How long would you wait for a Pro to call you back before you move on?

[Egoolps]

I called a pro on Monday afternoon, left a message, and didn't hear back from him yet. It didn't say anything about him being on vacation.

I know in my job, if you don't return someone's phone call in 24 hours, you're probably going to lose a client.

Maybe it's different with golf pros? This would be my first lesson, so I'm wondering how long I should give him.

[ks8829]

call the shop and ask for him and try him again. then ask for referrals.

[klaymon]

Maybe I'm pretty impatient, but if I don't hear back by a couple of hours after the start of business the next day, I move on. If you really want this guy, bug the shit out of him regularly (call every few hours). Otherwise, mark him off the list and find someone that does want your business.

[opie]

I waited 3 days on a call back and then moved on. Pro called me a week later and I told him I had already found someone

[CarlSpackler]

Personally, I would give them a follow up call in case he/she lost the message since voicemail systems are not foolproof. If you don't hear back then, say la vie.

[CG031]

Ha. You think your situation was rought. Want to hear an interesting story about this? Here it goes.

Last summer, I started taking lessons. 5 lesson deal worth 175 dollars, pay him up front. I got two lessons in in about a month with the guy I was working with. I added about 10 yards of distance to each club, about 20 yards with the driver. Dropped my handicap down about 6 strokes with the lessons...

I try to get back in touch with him in 2009...I call him, he says sure, next week we will get together. That weekend calls, he doesn't even SHOW UP at the lesson. He doesn't call. Doesn't text me. Nothing.

So I call him back the next week. He has no recollection of having set up the lesson with me. So, I forgive him. He says we will do it on the upcoming Saturday. I call him on Saturday morning to make sure we are still on. He doesn't answer the phone...his voice mail is FULL. He doesn't even tell me he can not make it AGAIN. I got stood up AGAIN.

So, the next week. I repeat the process. He says for sure we will do something on Sunday. This time on Saturday afternoon I call him, he says he can no longer do it the following day. He says "Call me later in the week to set something up."

At this point, I lost it. Haven't seen/talked to him since. He's not worthy of my time any longer. He can keep his money he stole from me...I don't want to be waiting for him anymore. He still owes me the three lessons from the package I set up with him in the Summer of 2008. Guy is unbelievable. A helluva teacher/player when you can actually get him to help you with your game...

[TN94z]

I would call back. The teacher I am working with currently is always booked at least 3 weeks in advance. He is a very very busy man....he called back the next day.

[CarlSpackler]

Ha. You think your situation was rought. Want to hear an interesting story about this? Here it goes.

Nothing irks me more than someone not keeping an appointment without a legit emergency. I would ask for a refund and then file a complaint with the BBB if he doesn't make good. IMO

[steve8820]

I would give him 24-48 hrs to respond before moving on. However, I guess that really depends on where you live and how many teaching pros there are in your area. I live in Orlando and there are too many options available for instruction. If I left a message and did not receive a call back that day, I would assume they don't need the business

[RCF]

I prefer to meet the pro before scheduling a lesson. Better yet is observing the pro giving a lesson to someone else first.

[$2 Nassau]

You've already waited too long, move on.

[Egoolps]

Thanks for the responses.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a pro in the NW Suburbs of Chicago?