Revenge of the Irked Consumer
I recently made an appointment for an optical exam with the intent of ordering a new stock of contact lenses and, if there was still money to drain from my medical savings account in 2007, a new pair of glasses.
The person answering the telephone was rude, abrupt and clearly pissed off at something. She didn't inquire what services I was needing so much as demanded an explanation of why I was calling. When she mumbled a question about my insurance, she raised her voice and over-enunciated each syllable to telegraph her displeasure. When we completed the appointment booking and I said thank you, she simply hung up: no thanks, no have-a-nice-day platitude or even a good-bye.
To say I was pissed off was a bit of an understatement but I decided to sit on the issue for 24 hours to regain my composure; reacting precipitously in the emotion of the moment is rarely a good idea. Perhaps there was some rational explanation of which I wasn't aware. Perhaps when I came back to this issue, I'd see it in a different and not quite so serious light.
Then again, perhaps not.
Today, I telephoned another optometrist who participates in my vision insurance plan and made an appointment without difficulty or annoyance --as it should be. I then called the original optometrist and asked them courteously to cancel my appointment.
I couldn't tell if the person to whom I was speaking was the same person as when I made the original appointment so I didn't feel it appropriate to make any comment or mention of the earlier experience. I am, however, writing a letter to the doctor in question to explain my action. He can't fix a situation in his office unless he knows about it, and for all I know he doesn't have a clue. I will then update my address book with a note not to contact this office ever again.
The person answering the telephone was rude, abrupt and clearly pissed off at something. She didn't inquire what services I was needing so much as demanded an explanation of why I was calling. When she mumbled a question about my insurance, she raised her voice and over-enunciated each syllable to telegraph her displeasure. When we completed the appointment booking and I said thank you, she simply hung up: no thanks, no have-a-nice-day platitude or even a good-bye.
To say I was pissed off was a bit of an understatement but I decided to sit on the issue for 24 hours to regain my composure; reacting precipitously in the emotion of the moment is rarely a good idea. Perhaps there was some rational explanation of which I wasn't aware. Perhaps when I came back to this issue, I'd see it in a different and not quite so serious light.
Then again, perhaps not.
Today, I telephoned another optometrist who participates in my vision insurance plan and made an appointment without difficulty or annoyance --as it should be. I then called the original optometrist and asked them courteously to cancel my appointment.
I couldn't tell if the person to whom I was speaking was the same person as when I made the original appointment so I didn't feel it appropriate to make any comment or mention of the earlier experience. I am, however, writing a letter to the doctor in question to explain my action. He can't fix a situation in his office unless he knows about it, and for all I know he doesn't have a clue. I will then update my address book with a note not to contact this office ever again.