To think my client should leave me the fuck alone when I'm ill

[RocketQueenP]

I am Self employed. I'm off poorly today with a sickness bug so had to unfortunately cancel a brand new client. Not ideal I know but these things do occasionally happen.

Anyway since I text to let her know I was ill she has been hassling me by phone nearly all day. Both ringing and texting wanting to know when she can rebook and suggesting I come this Saturday. I dont even do weekends😩! Also I don't want to out myself by saying what I do but let's just say it ain't brain surgery and the world is not gonna end if she has to wait a few days.

Aibu or is this rude and weird? Btw I have politely explained that I don't do weekends and offered the one slot I have next week instead. Feel like telling her to just piss off as cba with the ball-ache. this just makes me think she will be someone I don't want to work for.

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

Why don't you just switch your phone off or let it go to voicemail?

[pluck]

How many times has she batted back your suggestion of the slot next week?

What about the approach of saying it would be irresponsible of you to treat her (is it massage, hairdressing, something like that?) while you are possible contagious?

[harderandharder2breathe]

Turn your phone off or at least ignore anyone except friends and family

[harderandharder2breathe]

Hope you feel better btw

[RocketQueenP]

A few Pluck but I'm very busy and unfortunately that's the only time I have but she seems to think I can just fit her in when she wants. I don't want to switch off my phone in case someone I do want to speak to rings plus I'm reading mn and fb on itI just think it's a matter of politeness to not keep hassling a poorly person!

[RocketQueenP]

And thanks x

[Arsenicinthesugarbowl]

YANBU. There's no telling some people. I have a tale to share! My DH (worked in finance then) was asked by someone at his fathers funeral (his dad died very unexpectedly and was only 52) how long it would take for their mortgage he was arranging to be approved. What made it worse was that they actually worked for the undertaker. How DH didn't punch him I'll never know.

[EarlGreyT]

You could be contagious until you're 48 hours clear of the sickness bug. If you're ill today you wouldn't be at least 48 hours clear on Saturday and therefore you shouldn't work on Saturday anyway.

I'm sure she will understand after all she wouldn't want to risk catching it from you would she?!

Hop you're feeling better soon.

[EarlGreyT]

*Hope you're feeling better soon, not hop!

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

Have you got a dedicated work mobile? If not you might want to consider getting one so you can turn it off when you're not working.

[CaptainHammer]

My DH has had clients like this, they always end up being hassle, not paying etc. He doesn't go to people if they're rude now.
Unless you desperately need her business I wouldn't go out of my way to accommodate her!

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

well, tbh I'd expect to get rebooked fairly promptly if you had cancelled so if you messaged without even attempting to make a new arrangement I'd be narked.

and possibly even find someone else to do whatever it is I wanted too, also think a text is pretty off for a business cancellation

obv you need to get better, but client is probably just trying to reschedule when it suits.

[LALALALALAND]

The joy of being a contractor/self employed. You cant be ill. You need to get contingency plans in place.

Of course you do weekends to catch up unless you want to lose a client and possibly others if word spreads!

Maybe you haven't got the right attitude to be self employed?

You want time off to be ill then get a PAYE job.

Sorry - harsh but true.

[angielou123]

Turn off phone til better, job done.

[thatdearoctopus]

OK, well you don't need to switch off your phone, but just don't answer calls from her number.

[RocketQueenP]

Thanks but been in business 6 years and pretty successful I pick and choose my clients not the other way round

That's disgusting re the DH who was being hassled after losing his ddad x

[RocketQueenP]

And yep captain hammer these "types"'clients do tend to be shit payers etc so maybe I'll just fuck her off

[MinnieMinchkin]

You can block her number and unblock when you're feeling better.

While I understand the sentiment regarding this not being the attitude for self-employment, I'm guessing you are not after building an empire so much as earning a living doing something you enjoy while maintaining a work life balance. If the latter is true and you don't need to chase down every last client I wouldn't worry too much about letting this one go.

Get well soon!

[TheoriginalLEM]

Oh God. Totally fuck her off. She is too high maintenance.

[BadKnee]

I am also self-employed. If I had to cancel I would text because it is immediate and follow-up with a polite e-mail explaining and offering alternative appointments. If I was not so ill that I couldn't speak I would call.

As a client I would expect a call and an offer of alternative dates or a clear message saying that I would get in touch on Xday and we could rearrange then.

If you are earning enough not to worry about the business - fine. If she is genuinely looking like one of those clients who is more trouble than they are worth then fair enough, tell her politely that you haven't got the availability or whatever.

[melj1213]

I think if you sent a message that at least stated when you were next free or when you would be free to reschedule (Dear NewClient, I am sorry to cancel but I'm ill so won't be able to fulfil your appointment today. I can reschedule you for that I have free next week or if that isn't convenient then I will call you at to arrange an appointment to better fit your schedule. Apologies RocketQueenP) , then YANBU

If it was me, I'd have made the initial call message and one reply and then asked that any further correspondance waited until you were "back in the office" so to speak ... if I got any further calls/messages I would have warned her that if she continues you will have to withdraw your services as you don't cater to people who cannot respect your request to not call again.

[beanfilledfish]

suggest she goes somewhere else? is it hairdressing?