06/05/2020
Story time!
I get a call from an attorneys office to serve a Subpoena on someone (lets call him Frank) thats being evasive. Im notified that another Process Server, that has been serving well over 20 years is having issues getting it served. I was told the girlfriend of Frank has been belligerent towards the first server. The residential address I was provided was confirmed good, but if hes clearly avoiding service, this doesnt do me any good; unless I camp outside of his house for hours on end.
I do my research and diligence and locate his work address, so I start there. I assume he works between the hours of 8am - 5pm; so my first attempt is at 1145am (hopefully right before he leaves for lunch.) The lady I speak to at his place of employment lets me know that he most likely works the late shift, which begins at 3pm.
I make my way back over to his place of employment around 330pm. I speak to a different lady who then calls his specific department and she is told Frank works the early shift and usually leaves work around 12pm (noon.)
I leave his place of employment and head to his home address in an attempt to get the license plate off of his vehicle so that I can cross reference them when I go back to his work the next day, but his vehicle is not there.
Fast forward to next day. I go back to his work around 10:15am (assuming he has already taken his lunch for the day and returned back to work.) I speak to a different lady at the front and she calls his department and Frank answers (hes on speaker phone.) She lets Frank know that Im up there with a delivery for him. He acknowledges and hangs up. I wait a couple minutes and another guy comes up and asks if theres a delivery and I advise yes, but I need to give them to Frank personally. The guy leaves and I wait another 20 minutes, before asking the nice lady to call his department again to confirm if hes coming up. When she calls, the guy who came up initially answers and I speak to him. He lets me know that Frank just left for lunch about 5 minutes ago. I reply with, I just heard him on the phone 20 minutes ago acknowledging I was up at the front waiting on him. He insists he left for lunch, so I ask him to pass a message to our dear friend Frank that if he doesnt make himself available; I will be left with no option but to put in my Affidavit of Service that he is actively avoiding service and may be held accountable for that.
I leave and return about 45 minutes later. I speak to the same lady at the counter and she lets me know that after I left, Frank came up there looking for me (imagine that.) She calls him up and hes up there in less than a minute. Our exchange:
Frank: So you're the guy messing with me at work?
Me: I dont know about that, Im just a third party hired to do a job. Plus, you didnt make yourself available at home, so what other option did we have? How was your lunch?
Frank: Oh I didnt actually go on lunch.
Me: I figured. Nobody takes a lunch an hour before they leave for the day.
Frank: You're good, how long have you been doing this?
Me: Just shy of 4 years. The other person who tried to get you has been at it for over 20 years.
Frank: Oh wow, so why didnt they just send you in the first place?
Me: 🤷♂️ Good question. You have a nice day.
