It is typical here in the US, if you have an appointment with the Internet/Cable installers or repairers to have to set aside a block of four hours (8am to noon, 1pm to 5pm, etc.) and have them arrive 20 minutes before the end of that block. There are other folks you call and you'd better be ready early because if they can start early they will. This is sometimes the case with plumbers, and with my friend who does gardening and cuts down trees for me.
With some deliveries it's possible to pull up a map and watch the dot move along it's route and have a notice of how many stops until it's your turn. Mostly you just wait.