At What Point For A Tour/Interview Is Considered Late?

[trix23]

At what point for a tour/interview is considered late and you won't do it?

15 minutes? 10 minutes? 30 minutes?

And what do you do if they attempt to call or incessantly ring the doorbell, etc? Do you ignore their calls or answer it and say they are late? Ignore all together? Leave the house after X amount of minutes, etc?

[Unregistered]

For me my cut off is 10 minutes because it is a little difficult and confusing to find my home. I do put in the email I send with my address prior to the visit that if they are late more than 10 minutes their visit will be canceled, but if they let me know with advance notice I will reschedule their visit. I haven't had a problem yet.

[childcaremom]

I give 15 mins. But it's the first strike against them. I need families to pick up on time and this is a sign that they aren't punctual and don't value my time.

Of course, I give them the benefit of the doubt. Traffic: maybe. Lost: maybe. But I will look carefully at the rest of the interview to see if anything else seems off.

After 15 minutes, I assume they are a no show and get on with my day. If they showed (I've never had this happen btw) I would just tell them I'm sorry I won't be able to continue our interview as I have another one scheduled shortly.

[trix23]

Our pediatrician's office gives 15 minutes so I may go with that.

[Blackcat31]

I could be totally wrong but I've always been taught anything more than 15 minutes for ANYTHING is a no show.
1-14 minutes is late....15 is unacceptable.

Communication when running late would make ALL the difference to me though.... just showing up late without any form of contact is rude and probably a red flag but if they are running late and communicate about it (before or during) then I'd be much more willing to over look it.

[Ariana]

The one family that came 10 min late with no warning ended up being turned down for the spot for failure to communicate promptly. They were a mess!

I am ok with lateness if I get a heads up and an apology but I would never accept someone who was 30 min late!!

[DaveA]

Communication when running late would make ALL the difference to me though.... just showing up late without any form of contact is rude and probably a red flag but if they are running late and communicate about it (before or during) then I'd be much more willing to over look it.

Bingo. I'm more likely to overlook someone 30 min late who let me know they were running late and when they will arrive than someone who shows up 15 min late like it's nothing.

[trix23]

Thank you for the wisdom. I'll be putti g it in my addendum

[lovemydaycare0912]

I allow up to 15 mins. Preferably with a heads up. After that, it's a no go.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I won't conduct an interview starting at 11 minutes late. I also won't reschedule a new interview for them. Mine are only 30 minutes long...that's missing 1/3 of the interview time!

All of this is told to them prior to it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

The one family that came 10 min late with no warning ended up being turned down for the spot for failure to communicate promptly. They were a mess!

I am ok with lateness if I get a heads up and an apology but I would never accept someone who was 30 min late!!

That's always been my experience with late arrivals.
Since I add a note about late or missed arrivals not being rescheduled my interviews all seem to arrive 5+ minutes early. ::

[CityGarden]

I have interviews during drop off now so I can easily see if they are morning people, if they are prompt, respectful of my time etc. it is very telling.....

[hwichlaz]

generally 15 min, but it's easy to get lost on the way to my house and we have spotty cell coverage here, so I give them up to 30 min.

[trix23]

That's always been my experience with late arrivals.
Since I add a note about late or missed arrivals not being rescheduled my interviews all seem to arrive 5+ minutes early. ::

How do you word what you say to them?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

How do you word what you say to them?

"This time is reserved especially for your family. Please provide no less than 3 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Barring extenuating circumstances, missed or late arrivals will not be rescheduled."