Originally Posted by
florin
In all fairness, Mike, the first 3 steps could have been avoided by checking the web. ALL the information regarding necessary forms and paperwork can be found online. If you know your availability well you also don't have to call several times to make an appointment. It's up to you to know your schedule well and be able to propose several alternatives. The person @ the other end of the line can just say "that's not good, that won't work either,... BINGO! We have a winner".
You obviously have never scheduled a visa appointment. If it were only that simple....
Not familiar with procedures in the UK, but in other countries, they only schedule appointments 4-6 weeks in advance. If you can't find a suitable time, you need to call back. Also, AFAIK only in Canada can you do this online, and you pay the appointment schedule fee only after you find a suitable time. In other countries you need to keep calling the 1-900 type number back until you find a time. Also, individual consulates post their slots irregularly and randomly, so there is NO pattern to when you could call to get a "good slot".... sigh...