AIBU to think the dentist should have allowed me to postpone?

[ViaRia01]

Just wondering others’ views on my interaction with the dentists’ receptionist just now. It’s not really a big deal but wondering whether iabu

at 10:20am the receptiost phoned me to confirm my attendance for tomorrow 10:30. I double checked with her to cost and then asked is it already too late to postpone the appointment. She quickly said well yes it’s too late as it’s 24 hours. I checked the time and noticed that it’s technically more than 24 hours notice as it was not yet 10:30. I said ok, that’s fine, we’ll see you tomorrow 10:30. She very very quickly (and not particularly politely) said ok see you tomorrow bye, then hung up.

So I can and will go tomorrow. I want the check up and I can pay for it. It is all ok. I’d prefer to delay it a couple of weeks due to my own mid-budgeting this month but I know that isn’t their concern and if I haven’t rescheduled on time then so be it.

But…. It was (only just) more than 24 hours notice and so surely I should have been allowed to postpone. If I had made the phone call at the same time I don’t think they could/ would have argued it, but they phoned me (which I do also appreciate!)

I’m just wondering what others would have thought or done in this situation. I am trying to find a better balance at standing up for myself but without becoming too confrontational or fighting a losing battle if that makes sense. So:

YABU: appointment change request was not received in time and the receptionist is right to deny it.

YANBU: appointment change request was in time and should have been postponed.

@TheyGrewUp yes that’s a good point to be honest, I hadn’t really considered that there would likely be other calls incoming/ people standing in front of her. That does make me feel a bit better about the way she ended the call so abruptly

I agree with you OP - if they say they have a 24 hour cancellation policy they should honour it regardless of the circumstances. If they want at least one full working day’s notice they should say so.

Most people use common sense in a situation like this. Yes, there's a 24 hr cancellation policy, but that's really for people who've got family emergencies, illness, or possibly a work shift they've been called up to attend, which they can't really get out of easily.

The policy is not for those who just decide last minute 'oh I'm skint this week and can't afford it, so I'll just move the appointment further along to when it suits me'

The Dentist has a business to run, imagine if every patient just decides last minute that their appointment time doesn't 'suit' them at the last minute, because they've got money issues, and want to reschedule. Patients are supposed to work around the business, not the other way round,
You knew money was tight beforehand, so you should've budgeted for it or cancelled well in advance.