I have had this happen more then once, especially when I have back to back groups. I have learned to flex the program, not my time, to accomodate tardyness. Stick to your guns on time frames and make sure the visiting group knows that ahead of time.
A nice letter stating your dissapointment and sorry that you missed them kind of thing would do the trick. Then ask what you could do for them in a future visit indicating to them your wanting for them to come back.
Often, deposit $'s are not available for schools and this can actually become a barrier to coming. However, if you do charge, keep the deposit with no regrets.
DeAnna Pearl
>From: "Jill P. Dixon" <
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>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <
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>To:
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>Subject: Re: Visitor Services Question (gripe)
>Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 15:04:33 -0500
>
>Please post replies on line - we have had this happen also with school
>tours and home-school groups.
>
>I am also wondering what you do when a group shows up more than 10
>minutes late for a special program? It can create havoc for us to try
>to accommodate when our volunteers expect to leave "at 11:30" as opposed
>to 11:40!
>
>In the same boat, we do not charge. We always send out confirmation
>letters, etc.
>
>Jill Dixon
>
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