Precious clients

[Kyung]

So I get a phone call at 9:33 this morning. I'm going out the door, so I figure I'll pick up the message or call them back on the road.

Message: The job you're taking is for a really good client of mine. He's a personal friend. You have to be there, in his lobby waiting at 10:45.

The job is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

My first thought is this, are they having a lot of problems with late reporters? So I call the agency. Are you having a problem w/late reporters.

Agency: Oh, no. He's just a really good friend. I want you to be really nice to him, make a good impression.
Me: So there's not a problem w/me being late or anything.
Agency: Oh, no. This is just my directive to you.
Me. You know, I've worked for him before. I assume there wasn't a problem since you didn't get any complaints about me, did you?
Agency: Oh, no. I just spoke with him. We're going boating together and I just want to make sure that he's taken care of.
Me: Okay.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking am I going to be getting a call everytime I take a job for this agency regarding how I have to be nice to their clients. What kind of reporters are they using that they have to be told to be nice to the client? Note, this agency has called me before on other jobs. Oh, this client is special. They're a really good client. How am I supposed to know which clients are extra-special if you keep calling me telling me all your clients are you personal friends and they're special.

I mean, I don't kiss their butts or anything, but I think most attorneys that I have worked for like me. Outwardly, I treat them all the same - courtesy, respect, and I do my best to make sure they get an accurate, timely transcript. The thoughts in my head are my own.

I can kind of see it from her point of view. I would want any reporter that worked for me to be on time, be professional at the depo, and turn the transcript in on time. I think these are the minimums. I feel that I've delivered that to this agency.

But it kind of makes me nervous and not want to work for them if they're going to be "badgering" about being extra nice to their clients. It's not worth the stress.

BTW, I arrived half an hour. I usually arrive an half an hour to an hour early. In fact, some receptionist have commented on how early I arrive at the job. I say better early than late. And with SoCal traffic, you never know.

Long story short. Deponent needed interpreter. Interpreter not provided. Adjourned to be continued another day. Attorney asked me if I would be available, and he requested me for the second volume. So I guess I must have treated him okay.

Another aside, this attorney is really nice. That's probably the only reason I agreed to take a second volume w/him. In fact, he's one of the nicer attorneys I've worked for. She doesn't even really have to tell the reporter to be nice to him. Weird.

P.S. I have a bit of a contrary streak in me. I am more than polite on my own. But it just rubs me wrong when I am told to be nice. It makes me want to run amuck. I was able to control the impulse today.;p

[Elizabeth A. Willis-Lewis]

I completely agree with Judy. I have had those calls too where I am told that I must be extra good. It makes me want to show up late wearing jeans and flip-flops! haha.

[Kyung]

Judy,

I try to control the instinct. But it's hard.

[Judy]

Patricia,

Yeah, but something makes me think that Kyung doesn't have that much sarcasm in her. Play Wink

[Patricia Babits]

She might have left off the "let the sarcasm drip away" part. LOL

[Judy]

Patricia,

I don't think anybody's ever compared anything I've ever said or done to Miss Manners before :)

[Patricia Babits]

Judy, that sounds exactly like a Miss Manners answer!

[Judy]

Next time anybody says anything like that, your response: "All of your clients are special to me!" Yep, let the sarcasm drip away, too.

[Brenda Rogers]

Have at it, girl!

[Kyung]

Exactly. I assume that if you're sending me on this job, your client is good. Which in my book means, I will get paid. If your client is not good, which probably means in your book you're not getting paid, then hopefully you wouldn't keep sending them reporters to do work for which they will not be paid.

I know agencies are afraid of getting reporters who are bad. But I think it quickly becomes obvious if the reporter is bad - attitude, transcript, whatever. I'm sure the client complains. And I'm sure the agency will tell you if a client complains so that you don't do it again. But if I've been working for you and you're not getting complaints about me and I'm not late and no one's complaining about crappy trranscripts, then. . .

I don't know. I'm probably too sensitive. I'm sure it's nothing personal. I'm just annoyed by it. But, hey, it's a free country. I can be annoyed all I want.

[Brenda Rogers]

I totally understand! All my clients are "good" clients. I mean, what makes a *not* good client? If they weren't good to me, good about paying, I wouldn't be too worried about keeping them as a client. RIGHT?????