Dealing with Rambling - How do you deal with paid professionals who ramble?

There is a specialist who does a unique kind of work in my area and therefore charges $200 an hour. Since I'm poor and often need his help, I schedule 15 minute appointments for $50 instead of the full hour. As the title says, the problem is that he tends to ramble incessantly and may be in denial about his rambling problem. He shifts blame after he rambles and becomes accusatory, mean, and it leaves me feeling bad for days. Last time we were suppose to meet for 15 minutes, he rambled for over 5 minutes non-stop. Then lectured me about trying to "interrupt" him and tried to charge me hundreds of dollars for what should have been a $50 appointment. I would have loved to just walk out, but I do NEED his help. As much as I've searched for a replacement, no one else can help.... It seems to me that he uses that (niche or monopoly) to take full advantage. And it's p**ing me off!

How would you deal with someone like that?

(In case I wasn't clear, I was hoping for quick responses like in a normal business conversation. When time is of the essence, a response should be a sentence or two most of the time in my book. Even when I ask for that, incessant rambling starts up again and again costing me much more money than I have.)

Now I'm mad at him. And I feel RIPPED OFF.

Could you tape your appointment so that when he tries to charge you hundreds you could prove to him how much he rambled? Say you rambled here where a simple yes or no would have sufficed. I will not pay for that time.

He could be aware that he rambles BUT if he's the only option what are people going to do? That's the problem with someone that has a monopoly they can pretty much do whatever they want and charge what they want and you have no choice if you need that service. Good luck to you.

Dealing with this guy is as bad as dealing with Comcast on a bad day. Only he charges more and you don't get the satisfaction of knowing that everyone else practically has the same problem.

I'll try the recording if he will agree to it. I'm in a 2 party consent state for recordings. I am also going to try to get him to agree to a fixed rate next time.

Thanks for your response.

Can you do it via email or a written letter?

Pay him up front for the session, before he starts rambling 'Here's your $50 for our meeting today?'

I had a similar experience earlier this year, btw - I hired someone I knew casually. At our first meeting, we spent most of the hour catching up and just chit-chatting. I got billed $200 an hour for it!

He has issues managing time. Good idea, but I tried that and he took several times the amount of time that would have been reasonable.

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt here. It's possible that he intentionally slows down so he can make more money. That's an infuriating idea so I'm trying not to assume that. I might tell him it's crossed my mind though.

Okay so if he is the ONLY person than can offer this particular help and you can get that help in 15 mins.... I can't imagine him being the ONLY person that can help you or provide whatever service you need.

Maybe next time when you sit down ,ask specific question right then, remind him you only have 14 mins left, if he doesnt provide an answer then remind him you have X mins left and you need X help or you will find it elsewhere, get up and leave.

Im sorry I am blunt and If I am running as lean as you have to due to your financial obligations I would be blunt and either get what you need or find someone who will.

Id rather take my chances on finding my much needed help elsewhere than to listen to someone ramble and take my money and I still have no information or whatever it is you need from this person .

No one is the" know all be all" of anything .