I understand that "shit happens" (pun intended), for either party. But time is money, for both parties. I understand her time is valuable, so I do my utmost to arrive 5-10 minutes early just so I AM there. In a number of cases, I'll send her a personal message that I'm en-route (and some have sent me
reminders, no doubt due to my age). But my time is also valuable and with limited windows, I do have alternate
targets. If she's a regular, she has more leeway, but then, if she's a regular, she KNOWS (personal direct contact) I've booked her, so she'll do her best to meet OUR schedule. If she's an unknown, less leeway and I'm more likely to bail after 15-20. Then it's a win-win; she gets a respite and I'm on my way to an alternate
oasis.
Communication is key. If she lets me know she's running late, I can alter my schedule if possible (or let her know I can't). Same for the shop. If the shop lets me know what's going on, OK. But when you're just left sitting in a room,
hanging, that's disrespectful.
Personally, I've experienced everything from
- "Sorry, I'm sick so will not be working today" (even as I was en-route, but very much acceptable)
- "Please delay your arrival by 15 minutes due to the previous customer arriving late" (no problem)
- "Go ahead and shower, she'll be ready in 10 minutes". After a shower and 20 minutes, I asked where she was. "She said she's on her way but she's not here yet. I've tried, but she's not answering her phone". Bail, but I wished the shop would have been more up front initially.
- At the front desk, "Sorry, this is her first day, she's not here and she'd not answering our calls." Bail (and she never showed up for work).