AIBU to charge a cancellation fee

[NeedToChangeMyLightBulb]

I tutor a child for maths.
He is almost 2 school years behind where he should be, really shy and I feel like I am needed.
Family moved (they rent), out of the blue in August. Gave me a weeks notice. New house takes me over an hour to drive to but they begged me to keep on tutoring the child as we have a good rapport and responds well to me. Compromised with extra 30 mins on the lesson to make it worthwhile but fortnightly not weekly- family also offered me petrol money as I am driving for 2.5 hrs usually.

Now the problems:
-no petrol money has ever materialised
-they cancel me the night before (less than 12hrs in advance) or a few hours the same day before the lesson allllllll the time

Interested to find out if other people who pay for similar lessons usually would pay a cancellation fee of say, 50% if less than 24hrs warning??
Would I BU??

They cancelled a bit before they moved, but this month they’ve cancelled 4 times!! I had earmarked the money, but worse than that, I feel taken advantage of.

Would I BU or are they BU?

Tbh I would have a frank conversation and ask whether they still want you to teach their son as they have cancelled X times out of Y. Then find more reliable clients and yes, charge a cancellation fee.

They’ve apologised and said they are just so busy (Xmas) and can I come the at after Boxing Day.
...so I don’t think they don’t want me to go anymore?

*day

Sack them. Your time is too valuable for this nonsense.

Do you have a contract in place that mentions cancellation fees?

I wouldn’t go anymore. It’s not worth your while and their not valuing you or your time. Day after Boxing Day? No way. I would reply you can no longer commit to the lessons and advise them to find a new tutor.

Surely with many services there's a 100% cancellation fee if cancelling within 24 hours? It might be worth having a frank conversation about whether they wish to continue, but if so, get some terms and conditions produced for them to sign up to including cancellation/changes policies.

I’d say that you have let them off the cancelled lessons so far but you have a waiting list of potential clients. If they want to keep you tutoring, you now have a new formalised contract with fees paid in advance with fees for travelling.

I run anappojntments based business. 2 strikes and you're out. And cancellation fees are all very well but I'd rather work for the full amount than twiddle my thumbs for half.

Sack them off, tell them why, move on.

They’re taking the piss! Tutors normally charge 100% for missed lessons!

Charge upfront + fuel for lessons!

Say thanks but no thanks.

I charge 100% if less than 24 hours notice (although use discretion if it’s a one off)
They are massively taking the mick and you are out of pocket

If ask for a month in advance, non refundable if they don't use you.

Contracts work two ways - sack them now

Years ago I had a Saturday morning tutor (at our home) for my son in a subject hard to find tutors. I paid for their train fare plus tutor time. I paid regardless if we had to cancel, paid full amount even if her train was slightly delayed. I agreed to this because tutor was excellent, hard to find so appreciated her coming out to us. We agreed this all up front

I don’t understand how they can cancel four times in a month if you’re only tutoring him fortnightly, unless I’ve misunderstood the post, but YANBU to charge a cancellation fee, I’d expect to pay the full amount if I cancelled the day before and at least 50% if I cancelled within 2-3 days before

Day after Boxing Day doesn’t bother me- need the money!
No contract but verbally stated need for at least 24hrs when cancelling in our first meeting.

Cancelled 4 times in a month as they asked for lessons to be rearranged for another day.

I’ve been a mug haven’t I?!

My personal trainer asks for the month paid in advance. If I have to cancel he will try and fit me in a other time that week but can't guarantee and it's my loss. If he cancels he will fit me in another time in that month as suits me.

Just be honest. Explain that late notice cancellations are really inconvenient for you given that with travel on top it is a significant chunk of time wasted and income lost. Tell them you are happy to continue but need to be paid for your time in advance in future. If they don't like it they can find someone else!

They are taking the piss. Yes everyone is busy at Christmas but the vast majority of Christmas related events have more than 24 hours notice.

I would have a chat with them and say you want to give their spot to someone else due to the number of cancellations. If they beg you to stay then agree but they come to you and say you will need 50pc of the cost before the next lesson

Next time you contact them say you will be bring a contact due to the change in circumstances (travel, petrol money, shift to fortnightly sessions) and include that lessons must be paid for unless cancelled 48 hours in advance

Or like pp have said ask for up front payment paid by PayPal or something 24 hours before

I also have an appointment-based business and I make it clear from day one that they must pay 100% if they cancel with less than 24 hours' notice. In addition, I will always charge for a minimum of 75% of the scheduled monthly appointments so they can cancel but will always pay for 3 out of 4.

I find that if you give an inch they take a mile so I recommend communicating your conditions, in writing, whenever you take on a new student. I think people actually respect you more and take your job more seriously.

As for this one, definitely sack it off! Use this as an excuse or tell them your new conditions and hope they don't agree so you can give it up.

I hate confrontation... need to grow a pair.
Ok

Paying in advance seems a good idea. I know the bread winner is paid on the same day each week and I go there 3 days later. I will ask for 50% in advance of the lesson, the rest when I’m there. If they cancel they lose it.
And I’m adding an extra £5 on top of normal costs to cover petrol.

Wish me luck!
Thank you!!