Part of what I do is straight airline tickets; from here to there and back, or a bit more complex. Many of you do these reservations with that 2 by 4 inch object in your pocket and some on your computer. There are so many good reasons not to…. Here is a short story from a client who calls me:
“Two hours before I was to leave for Logan for the first leg of my flight to Istanbul….CLUNK! ……the crown on my right eye tooth fell on my breakfast plate….PANIC!….put tooth in plastic cup, jump in the car, dial the dentist and then dial Harriet!! No problem, she says! PHEW! She is “at the ready” to shift my first flight (with time to make my connection!) and tells me to get a letter from the dentist re: my dental emergency…on letterhead. I followed her advice and my prepaid two week tour of Turkey was saved! Thanks, Harriet, for saving me!!” – Anne
I have lots of these stories to tell. It is not only teeth that fall, but snow from the sky! Inclement weather causes system-wide havoc in the airline industry. Being able to call me is a real advantage and often well worth the planning fee.
Here is another story… someone who did not call:
“Since you were away on vacation, I thought that rather than call your back-up people, I’d try to make the reservations myself. It took me a looooong time, since I’m inexperienced. Finally got flights via Chicago (?!?)–and the return flight would have left NC at 6 a.m. I wasn’t happy, but signed on. BUT–then came The Snowstorm! Frantic e-mailings with all the relatives and friends planning to attend my brothers funeral– from New York City, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Everyone was snowed in and our flights were cancelled.
(Now you are home) I discovered that because you hadn’t made the ticket reservations– –you can not cancel for me and get a proper refund. Great Unhappiness.
So I asked you to book my flights for the next weekend–which you did in a matter of seconds! And the flights went through Charlotte, not Chicago. And my departure times were at reasonable hours! Unbelievable! And by the way, those extra hours in NC were particularly worth while–not just a matter of sleeping a little longer, but a chance for a good conversation with a relative I rarely see. It all went so smoothly! I’ve learned my lesson–in the future I’ll always rely on you!” – Janet
So for snow, teeth, and cancelled meetings, my being a quick call away will make your life a lot easier. If I am not at my desk, there is an afterhours number you can call any time: 1-888-567-9406.
Make your life easier and call me! 617-588-4246
AlwaysHarriet 