advice/opinions please…(music lesson invoice)

[wishiwasinbarbados]

Hi.

Not sure how to respond to this, and I would appreciate some views please.

I am a music teacher and have a 1/2 term cancellation notice period, which as far as I know is pretty common. This is written on the invoice the parents receive each term, along a few other T's and C's.

Parent has just told me that they no longer want lessons in Sept.
So I replied very nicely that there is a half term's notice so I will have to bill them for the next half term.

The reply came back that "they didn't know about the notice period and they think it's unreasonable. Their own business (no idea what their business is) only have a 72 hours notice period. And that they can't afford to pay for the next half term."

So, do I engage in an argument? Or let it go? I am self employed, so do not have anyone other than the Musicians Union to back me up, but this seems like a drastic measure for a small amount of money. But should I chase them up on principal? Or just think that times are tough and let it go? I don't know?

I wouldn’t let it go so easily- I’d resend the t’s and c’s and point out it’s what they signed up to and that this is reasonable compared to other music tutors.
can you fill the slot with another child? If so, I’d probably let it go after giving it another shot at getting the half term’s money/doing the lessons.

Given that there is the equivalent of half a term (time-wise) between now and September, it does seem surprising to me that they're already too late to cancel for Sept and must pay till mid-Oct. I've no idea if that's normal for music lessons, but I'd be surprised at being told that giving notice in July means paying till mid-Oct. Can't you give them till the end of this term to give notice?

I agree with having a notice period but is half a term not 6 weeks? They have given you plenty of notice since it is now July and they no longer want lessons in September , especially since it will be a new school year then. I can see why they would initially think its long enough notice

Their attitude towards you is rubbish tho.

Just point out the t&cs on all their invoices. If they push back then I'd probably let it go. Maybe next time VERBALLY mention about the termination notice period, and that it refers to the school year, not holiday periods.

I think I'd point out the T&Cs and that they've seen them, but say that if you can fill the space before September then you won't hold them to it. There's presumably a reasonable chance of you finding someone to take the slot. They might even recommend you to their friends, as it's in their interests for the slot to be filled. If your T&Cs are based on a recommendation from the MU or similar, you could mention that, too, so that they realise that it's fairly standard.

In future years, it may be worth an email reminder to everyone before the summer half-term point, just reminding people to let you know if their child will be stopping lessons, or if changing schools may mean they need a change of slot next year, or if they'd like to discuss whether a longer lesson would be appropriate. It's probably also a good time to flag up if you will be increasing your prices, or that "happily, I will be able to keep fees at the same rate for existing pupils next year".

I wouldn't consider the entirety of the summer holidays not to be equivalent to half a terms notice. It's 6 or 7 weeks now notice. I think YABU.

They’re giving you 6 weeks notice which is equivalent to a half term so I think YABU. Are people really supposed to let you know in May if they don’t want to continue lessons in September?

YABU. It’s ages u til October half term. I’d honour it

My county run music lessons request we tell them by mid May if we wish to cancel from September! Half a term is very clear, so I would go back pointing it out but then leave it if you are able to fill the space by September.