Professionals

[Karen] This is an update to my post from September 10th. I had met Fred for the first time that day at his office where he does the books for a computer sales company in Harrison. I had accepted the recommendation because where he works, he supposedly works for a real estate developer and so I thought he was capable of handling anything that I could possibly bring to him. Prior to April 15th, we had spoken on several occasions and he had filed an extension for me. At this point when we were going to finally meet, it was time to get down to serious business to be ready to make the October 15th deadline.

Well, let me first reiterate that he was recommended by a very, very good friend. For this reason, I waited a suitable amount of time before I posted my reaction to what occurred on September 30th, which is in fact this post. If I seem calm, I am now. Of course, you or Fred would not have wanted to be in my office on September 30th but now, I have had the time to calm down.

I will take you back a moment and remind you that my first and last appointment with Fred had concluded by Fred taking some important documents from me in an effort to clarify how one aspect of my taxes should be handled. Yes, I know, I should have ran at that point but again, Fred was highly recommended. Also, my companies investment properties are out of state and not every accountant would be expected to know the details of what I brought for him to decipher. At least that is what I told myself. In hindsight, I think that the poor man was dazed, confused and overwhelmed. Or maybe he was just dazed, confused and dim. I drift.

When we ended our first meeting on September 9th, Fred told me that he had to find out how to handle my particular situation but that he knew exactly who to speak to and that he would call me. I should have ran but when you have so little time, you make allowances. My mistake going forward was believing him and expecting him to behave in a professional manner. I was wrong in my assumption, dreadfully wrong.

On September 29th, almost three weeks later, I had an appointment at another company in Harrison and although I wanted to call Fred and maybe stop by for a moment while I was in town, my appointment ran late and so I had to leave and proceed directly to another meeting. After all, we sat down on September 9th and he said that he was going to call when he had answers, I thought that he just wasn't ready but that everything would be just fine.

Should I have assumed that he would not live up to his word on something so simple as a return call? On September 30th, I called his office and when he picked up the phone he led with "I was going to call you". Actually, yes, he had been like this since before April, never ever actually calling when he said that he was going to call but again, his work was highly recommended and in my mind, I can see it will take a little work just dealing with him but he is supposed to be very good. As he spoke, it was with a weak, muttering tone and so I knew I was in trouble. He proceeded to hem and haw and beat around the bush until he finally said what anyone in my position would never have expected or wanted to hear. "I have no time to do your taxes." Can you believe it? Among other questions, one of my most obvious was when was he planning to call and tell me. After all, half of the time we had been communicating since before he filed my extension I was "waiting" for him to call when he was ready.

As I sat on the other end of the phone listening to him mumble and stammer as he attempted to answer my questions on how he could do this, I could only think of what a terrible business man Fred turned out to be. Fred mailed my documents, which I received a couple days later. Any decency would have brought him to the realization that he should have sent them overnight but again, what could I possibly expect from him at this point and I knew that I could not go to pick them up the next day so this was the next best alternative. Would I have wanted to see him anyway? I think not.

What has this reinforced in me? To remain a professional in my word and deed. To never treat anyone in this manner. If I need to simplify my business and personal life so that I can always do what I say when I say that I will, that is what I need to do. There is a saying that we have all heard, treat others as you would want to be treated. We may not be able to keep the "Fred's" from crossing our paths but at least if we are professional in manner, there will not be someone posting a note saying that we are the "Fred" who crossed their path.