Discussion»Questions»Business» Someone fails to show up for a scheduled appointment with you: how many minutes should you wait before moving on to the next person? ~
If they were coming from outside and I did not have to be anywhere else I would give them a half hour. Because traffic in Eastern MA is congested and can be very slow. But most of my meeting are group meetings and if people are not there we begin anyway and fill them in when they arrive. This is at work. My friends would call me if they were going to be late.
I wouldn't move on until it was too late to do whatever needed doing during the appointment. Yesterday, I was very miffed with my trainer. I was not even a minute late and when he didn't see me, he went to assist someone who wanted to learn how to use a machine. I lost several minutes of my appointment waiting for him. This was my time and my money and I don't think it is acceptable.
(((((You want me to cut him for you? I can get brass knuckles. How about slashing all four of his tires, or short-sheeting his bed? I can put salt in his coffee. Wait, what if I replace his hair gel with silly putty? Let me know; I'm ready to avenge you at a moment's notice.)))))
I'm assuming you mean something like an interviewee who's late and thee are other people waiting to be interviewed. I would wait 15 minutes. Anything more than that may cause those waiting to be late to other appointments.
I would not move on. If I carved an hour out for them I would give it to them, present or not, and send them a bill for my hourly rate. I don't require a 24-hour cancellation time frame but I do require the respect of a phone call. If I'm going to be late I notify. That is decent.
Jane S 