Setting an Appointment in Canada

Appointments are usually made in advance so that the slot of someone's time is reserved.  The one who made the appointment will cross out the date in his/her calendar.

We know that there are instances such as emergencies or sudden change of schedules may occur and the worst thing is, if it happens on that appointment date.  It can be a valid excuse, but there should be notifications in advance. We are in a society where there are different ways to inform each other, such as text message, email or phone call.

This post is to remind people that time is important to everyone.  The level may be different, but still is precious.  You may take someone's time for granted thinking that it's just his/her time anyway, but that should not be the case.

In Canada, time is important, we are paid by an hour.  Make it a point that when you schedule an appointment with someone whether he/she is a service, delivery guy or a salesman, you must be there at an agreed time and place.  If you can't make it, a simple message to inform the person involve so he/she can adjust accordingly.

On my previous post, Educate Yourself in Financial and Investments in Canada,  where I stated that I had coordinated with the Financial Advisers in Ontario,  I clearly wrote in the appointment form that a Financial Advisor will contact you based on your preferred media. You can see the form here.

If you filled up the form, it only means that you are open for an appointment with an advisor.  If you made one, make sure that the advisor is well informed in advance if something popped up or you had changed your mind.

A simple excuse message will do:

" Sorry Mr. or Ms. Advisor, we can't make it at the agreed time of the appointment because we need to go to a doctor."

 " Hi Mr. or Ms. Advisor, can we reschedule the appointment to this day, because something very important came up?"

If you are no longer interested or something prompt you that changed your mind, an honest message will do:

" Sorry Mr. or Ms. Advisor, I'm no longer interested about your FREE financial literacy.  Please cancel our appointment."

These excuses are no big deal for the advisors.  At least there are feedbacks coming from you.  There are no bad excuses. It's better to have one than no replies or zero messages at all.

Why am I saying this?

Financial Advisors are professional people. They are licensed by the Financial Services Commission in Ontario.  If you feel that there's a fraudulent act from them, you can report them immediately to the government.

You have to understand that they are also busy individuals.  A certain appointment set for them will ignore others that comes in.  They will set that date for you and that makes you a very important person.

You may say that "It's part of their job!".  We all know that, but would it be great to respect their time as well?

Tips for Making an Appointment with an Advisor:
1. Talk to them clearly.
2. If you are not interested, tell them straight to the point.
3. For the Financial Advisors, a date is a date, unless an emergency comes up.
4. If you are no longer available on that date, postpone it.
5. Leave messages.

Everyone has the right to be respected.