As ashamed as I am to even admit this story actually happened I feel compelled to do so just so I can tell future clients how not to be an asshole. Did they have fun, maybe? (Probably). I cannot say for sure because right after I gave them each a voucher for a free hotel room saving them each $80.00 I never saw them again.
How this happened was a complete surprise to me, but I had bad feeling about this one so maybe I was not so caught off guard. You see the client was not happy because the promised limousine ride from the border did not happen. That said I guess almost anyone would have some what of an equal dissatisfaction. However, after I explain how the limousine ride failed you will surely not be sympathetic towards this guy.
The client and his brother were over 2 hours late for their arrival on the Mexican side of the San Ysidro Tijuana Pedestrian Border Crossing. I was early and I waited for them, what else could I do. The client did not answer his telephone until about 2 hours past the time we were supposed to meet. I explained that I was waiting for them with the limousine. They said that they were about to enter Mexico as they were walking towards Mexican Customs and Immigration. I waited by the exit along with the Mexican Military that guard the building;. With a description of what they were wearing I was certain that they could not be missed by me, however I did not see them.
I called the client after waiting for about 10 minutes. He said he and his brother were in the plaza where the taxis are waiting. I ran to the plaza and I could not find them, so I called again. I searched the plaza which was crowded with tourists and Mexican returning home from their jobs in the USA. After becoming convinced that the client had not entered Mexico using the San Diego Trolley Border crossing but had entered Mexico using the new Ped West Border Crossing. I had been very clear about with border crossing to use. "When you see the McDonalds and the red San Diego Trolleys you are in the right place." .
I ran the distance to the Ped West Border Crossing and I found the client and his brother. Trying to catch my breathe I explained that this was not the correct border crossing and there was no limousine service from here. I directed them to the taxis at which the client was not very pleased about. On the way to La Coahuila, Tijuana's Red Light District the client expressed that he was very unhappy about me being late to meet them and that they were in a taxi rather than a limousine. When we arrived at the Hong Kong Club Complex I explained that the first order of business was to check into Hotel Cascadas for their rooms.
I introduced myself and the client and his brother to the hotel desk clerk at which time the client exclaimed "We are not with him." Embarrassing as could be I was in disbelief and with absolute class I turned and walked away. What I wanted to do was not such a polite manner. That involved my fist and his jaw making contact.
