’t have insurance. So, how are you planning on making the payment? I can take a credit card number right now.”

Me: “Yes, I do have insurance. It needs to be run again.”

Receptionist: “The insurance I have on file didn’t go through. You owe us $700.”

Me: “Is that with the old insurance or the new one I provided you with when I came in?”

Receptionist: “Uh, what?”

Me: “Was it [Old Insurance] or [New Insurance]?”

Receptionist: “It was [Old Insurance].”

Me: “That one isn’t current anymore.”

Receptionist: “Well, you didn’t give a new insurance when you were here, so now you owe us $700.”

Me: “No. I have insurance and I did give you the new insurance. I’d be more than happy to provide you the insurance information and have you run that again before making any payments.”

Receptionist: “I guess that’s the only option you’re giving me?”

Me: “Yes.”

She begrudgingly takes the information, asking for it in a very nasty tone.

Receptionist: “Fine, I did what you want. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Me: “Yes, actually. Cancel my next appointment.”

Her attitude suddenly changes.

Receptionist: “Oh, uh, can I ask why?”

Me: “Because I never want to deal with you again.”

Sure enough, the $700 bill disappeared once sent through the correct insurance company.

Related:
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 12
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 11
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 10
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 9
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 8

I am on Medicaid for a short time during college. When leaving the doctor’s office, I ask if there’s anything I owe and they tell me no. A few months later, I receive a bill in the mail from the doctor’s office for $3, along with instructions on how to pay it online. When I go online, the site tells me it won’t accept payments under $10, so I call their office.

Me: “I received a $3 bill from your office but it won’t accept the payment online since it’s under $10. Can I pay over the phone?”

Receptionist: “No, we don’t accept payments under $10 over the phone, either.”

Me: “Can I mail you the money, then, or drop it off during off-hours? My work schedule doesn’t work with your hours of operation.”

Receptionist: “No, it has to be in person.”

Me: “You’re only open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. I work from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and only have a thirty-minute break. My workplace is a thirty-minute drive from your office. Are you really giving me no other option than asking for time off to drive an hours’ worth to pay $3?”

Receptionist: *Long pause* “I’ll waive the fee.”

I tell every boss I’ve ever had that I am not a morning person. No one ever believes me as I seem upbeat and chipper in the mornings, usually due to tons of caffeine and my “work persona.” There’s also a huge disconnect with my brain in the morning because I sleep like I’m dead. I usually don’t answer my phone in the morning cause I don’t hear it

I somehow answer the phone when it rings early one morning on my day off.

Me: “’Ello?”

Receptionist: “Hey, [My Name], I know it’s your day off, but you have a client in here to talk to you.”

Me: “What?”

Receptionist: “You have a client in here. Do you want to come in?”

Me: “I don’t… Why?”

Receptionist: “Oh, hang on. Here’s your boss. He needs to talk to you.”

Me: “Uhh…”

Boss: “Hey, [My Name], I know it’s early and your day off, but one of your clients showed up. Would you be able to come in and help them out? If not, I can flip it to one of the other client advisors.”

Me: “Wait, who is this?”

I start to actually wake up.

Boss: “This is [Boss]. Do you want to come in?”

Me: “Why would I come in?”

Boss: “Because your client is here?”

Me: “Oh… Yeah, no, I just woke up.”

Boss: “I can tell. I’ll get someone to help them.”

Me: “Awesome, bye.”

I remembered literally the very last part of this conversation and ended up calling my boss after I actually woke up. He was laughing so hard at how I was and how I couldn’t remember anything that had happened. It was used as an illustration that I needed to have coffee or an adequate amount of time before having a conversation.

I started a small company with a friend. As it started to do well, we hired some staff, and eventually, we had to move into a proper office. After a few years, an opportunity to open a second site became available. I spent my time between the two sites for a while, and then almost exclusively at the second, getting it up and running.

It was a lot of work and I worked some stupid hours, but it would be worth it when it took off properly.

I arrive at the first site to catch up with the other owner around midday, and I’m ignored by the receptionist who then tuts at me when I grab a coffee. I make my way inside and to the office.

Me: “What’s the new receptionist’s problem?”

Co-Owner: “Oh, her. Yeah, she has been skating on thin ice for a while. I’m just waiting for the recruitment agency to call back to find a replacement.”

Me: “Good. Can’t have potential customers facing that.”

Co-Owner: “Did I tell you about the complaint?”

Me: “No?”

Co-Owner: “She was adamant about it and threatened to go to the papers, of all things. Made a right scene and wouldn’t let it go.”

Me: “What was the complaint about?”

Co-Owner: “You! She said it’s not fair how you come and go as you please, taking the coffee.”

Me: “The cheek. I pay for the bloody coffee for the staff, and does she get that I work sixty-hour weeks?!”

Co-Owner: “I tried to explain. You can see why we want to get rid of her.”

Me: “Please let me break the news to her.”

The agency found us a temp that could start in a few days. I made the trip specifically to handle the old receptionist. She tried to argue with me before she knew what the meeting was about. We gave the temp a full-time role as they got to grips so quickly.

Related:
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 11
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 10
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 9
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 8
A Most Unreceptive Receptionist, Part 7