Rep. Blues

Twice today I had some interesting run-ins with doc. offices.

I called to confirm an appointment I had scheduled for Wed. Feb. 3rd at noon. Not all offices require appointments, but some do.

"Hi, This is Lisa with Pharmaceutical Specialties. I was just calling to confirm an appointment I made last week to speak with the doctor at noon Feb. 3rd"

"um...no...doesn't look like we have you down."

"oh...ok...that's strange..."

"let me double check something. Ok...we have you down for bringing lunch for the whole office."

"no, I wasn't told I needed to, but I can if that is a requirement"

"oh, I thought that is what Dr. K said"

I'm thinking...really? you asked the doctor about my possible appt. that didn't even exist a second ago and he told you only if I brought lunch I could come by? doubtful.

"Do you want me to ask him again?"

"sure." I'll play your little game.

"yeah, we have a special event that day, will Monday work?"

"actually, it won't. I'm so sorry, but I'm just in the area once a year and I planned my whole week around being in your area of Dallas on Wednesday for this appointment. Could you contact me if something changes?"

"yeah. I'll call if he changes his mind."

...and now I have to re-work my schedule. I also realized I planned an entire day filled with 8 stops to remember that I'm not flying out on Sunday, but on Monday so instead of visiting those doctors, I'll be on a plane. Where is my brain!? Maybe I lost it after getting enraged about an earlier conversation. I'll spare most details b/c reliving it even makes me mad...

I called to see about visiting one of our dispensers. They originally didn't say reps could come on Friday, but I was really trying to find stops for Friday morning and thought I'd call back to make sure.

The receptionist explains it's only T&Th. reps can come in the office, but puts me on hold to see if they can make an exception since they love our stuff and sell in the office. She returns to tell me that they can't and I ask her if I could still come in to see the nurses etc. even if I can't see the doctor. She tells me that she is the person that orders samples and the products to sell and she will be out of the office so no.

I politely try to get off the phone with her. "well, we will continue to send you everything through the mail. Thanks for your time"

"I'm not ready to get off the phone with you yet!"

"I'm sorry maam...what else can I do for you?" She's already told me no...i can't come by the office and I'm trying to tell her that that's ok.

"why didn't you give us more notice?"

"I'm sorry!?!?..." I'm not exactly sure what suburbs of Dallas I'll be in on what days until I dig further into my planning. The truth of the matter is Dallas is huge and it's impossible to cover all the docs. in that area in one trip so the fact that I planned to see them again (saw them last year) was only because the sell in the office. There are still docs. I didn't see last time and won't see this time b/c of various factors.

"well, you didn't book your tickets last week did you?" Seriously!?! She wants me to call when I book my tickets...and say what--I plan to be there sometime during the week, maybe. Keep in mind I'm driving 30 min. out of the way just for them...

She goes on..."what you can do is come by this office and treat us like you do every other client!" I promise you it was only the Lord that kept me from ripping this lady a new one.

"ok maam, I'll see what I can do"

"I'll tell Trish and Jennifer to be expecting you."

"sure...."

What a day....what a day.