Parents not paying for tutoring, getting beyond a joke now

Honestly, never been a problem to me to work like this. I'm massively over subscribed with a waiting list for both this and next academic year, there are not enough tutors that do what I do in my local area so once they have me, i'm not taken for granted.

I think this makes sense.

Music lessons where I live have always been pay in advance for a term. Then all that needs sorting is the end of terms if not enough lessons have happened for whatever reason.

I’m sorry, but this is partly on you. You need to have a contract with clear terms about payment. You shouldn’t have to chase, but imo (and I do similar work) it’s a bit unprofessional not to document all this.
Maybe you could put an agreement in place now?

Well..the other family stays on the waiting list.

They will have been told there may be a space and OP will let them know.

It's not complicated.

so if they agree to advance payment, and the other family does still need someone..?

But if you need to cancel because of an emergency you just credit that lesson when the next batch is to be paid.

I find it odd TBH that professionals like teachers are so 'flexible' about payment and almost encourage parents to be casual about when they pay.

You need to start thinking of it as running a business, because too many parents regard it as 'pin money' and hence mess tutors about.

I run a tutoring sideline too. This variation in paying happens to me as well. I now put in the 'Our agreement' document/email that payment is to be within 24 hours of each tutoring session. The parents are usually quiet good with it. Worst I've ever needed to do is send a "Just checking if you tried to pay....." Text.

I don't want it any more formal as the flexibility can go both ways. Need to cancel? Ok. Means I don't feel as guilty if DD2 needs to visit A and E or similar.

It's a balance. But for me it works.

If tutors are declaring income and doing a self assessment for tax, it's far easier to do that using bank payments or cheques.

Taking cash makes it much harder to keep track of it unless you're writing it all down in a little accounts book!

I think there is a difference between tutors who do a couple or so lessons a week (and some may not be qualified teachers) and others who are teachers and do tutoring as a proper business (because then you can offset overheads for working from home, materials, etc or car allowance if you're going to your students.)

For our tutors we either have to pay a month in advance, or cash in the lesson.

You need to ask for prepayment. My children’s maths tutor charges in 4 lesson advance ‘blocks’ which once paid we use. Once I have had the last paid session she texts and says ‘If you wish to continue it’s £x for the next four sessions’. People will do what they can get away with sadly

I prepaid the month in advance for 11+ tutor, blocks of 5 lessons in advance for flute. Also a four week paid notice period to cancel.

Agree with other comment to spend a day focused on getting this sorted out for a clients, it will reap rewards in future!

I think it's actually unprofessional to take payment on the day. You're offering a professional service. And I can't think of any other professional service where you pay the provider by handing over money - if it's a private dentist, physio or medical professional, solicitor , you don't start fumbling around to pay them- you might pay at reception or you're invoiced and that's 'removed' from the professional.

Who wants to be doing a financial transaction at the end of the lesson with a parent fumbling in their bag for money, or writing a cheque, or banking on their phone?

I had students back to back and there simply wasn't time to deal with payment or parents who had 'forgotten'.

It does, actually.

No one is talking about legal action FGS!

The whole point of giving out T&Cs is so parents know how to pay.

If they don't pay on time you stop tutoring their child.

I had a waiting list and enquiries almost weekly. I could have replaced a 'bad payer' overnight.

No tutor wants to do that if they genuinely care about their student, and I never had to do it- perhaps because the parents had the T&Cs in writing?

There’s no excuse for this.
I pay my son’s tutor during his lesson.

Fell foul of this myself - I was the shitty payer with my therapist. Her signal was rubbish and I couldn’t connect to tap the transaction through. On a number of occasions we’d abandon payment and I’d swear I’d do it from home. I’d forget in the rush of everything. She would send a reminder which I know is a pain in the arse for her.

she’s changed premises now and the signal is good, I don’t leave without the payment going through. Can you ask him to complete the payment at pickup?

My tutor asked for payment in advance. Implement this for late payers.

It is so frustrating OP. You trust people on their good will and sending payment on-time. No excuse for sending late. They don't forgot dc has a lesson but will totally forgot with sending money. When my dc's were being tutored, we paid 4 weeks up front. It worked well. If they continue to do this then I would tell them you cant continue with the tutoring.

Writing an agreement doesn't help you get paid quicker or timely. People often make the mistake in thinking it solves anything and it doesn't. Written agreements and contracts are only used when you go to court, as evidence. That's it. And only a numpty will go to court unless absolutely necessary.

Dear ....
Due to regular late payments for my services I now require payment me at least 48 hours in advance of the planned lesson. If I dont receive payment please be advised that the lesson will not taje place.
Many thanks in anticipation of your support.

I've been tutoring for 20 years .... have you got a business account ? I used to get so anxious chasing up payments ... now I send a Payment link through my bank . My son has a maths tutor ... we have to pay a month in advance and I wouldn't DREAM of not doing it x

It's a no brainer.

If anyone enrols for classes that are run termly (eg adult leisure classes or kids' classes) payment is upfront for the term.

I learned the hard way. I tutored for 20 years as an alternative to being in school on a 0.5 post.

I set up my home with books and other equipment needed and ran it as a business.

At the very start of my tutoring , I did accept payment weekly but that was when I worked through an agency- 30 years ago.

When I was established and had a waiting list, it was payment half-termly.

Lesson learnt. Always get an upfront payment from any client.

It takes 3 seconds to do a bank transfer. I don't get how anyone can have an excuse for late payment now

A lot of people are dishonest, unfortunately. But it's also a real hassle to have to pay per lesson. Bill them in advance for at least a month's worth of lessons. It's easier for everyone. Rich people are the worst, in my experience. It think it's the sense of superiority. They're rich and special, so they deserve the best. What they conveniently forget is that they're paying the same as everyone else.

It sounds a stress- but I hate to say I was fearful when I clicked on this thread that it was our tutor complaining about us.

which is to say - before you walk away from this customer- try to see if you can automate payments so there is no need to have hassle at your side or their side

Maybe even suggest a standing order? There might be ways to automate payments with accounting software if you have it.

but thy obviously want you, and you want the custom. So have an open and honest conversation about a smooth system of payments which is no hassle for either of you.

I’ve actually been meaning to email my tutor to suggest the same thing