Ouch - Just Too Pushy

Photo by Stephano Valle

I have a GREAT chiropractor. He is gentle, professional and best of all he gets results. The other thing that makes him great is that he explains what the "process" is going to deliver at the very beginning of the treatment. All in all, I think he is terrific but today, I seriously considered never going back again. Why? Because today his receptionist damaged the "relationship" I have with his practice. Now, don't get me wrong here, I am all for rebooking clients. As a matter of fact, I spend lots of my time teaching service providers to do just that, but today my chiro's receptionist went "over the line" and entered the very dangerous land of "just too pushy".


So, when does the rebooking process become too pushy and damage the relationship? Well let me relate my experience to you. When I went to pay for my service, the receptionist (I'll call her Mary to protect the guilty) suggested I book again for the following week. I politely explained to her that I was flying out of the country mid week and would most likely be time poor and that if I wanted an appointment, I would ring her to make one. Her reply to me was,"oh, I'll ring you on Monday then". I again repeated that I did not think I would have time to come back before my trip. To this, Mary replied "well we are very busy next week and the Chiro will be going to a seminar on Monday, so you had better book now". Once again, I said, thanks, but I didn't think I would have time. Having had just about enough, I turned to leave and her parting words to me were "We'll expect to see you on Tuesday then".

TOO MUCH!

Rebooking should always be done with honesty and integrity and with a genuine desire to do the best for the client. To me, this whole episode said "greedy" and "it's all about us - not about you".

I still haven't decided if I am going to go back or be like the majority of us Aussies and complain with my feet. What would you have done in my place?

Wishing you prosperity and peace of mind
Pam