Schedule and crew
Let the next customer know before you are late
A morning job ran long and the next customer is waiting. Text CrewBuddy who is next and roughly how late you will be. It writes a short note with a new arrival time for you to send.
Fictional example.
Text it like this
Fictional example.
Send it before the time you promised
A note 30 minutes before the arrival time gives the customer a choice: wait, step out, or move the visit. A note after the time has passed only says you are late. CrewBuddy keeps the draft short so you can send it from the truck in a few seconds.
If the delay pushes into the next job too, it says so and offers a second draft for that customer. You decide whether to move the later job or shorten the day.
Your words, your number
The draft uses the name you go by with customers and the way you usually write, from the messages you shared at setup. It never makes up a reason. If you only say “running late,” the text says the job is running long and nothing more. You send it from your own phone, so the customer replies to you.
For a whole day that has to move, use the rain delay recipe. The tomorrow check helps you catch a tight day the night before.
Sources: Google Calendar Help: sync your calendar (secret iCal address)
What you send
Who is next and about how late you will be. CrewBuddy finds the time and address on your calendar.
What CrewBuddy prepares
A two or three sentence text with the reason, a new arrival time and a question that lets the customer say if it no longer works.
What to keep in mind
Give a time you can really keep. CrewBuddy adds the delay you tell it to the time on the calendar and does not know about traffic.