Paying a retainer to keep a slot free - is this a reasonable sum?

[WellTidy]

DS has weekly music lessons, his teacher comes to the house as she doesn't teach from home. This works for us as it is so convenient. DS has a lot on over the next few months, so we have decided to put the music lessons on hold as he will not have time to adequately practice, and there are too many other things for both he and I to keep on top of.

I contacted his teacher to let her know, and offered to pay a retainer to keep his space free so that he can resume in four months' time (beginning of February).

She is fine about this and agrees that it is sensible to take a break.

Now for the retainer. The lessons would have been weekly on a certain day, and, depending on which month it is, there could be five of those days in a calendar month or four. She suggests that the retainer fee be paid calendar monthly, and be the full price of four lessons per calendar month.

Is this a reasonable sum? I understand that she will not be able to fill his slot, and that would make her out of pocket. That obviously needs to be compensated for. I offered to pay the retainer because I knew this. But is the amount reasonable?

Surely in this case you might as well just pay and cancel each session you need to. You probably won't save anythibg.

I honestly think it is fair tbh. If you want to keep the slot you need to pay for it, any less and the tutor is losing money.

As she can not now teach in this slot and will therefore be out of money i think she's being more than fair. I would expect to pay the full amount to keep the place.

Strictly speaking she should charge lesson cost - non fixed expenses. She doesn't have the cost of travel to your home if she's not attending.

Whether it's worth querying is up to you.

Stealth The cancellation policy is on a discretionary basis. If we cancel a lesson with 'adequate notice' (not defined), it is not charged for if an alternative slot cannot be found. If the teacher cancels, no fee is payable for that lesson. So, as we will not be looking for an alternative slot each week, I think I would still have to pay each week in full.

That is a lot, wow! But she obviously thinks she could easily fill the slot, she must be hugely in demand. For that price I'd keep sending him to lessons anyway and not make him practice.

OK, Thanks for the opinions.

If you're paying anyway, I'd also just keep the slit going and he can just practice as and when he has time. DS has 13+ in Jan and that's what we're doing with them.

Tbh for that cost mine would either have to decide between keeping up the lessons or cancelling and taking the risk that they might not be able to get their slot/a slot with that teacher when they wanted to resume.

That's what I am thinking lala, do I cancel and then take whatever slot becomes available in February? I am sure there will be a lot, it just might not be as convenient.

under, yes, DS is busy with independent schools exam prep. I am wondering whether to keep the lessons going and that half hour a week with no practise will just keep him ticking over at the level he is currently at (very much a beginner!).

I am sure there will be a slot, not lot.

What is it you find unreasonable about the retainer?

I know it's not what you asked, but have you thought about just keeping the lessons anyway, but not basing them on practice? I still have lessons in my fifties, and sometimes I prepare something, but just as often we sight-read duets (well, he sight-reads, I blunder through in some kind of approximation of an accompaniment) or slowly play through old duets that I learned some time ago. It's fun, and recreational.

I'd keep the lessons on and keep him ticking over.

I have a similar situation with ds's singing lessons this month and next but the difference is that in November he is performing in three weeks worth of shows so will not be available for the actual lesson time due to performances and rehearsals. During GCSE exams my daughter kept up with her singing and drama lessons (with the odd change of time if any clashed with an actual exam.

its good to have an outlet.

Yes, Dolores and Alexander, I agree with what you say. I am now thinking I will do that.