AIBU re fee for tutor?

[NoonarAgain]

Hi. DD has been unwell and has missed a lot of school. I contacted an agency which was offering revision courses over the holidays as she needs to catch up. It transpires that they are not running the course but could offer 1:1 tuition.

They quoted me their fees and it was v expensive but I accepted that I would find it hard to find someone to work for less so close to xmas.

I have met the tutor and he seems ideal. However, I have since found out that the agency are charging me double what they are paying him. I expected to pay them a fee, and expected him to get a premium for holiday work, but he is only going to be getting paid his usual hourly rate ( and we get to pay double that!).

AIBU to not want to pay so much to a firm that offers poor value for money (to me) and that doesn't pass any of the premium fee on to the tutor?

AIBU to want to book him up on line using his own webpage now that I know who he is? (I suspect he would feel compromised by me suggesting this).

So AIBU and WWYD?

[AnnieAnoniMouse]

Butchy. The thing with that though, is she didn’t go looking for a tutor, she called about a course they’re advertising, but (conveniently!?) not actually running. They then gave her the tutors contact details & are wanting to charge her 25% more than their advertised price. They sound unscrupulous, & in her position I’d have no hesitation in going directly to the tutor. If he said no, I’d look for another tutor or another course. I wouldn’t use that agency.

Peng. ‘She sought out a service’. Yes, a course they’re advertising & not running. She didn’t go looking for a tutor.

It’s one thing to ‘give your opinion’ it’s quite another to go on & on & slate someone’s character. You’re bringing a lot of baggage to this thread.

Considering how ill the Op’s DD is I think you should do the decent thing & back off.

[sonjadog]

I suggest that you talk to him about this. Any comment here is pure speculation because no-one here knows him and what he thinks about such arrangements. He is (presumably) an intelligent adult. Therefore, he can answer for himself. If you were in his position, would you not rather answer for yourself rather than have a group of unknown people deciding that as you are too delicate and sensitive to be asked, another tutor should be found instead?

[WilyMinx]

I wouldn't ask the private tutor. Would be embarrassing if he rejected, and he might tell the agency. I also wouldn't want to pay the extortionate fees.
Now you know you are going with a private tutor instead of a revision course, you could just restart the search for a tutor. Perhaps google up the ones in your area and go with someone new altogether.

[Wiifitmama]

I work as a career tutor through two top London agencies. I also have my own website and take clients directly. I have signed contracts with the agencies that expressly forbid me from doing this. In addition, I value my relationship with these agencies and would not do anything underhanded. However, I am shocked that the agency is charging so much on top of the tutor's fee. The agencies I use charge much less. They do, however, also charge an introduction fee. So to answer your question, you are indeed being unreasonable.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Beautifully put, Butchy

[ButchyRestingFace]

I'm a freelancer working in a different industry. I take work through agencies and also directly.

Often clients ask me if they can book me directly after having booked me through an agency. They (rightly) believe that booking me directly will be much cheaper than booking through an agency.

But this is putting me in a very difficult position. To accept direct bookings from a client I've been introduced to via an agency puts me at risk of the agency striking me off their books!

I have a website and my details are listed on several websites relevant to my line of work. If the client wanted to book me directly to save money then they should have done so in the first place!

OP said herself that the tutor has his own website. A bit of judicious searching online could have saved her money AND putting the tutor in a potentially compromising situation.

[Booboobooboo84]

I think you’ve successfully driven away the op peng but enjoy your

[Booboobooboo84]

But she isn’t doing it she’s suggesting doing it and has received a mix of answers. You are a very angry aggressive bitter person maybe you just need to sit in a quiet room with a

[Booboobooboo84]

No your taking your clients past behaviour and projecting it on the op. She asked for advice. She hasn’t made a firm decision as to what she’s going to do. She has a sick child that she is just trying to do the Best by without getting ripped off. Why should she pay 25% more if it doesn’t benefit the tutor? Why should she have to haggle with the tutor company? Why not just give fair prices to everyone? If you play a greedy game don’t be surprised if people bite back- maybe that’s what happened to you which is why your so aggressive and bitter.

[NoonarAgain]

x post

no sandy, not yet because I've been on MN since finding out :)

[Booboobooboo84]

Don’t take out on the op the behaviour of past clients peng that’s not her responsibility she’s asked for advice and you’ve given yours.

[NoonarAgain]

I see.

[SandyDenny]

Sorry if I've missed it but have you asked them why the fee is higher?

[NoonarAgain]

ok peng. i'm finding the forcefulness of your tone a little odd, but i guess this is AIBU.

i'm going to go and do a bit of work now. thanks all.

[NoonarAgain]

I'm hiding the thread because i'm wasting too much time on MN. why, how do you interpret it, puzzled? i'm not upset by it.

i've acknowledged the opposing view many, many times and said i'm still undecided. why are you talking to peng as if i'm not here, puzzled? are you trying to gang up on me? as, i say, i have avery sick daughter so its water off a duck's back.

flouncy, interesting suggestion. thanks.

[FlouncyDoves]

Why don’t you offer the tutor time and a half? That way you save 25% and he gets 25% extra.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Pengggwn I think you'll find the translation of that is "I don't like the answers I got from the majority of posters"

Ditto the hiding of the thread ...

[NoonarAgain]

yes, there is an implied contract. hence my dilemma. not sure 'disgusting' is quite fair, tbh.