Client not yet paid for tuition session on Saturday

[RangeTesKopeks]

I work as a tutor, and have recently taken on a new student for weekly lessons.

His dad (who pays for the lessons) said that he'd prefer to pay me via bank transfer rather than with cash every week. I'm not entirely happy about this, as cash after every session would be more convenient for me rather than having to check my bank account to see if he's paid me. I agreed to it though, as I've had situations with clients before who kick off and say they can't remember to bring cash every week. These clients have set up things like direct debits though, so I've always been transferred money on the day of the lesson by them.

Anyway, I had the first lesson with the student yesterday. I saw the dad at the lesson, and he said he'd make the payment for the lesson via bank transfer after the lesson (later yesterday). I had already sent the dad my bank details via email as he'd asked for them.

I checked my bank account yesterday and today (latest time I checked it was just now), and still haven't had a payment from him.

If he still hasn't paid me by tomorrow, WIBU to say something? Should I say (politely) that as the bank transfer has not been done as promised, I'm going to cash payments each lesson instead?

Thanks everyone for all of your replies. All of your suggestions have been really helpful.

I had an email from the client late last night (Sunday) to say sorry he forgot to pay on the day of the lesson but he's just paid. I've checked, and the money's now in my account.

I like cakecrumbs's suggestion of asking the client to pay by bank transfer within X hours of the lesson taking place. I think that's a really fair and reasonable suggestion.

I'm just going to email the client to thank him and ask him about the paying within X hours suggestion.

What do you a think about this as a draft email? -

"Dear Mr X,

Thanks for making the payment for the tuition with X on Saturday.

In future, could I ask that a bank transfer is made within 5 hours of the tuition session taking place please?

Thank you very much.

Best wishes,

Range."

Hopeful bump :)

I would ask for the transfer no less that an 2 hours before the lesson, if he hasn’t paid you can ask him for the money when he brings the child

nancy I go to their house for the lesson.

Ok, still ask for it before the lesson & if it’s not done ask him to do it when you arrive. I work for a place that teaches kids a sport as after school & weekend clubs, you need to be firm about payment because people will mess you around.

Thanks nancy that's a good point.

Another thought (not as good as cash) - will your bank text you when payments go into your account? Mine does - very helpful.

I pay my son's maths tutor via paypal, but I pay for 4 sessions in advance so he always has the money ahead of time and we don't have to spend a lot of time with the accounting. He gives me a small break on the rate for paying in advance.

Ask for the payment to be made the day before, thus avoiding the weekend problem. You can then check it's there before you give the lesson.

Whenever I've paid for tutition of any kind through bank transfer, I've paid for a block of lessons, not individually. You could suggest that to him - might be easier for both of you.

Whenever I've paid for tutition of any kind through bank transfer, I've paid for a block of lessons, not individually. You could suggest that to him - might be easier for both of you.

I'd ask him to pay in advance, no less than 24 hours before maybe.

Yes, cash is a pain sometimes but you adapt. My cleaner prefers cash each week and I'm rubbish at remembering so I just pay her at the beginning of each month for the entire month, that way I only have to remember to get the cash out once every 4 or 5 weeks.

I pay three different people by bank transfer every week - gardener, cleaner and private tuition for dd.

Every one of them texts me a few hours later, during the evening, to remind me to pay if I haven't done so.

I don't see how anyone who's genuinely forgotten could possibly be annoyed by a gentle reminder.

They say something like 'just checking that you were happy with the service today, and reminding you to pay £X as soon as possible'.