How to word polite message to no-show student?

[WellAlwaysHaveParis]

I work as a tutor (have posted about similar situations before).

I had pre-booked a set of sessions with a student and his dad, where I’m tutoring via Skype.

The final session was due to take place today.

I texted the student about the session just before the time the session was due to start, and got no reply. I then tried to call the student but got no reply.

I’ve now texted the student’s dad and he says that the student is at an event. I was not told that the student would be missing our session to attend the event. How should I word my reply to the dad? I want to be professional and polite, but also show him that he wasted my time by not warning me in advance that his son couldn’t make a pre-booked session!

Thanks for your help with this.

I should add that this tuition assignment was arranged through an agency. I’m not sure what the agency’s Ts and Cs are for sessions that are not attended by students.

I think perhaps I should just go through the agency instead and let the agency know, then the agency could approach the dad perhaps.

I’m in a similar situation. I reply “unfortunately I have to charge you for this lesson as I did not have time to fill your slot. In future if you give me 24 hours notice we can arrange a more suitable time.”

People can be so rude!

Presumably you still get paid? Just inform the agency and leave it

Oh sorry just saw your second post. You need to speak to the agency and find out their t&cs.

I’m planning on sending this to the dad, possibly

How does this sound?

Hi X,

Thanks for your message.

The session was due to take place this evening at X time, as planned on the schedule of sessions that was drawn up on your email sent on X date.

On the session schedule, it mentions that my final session was due to take place today.

As I haven’t had prior notice that X was not able to attend this session, I will need to treat this session as a cancellation and follow the policies held by X agency for sessions cancelled with no prior notice.

I hope that this is understandable.

Best wishes,

Paris

As I didn't receive any cancellation notice. This session will be charged as usual. No waffle.

Too long a message. Go with what frogscotch says.

Two paragraphs say the same thing. Find out what the ts and cs are and then be clear. “As his session was cancelled without notice I will be charging for this session as laid out in (agency’s) terms and conditions” (or whatever they actually say.

It’s tricky OP. You can try but ultimately if they don’t pay, what can you do?

Absolutely do not say I hope this is understandable. Go with mickeys reply.

Too long.

I wouldn’t bother contacting them about this unless the agency requires you to. They are there to get you payment surely?

Yeah, don't bother. Go through the agency. That's what they are there for. I would have thought they will be able to pay you for it, or even part pay you for the missed session

I don't see how anyone can advise you what, if anything, to say without knowing what the agency contract says about no shows.

Do they pay you direct or via the agency?

I'd go through the agency, expecting to be paid as normal explaining the circs.

Your message is far too waffly. You need to be straight to the point.

Dear

Thank you for your message explaining why missed our session today.

^As per

You don’t need an agency. Find your own clients and set your own Ts and Cs; payment due a month or term in advance. Been a self-employed tutor for over 5 years and I’m always full with a waiting list.

Thanks so much, everyone.