AIBU I think piano teacher is rude

[ClippyClopp]

I pay for my child’s piano lessons a month in advance.

My child has a group lesson (with one other student) to keep the cost down.

My child was off sick today so I messaged the teacher this morning informing them and saying we would carry this lesson over to then next term.

Teacher responded saying sorry she was unable to credit/ reschedule due to it being less than 24 hours notice. However she would spend longer with my child next lesson.

I responded with ‘how am I supposed to give 24 hours notice with sickness?’

I then got a shirty response ‘you don’t, which is why I am kindly offering to spend extra time next week’

I don’t see how it is an issue given it’s a group lesson that still takes place whether my child is there or not!

This is rude is it not?

Firstly it’s a group lesson so rescheduling will impact on the other person as well.
secondly, the teacher might have a full agenda and so doesn’t have any other time slots to reschedule to. It probably isn’t practical.
If she just refunds you then she out of money.

Yes, sorry op, YABU. Ds has a tutor, if I have to cancel through sickness or other plans, I have to pay. She’s very good and will try to find a cancellation slot for that week but otherwise I’d have to pay. There’s no rolling over to next term, can you imagine the extra work involved in keeping track of her students doing that?

If you're a piano teacher yourself, why are you paying someone else to teach your child piano?

Because sometime children learn better that way

Because sometime children learn better that way

I appreciate that but it still seems like a waste of money to me.

You say to keep your costs down your child shares, so doesn't even have their own private lesson. Why don't you teach your child if you're a proper piano teacher with students? It makes little sense.

I still think it's a reverse too.

There are people that stupid - they expect that they can cancel at the drop of a hat and not pay

They expect they can cancel at the drop of a hat for multiple weeks on end , not pay , and then get angry when they get told they have lost their slot to a paying customer.

It does happen

If you're a piano teacher yourself, why are you paying someone else to teach your child piano?

My mum was a piano teacher for many years, but I was taught to play by someone else - it can be a recipe for disaster, trying to teach your own children! Having a different teacher preserved both our sanities.

I teach a couple of students privately in the evening but it is not my main job. I always reschedule a lesson if a child is off sick, but maybe that’s not standard practice

Perhaps the fact that it's not your main job gives you a bit more financial flexibility? Also bear in mind that your child has a group lesson, so the teacher still has to do the lesson, whether your child is there or not.

But she cannot afford a private lesson @budgiegirl Her child has to share to keep her costs down.

My mother taught me, and I had a private lesson, but only really for exam entering purposes. That's by the by, anyway. I agree with other posters that this is still a reverse with some clumsy backtracking.

I’m a violinist and saxophonist. Both my kids get lessons from someone other than me in those instrument, plus a couple other instrument they chose. It would ruin our relationship if I taught them. I was proved right on that theory when having to homeschool during Covid. We have “school” from 9 to 3 every weekday and it nearly broke us!

Music should be enjoyable and we enjoy playing pieces together but not time teaching them.

*I’m a violinist and saxophonist. Both my kids get lessons from someone other than me in those instrument, plus a couple other instrument they chose. It would ruin our relationship if I taught them. I was proved right on that theory when having to homeschool during Covid. We have “school” from 9 to 3 every weekday and it nearly broke us!

Music should be enjoyable and we enjoy playing pieces together but not time teaching them.*

Fair enough!
I'm surprised the OP wasn't more clued up on the T's and C's then even if they were different to her own 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you for coming back and explaining!

There's a huge difference between what is possible when you teach a couple of students and when you are teaching full-time. Re-scheduling is often just not possible, and teachers are wise to have a policy which protects their income.