To tell clients to just leave

[selfemployedwwyd]

I"m self employed with clients who pay monthly. I work 12 months of the year and take 4 weeks a year holiday which are unpaid - this is all explained upfront.

This year I've had an unprecedented number of clients who've informed me that they're not prepared to pay for my services over the summer as they're 'going on fancy holidays' and won't get the use of my services.

But they want me to take them back on in September once the summer holidays are over and the children are back in school.

AIBU to tell them they're free to go in June but I won't be giving them their space back in September?

I simply cannot afford to not be paid for 2 months. When I go on holiday (unpaid and only UK) I still pay all of my monthly bills (swimming, nursery etc)

I realise the cost of living affects even the wealthy, but it's the wealthiest clients who are doing this to me! For context, last year I earned £15k if that matters. I can't afford to take my children abroad (not that that's their fault I might add, but it does irk!)

AIBU to feel really pissed off and a little bit used/undervalued?

I agree with lots that has been said.

However one point I would really emphasis is listening to the client feedback even if you don’t agree with it - here a third of your clients are telling you they don’t want tutoring over the summer and so don’t expect to pay for it. I would really factor that point into the pricing, structuring and planning of your services else you may come up against this each year with families.

A common model I’ve seen with tutors who do 11+ work amongst others is they break over the summer and then run intensive small group classes over a week. That can be pretty lucrative.

I tutor all through the summer as that hour a week can make a huge difference to a child’s confidence going into a new school year. I understand why you’re upset. I go above and beyond too to support the families I tutor because this level of service is important to me and my reputation. I had one family treat me like a servant because she thought I’d never quit tutoring her 4 children and cried when I did. I only tutor for families who are reliable with session times, prompt payers and who trust me. This is my side hustle though so I understand it’d be slightly different were it to become my main job.

Out tutor didn't charge us in the holidays - she seemed to want the break herself tbh! However I would've paid her to keep the place - she was bloody brilliant!

I’d just say that’s fine but you can’t guarantee you can pick up work from them in September.

Picking up on the non payment aspect, I recommend a direct debit service (e.g. Stripe) for the monthly and upfront payment with a credit card option for term time. I do mine through Freshbooks, but I am sure whatever accounting software you use will have similar.

Make it non-negotiable. You don't need the stress. If the swimming pool does it for your kids lessons, so can you.

There's a weird thing with price points, if you set them too low it actually put a people off because people don't think it could possibly be a quality product at that price.

I think you need to do some market research and look into charging your worth.

I experienced this the hard way when I ran a cleaning business. I'm a nice person, a bit of a people pleaser and ended up doing more and more work for piss all money.

If you want to be kind to your existing clients then you could have a new pricing scheme for new clients and keep your old ones on at the old price. Eventually they'll all move over to the new price through attrition.

Don't take shit. I once had a well known public figure (with a documented annual personal income of at least 15 X my gross income) ask for a £300 refund because they'd booked an extra space and forgotten to cancel until the last moment. Umm... Off you fuck, dear! People are chancers!

My dd has a nursery place and the contract is very clear that there are no unpaid holidays except Christmas and Boxing Day. No free two weeks in the summer as there were many years ago. She did ring around locally and it is standard here. They have to pay their staff and run a business. Your terms are generous in comparison as you are essentially a sole trader.

Whilst it does go with self employed status, you need to make it clear you do not hold places. You can pick up other clients/customers and they need to find another tutor. If you have a space in September, that is fine but they may need issuing with another contract.

Fwiw, my dd is annoyed by the no-fee holiday but it is what it is.

I quite like this.
I'm a tutor and reading this thread makes me realise what a softy I can be!
I still won't be charging for holidays because I never have but my subject means I teach a fair few adults so my income doesn't stop in July.

Well in that case do it. However , if they only want to start with you in September too it might be a case of better the devil you know. Or surely some people must be desperate for fulltime childcare over the summer holidays to make up the gap?

I would recommend that you look into some kind of workshop or course on business management. You sound like you are struggling financially whilst charging '2018' prices etc. You of course need to put up your prices for everyone each year, I actually think its very unfair that some are paying less than others!

You need to have in the contract that they must pay a week/ or 24 hours etc etc in advance and that is non refundable. If someone misses two consecutive sessions and has not paid, they will be removed from the books and the space offered to the next person on your waiting list. Or something along these lines - this is certainly how it worked when I used a tutor!

They can always approach you again in Sept, but their place will likely be filled, and you will add them to your waiting list.

It sounds like you need to be a bit more business savy rather than blaming your clients!

You need to stop expecting them to see your point of view. This is a business arrangement. They have every right to ask, you need to politely refuse and state your terms.

Doubt people would want to pay a tutor for full time child care due to the cost - £40 an hour for say 40 hours a week would be so expensive! Though the child would learn a lot I guess 😂

They are giving you 4wks notice as the contract requires. I would acknowledge the notice of their termination of the contract and thank them for their business. Then go on to notify them that the place cannot be guaranteed for their child to return in September if another client wishes to make use of the available space but if it still free then you would be happy for them to return.
If they return then increase your weekly fee over the year to cover for the 4weeks missed in their new contract that way you won't be out of pocket next time.

this is great advice.

please know your worth @selfemployedwwyd !
get your bussiness thinking on.

for everyone saying "why would I pay for a service I'm not using" are completely unreasonable - does a gym care if you are on holiday or ill? no, you still pay your monthly gym membership. even if you are not using it.

I'd simply say that as they aren't prepared to pay you during their holiday that they are in breach of the contract, as such you can't guarantee the place in September. You can be nice and polite about if, but I'd be tempted to take on clients on a first come, first served basis, and if there is space then great, if not then tough luck.

The nursery I used to use took this approach in their contract. If you take your child out without continuing to pay them, you lost your place. You could apply when you got back, but as most had a waiting list, as soon as one left, they simply filled the spot with another child. So you went to the bottom of the list

"I've been fully booked for the last 7yrs +."

"For context, last year I earned £15k if that matters."

In which case it would appear that you're undercharging for your service - both from the point of view of the demand (you're fully booked) and because you're not really earning anything more than you could earn in a NMW job.

As pp^^ suggest, increase your general pricing from the start of the next term. Nobody should be surprised that you need to increase by at least 5% just to cover the cost of living rises of the last year. Even 10% might barely cover your increased living costs, and we still haven't looked at the supply and demand situation.

If you really are in such high demand, put up the price by even more. Can you not find out what other providers charge? Just ring them up and ask about price and availability. You can do this anonymously if necessary.

If you think that the "summer break" is going to increasingly be an issue, how about closing the service for August (so that you have the month free and can plan your own holidays and activities with your children) but making sure that you've charged enough in the other months to cover the loss of income in the holiday month.

"I've been fully booked for the last 7yrs +." "For context, last year I earned £15k if that matters."

You're undercharging. Why not put your fees up to cover not earning in the Summer, i.e. increase by 12/10ths so you get the same income overall if you don't work in Summer, the icing on the cake being the extra work you can do in Summer, i.e. Summer schools, extra revision sessions, mock tests, etc.

I would stop your usual work over the school summer holidays. Set up small groups/slots for tuition and then parents can opt in for their usual slots as an extra if you are available.

Sure it's possible that several parents will want extra over the holidays but in longer blocks?

The childminder asked you how she should handle annual leave and payment?

Rough maths says you're working 9 hours a week. Is that right?

I've been fully booked for the last 7yrs +."

"For context, last year I earned £15k if that matters."

you charged £30 an hour previously
all new joiners are charged £40

you can’t be rushed off your feet to be on that hourly rate and they that annual salary

Whatever you decide OP

i suggest you handle very carefully
tutors are all about personal recommendations

I presume you're a childminder.

I used to work out a yearly bill. Deduct the 4 weeks of my holiday. And then divide it by 12.

So they paid the same amount each month which benefited me also.

And yes if someone left I'd prefer not to take them back as they were an unreliable client.

Explain to them you will be taking new clients, they are being cheeky.