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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Tutor canceled lessons!

897 replies

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 08:13

AIBU to think our (now ex) tutor has behaved unreasonably?

Our 11 plus tutor charges monthly in advance and I stupidly forgot to pay for February's lessons on time. She did remind me once about the invoice but it just slipped my mind as it's been a really busy few weeks.

We turned up for our lesson on Friday and she actually turned us away and had arranged for another family to take our place! I feel really embarrassed as the other family are from our school and they were there when she sent us away.

We've been having lessons since September and I've only paid late once on one other occasion. We've cancelled very few lessons and we're really pleased with our child's progress.

I think the tutor has been really impatient and quite frankly, rude! Surely someone working with children should be kinder than this and could have given us some leeway?

OP posts:
liverpoolgal82 · 10/02/2025 10:04

Why are you asking her to squeeze your daughter in as an extra if you think she shouldn’t be working with children then? How do you know your “small mistake” didn’t result in a direct debit bouncing on her and costing her more in fees? It’s so tiring when clients think work is a hobby for us that offer services.

Lucyaugust2007 · 10/02/2025 10:03

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 08:30

She was saying she's fully booked on friday, although I'm not sure that's completely true. I've suggested maybe she could offer us cancellation lessons or maybe squeeze us in as an extra but she's not replied to my emails sent over the weekend.

Yes, I can now see that her email reminder did say that if the invoice was not paid, lessons would be cancelled but I'd still expect a more personal text or phonecall before actually replacing us bearing in mind we've been with her since September!

I just feel that someone this unkind and impatient should not be working with children to be honest. She's left our child with no tutor and they're now disadvantaged compared to their friends (grammar area). They are so keen to take the 11 plus and it seems so wrong for her to be punishing a child for my small mistake.

How does this impact her working with children?

She hasn't been impatient or unkind. She sent you a polite reminder that the payment was due, and still had no response from you.
She has a business to run, so of course she is going to offer the place to another family.

Creameded · 10/02/2025 10:02

OP, you have really let your child down by not valuing the tutors services.

I have 4 children in years of music lessons, individual coaching etc.

No one ever waited for payment because I respected them and what they were offering my child...being the best around at what they taught.

No way would I fxxk about with payment and unnecessarily irritate them.

You messed up and your child pays for it.
Learn from this.

I wouldn't tolerate being paid my salary late, not for a minute.

alwaysdeleteyourcookies · 10/02/2025 10:02

So, you didn't pay? She reminded you, and you still didn't pay?

It's her job. She needs to fill slots. You're very unreasonable.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 10/02/2025 10:00

I am sure every class teacher expects to be paid on time so I really don't get why you think that expectation makes her unfit to be one.

And please do drop the 'busy mum' excuse it really doesn't wash on a site that is mostly used by other 'busy mums'. You screwed up (we all do) and suffered the quite reasonable consequences. It's rough on your child but most people will sympathise with the tutor having to deal with repeatedly reminding a customer that they actually do have to pay for their service.

Araminta1003 · 10/02/2025 10:00

Grovel and offer to pay the next 3 months in advance?
You cannot pay tutors and after school clubs late. They end up spending tons of time chasing invoices otherwise so many have this kind of policy. They do not want time wasters.

insomniacalways · 10/02/2025 09:59

Would you be OK with your work not paying you on time twice in 6 months and you having to email to chase and them still not paying you? If everyone of her clients did the same as you she would spend her life doing admin. Please apologise a lot and hope she can fit you back in, then set up a direct debit.

AngelicKaty · 10/02/2025 09:59

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 09:04

Why so unpleasant?

I'm a busy working mum who made a mistake.

I'll have to look for a new tutor.

I accept I made a mistake. It's a pity the tutor isn't more understanding but maybe that's why she's no longer a class teacher. I do understand that she has bills to pay and I wasn't planning to never pay the invoice, I'm not a thief and i wasnt expecting lessons for free! I do accept she won't be continuing with us though. Such a shame.

Edited

The "shame" is on YOU.

VickyEadieofThigh · 10/02/2025 09:53

I was going to say that I find it hard to believe someone (the OP, obviously) is this arrogant, self-centred and entitled - but here we are.

Octopies · 10/02/2025 09:53

Presumably you get invoiced roughly the same time each month? Set a reminder on your phone or a standing order if it's for the same amount each time. Tutors shouldn't have to be chasing you for payment, they have bills to pay the same as you. If she has to chase every parent several times for payment each month, then that's quite a bit of extra work and stress for her. It sounds like she's in demand and can pick more reliable clients, so I don't blame her.

ClairDeLaLune · 10/02/2025 09:52

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 09:04

Why so unpleasant?

I'm a busy working mum who made a mistake.

I'll have to look for a new tutor.

I accept I made a mistake. It's a pity the tutor isn't more understanding but maybe that's why she's no longer a class teacher. I do understand that she has bills to pay and I wasn't planning to never pay the invoice, I'm not a thief and i wasnt expecting lessons for free! I do accept she won't be continuing with us though. Such a shame.

Edited

It's a pity the tutor isn't more understanding but maybe that's why she's no longer a class teacher.

Thats an utterly disgusting thing to say, you really need to reflect on why you have such a dreadful attitude.

You broke the contract. She’s not a charity. Bet she’s well glad to see the back of you.

SheridansPortSalut · 10/02/2025 09:52

She hasn't left your child without a tutor. You did. That's on you. Your anger is misplaced.

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 10/02/2025 09:52

This is absolutely on you. Some of the comments you make about her not being kind etc. are completely out of order. She is not a charity, this is her income and it looks like you didn't read her terms properly. She is not beholden to you or your daughter. Late paying twice since September and cancelling some sessions - I'm not surprised that she's filled your slot.
Take some responsibility.

BabyFever246 · 10/02/2025 09:52

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 09:04

Why so unpleasant?

I'm a busy working mum who made a mistake.

I'll have to look for a new tutor.

I accept I made a mistake. It's a pity the tutor isn't more understanding but maybe that's why she's no longer a class teacher. I do understand that she has bills to pay and I wasn't planning to never pay the invoice, I'm not a thief and i wasnt expecting lessons for free! I do accept she won't be continuing with us though. Such a shame.

Edited

You're actually nuts right?

You didn't pay her on time. She can't say to her mortgage company 'don't worry I'm planning on paying you but X hasn't paid me yet'

You wouldn't be taking it lightly if your workplace forgot to pay you and brushed it off with a 'ooo we were busy, I was planning on paying you at some point'. If you'd only been there since September and they had fucked up your payroll TWICE you'd be looking for an out.

aspidernamedfluffy · 10/02/2025 09:50

She's left our child with no tutor

No, YOU left your child with no tutor. If you had paid what you were supposed to when you were supposed to your child would still have a tutor.
You strike me as the sort of person who, if they walked into a lamppost, would blame the lamppost.

Anonanonandon · 10/02/2025 09:50

I agree with PP the tutor is not disadvantaging your child - you are - you didn't pay.
The fact that you feel that someone that rude and impatient should not be teaching children is completely unfair.
When I retired from teaching I tutored for a few years and as a tutor you are filling two roles. You are not only delivering a service - teaching - which you are really comfortable with; you also running a business, which after many years in teaching, I was much less comfortable with.
I hated having to chase invoices; I found it uncomfortable to be hard headed and I was surprised how often I had to chase and I am sure I came across as 'rude' on occasion, but that did not reflect, in anyway, the relationship I had with my pupils or how I interacted with them.

Therefore I can understand why the tutor deals with unpaid invoices the way she does.

Had you paid your February invoice before turning up on Friday? If not then, after an invoice and reminder stating that if you don't pay she will assume lessons are cancelled, you were unreasonable just to turn up. The onus was very much on you to contact the tutor to try to sort it out .

ThatsNotMyTeen · 10/02/2025 09:49

GreenFingersHelp · 10/02/2025 09:48

who's the 1% ?????????????

Maybe idiots like me who pressed the wrong response. I realised and changed

GreenYellowBrown · 10/02/2025 09:49

grassisgreener2015 · 10/02/2025 08:30

She was saying she's fully booked on friday, although I'm not sure that's completely true. I've suggested maybe she could offer us cancellation lessons or maybe squeeze us in as an extra but she's not replied to my emails sent over the weekend.

Yes, I can now see that her email reminder did say that if the invoice was not paid, lessons would be cancelled but I'd still expect a more personal text or phonecall before actually replacing us bearing in mind we've been with her since September!

I just feel that someone this unkind and impatient should not be working with children to be honest. She's left our child with no tutor and they're now disadvantaged compared to their friends (grammar area). They are so keen to take the 11 plus and it seems so wrong for her to be punishing a child for my small mistake.

You’ve left your child with no tutor by not paying, let’s get that one straight.

Candlesand · 10/02/2025 09:49

GreenFingersHelp · 10/02/2025 09:44

I think with some parents (very few) they make a judgment if you're working from your home. As if it's not 'real' work.

I worked from my home because I could see more pupils than if I were to drive between them all. I taught 3- 4 a day all week from 3 -6pm.

The downside is that you have wear and tear on your home and overheads.

You have to devote a room to the lessons, you sometimes have to clean the loo after they've used it, (TMI!) change the towel etc, make sure the heating's on for them, provide a drink (if they don't have a water bottle) buy paper and ink to print worksheets, buy books or materials.

The fee has to cover all of this.

Edited

Omg total derailing of the thread but everything you said happened to me when I tutored at home, including the toilet scenario. Not once, but MULTIPLE times. I don’t tutor anymore and the things you mention were some of the contributing factors!!. It’s horrible seeing people have absolutely zero respect of your home.

Once I even had to ask a PARENT to stop spilling coffee on the carpet, they thought this was somehow acceptable?

Agree with you though that people don’t see working from home as meaningful “work”, lots see it as some hobby. Including the OP!!!!

GoldenLegend · 10/02/2025 09:49

GreenFingersHelp · 10/02/2025 09:48

who's the 1% ?????????????

someone with butterfingers

GreenFingersHelp · 10/02/2025 09:48

whatapalarva · 10/02/2025 09:48

99% YABU.... 'nuff said!

who's the 1% ?????????????

GoldenLegend · 10/02/2025 09:48

To add to what everyone has said, it was January and I'll bet you're not the only people who didn't pay her because everyone is broke in January. Just imagine how difficult that is for her! Why should she have to spend her time chasing you for payment?

whatapalarva · 10/02/2025 09:48

99% YABU.... 'nuff said!

Cakeandcardio · 10/02/2025 09:47

Did you not feel embarrassed that you turned up for something you had not paid for? Like taking a cream cake from the bakers and not paying.
Even as you were going to the lesson did you not remember that you hadn't paid? The tutor is right to turn you away and not have contacted you either. Why should she have?

GreenYellowBrown · 10/02/2025 09:47

Tough, you didn’t pay so your child doesn’t get to go 🤷‍♀️ Maybe you’ll learn your lesson for next time. This is her living for goodness sakes, she can’t hang about for you to pay so that she can buy food. I’m sure you’d be kicking off at work if they didn’t pay you. You sound very entitled.