Bothered but am I over reacting ?

[Adm1010]

I pay for music tuition for a member of my family . They have been having tuition now for around 18 months . Nothing in writing but the agreement is I pay direct to the tutor every 4 weeks in advance . I’ve never missed a payment or paid late

A couple of times the tutor has messaged me a few days before I’m due to pay asking if I can pay early , no problem , I’ve paid

Today I got a message asking if I’d consider paying early ( not due to pay till 24th and have one session to go on the ones I’ve already paid for ) They cited cash flow issues and an unexpected bill.

ive had to say no as I don’t have the money spare myself this week and I work to a tight weekly budget . It’s left me feeling really upset and embarrassed that I’ve had to say no and reveal my own money issues and tight budgeting restrictions . I found myself over explaining and apologising!

Im very unsure why I feel so upset and off kilter over this and not sure what to do going forward! I guess my AIBU is whether I’m overreacting to let this bother me .

You are being unreasonable to be embarrassed OP, they're the ones who should be embarrassed, bearing in mind that you usually pay in advance, them asking for the money to be paid before it's due is a bloody cheek! In future, just say I'm sorry I don't have the money until it's due.

It isn't your responsibility for their cash flow issues. You pay for your services on time. Not early. Don't feel embarrassed, but next time, remember... No is a complete sentence. You do not have to justify your No to anyone.

Thankyou . I’m annoyed at myself that this is bothering me so much!

I'm a tutor, and I would never have the audacity to do this. They should be embarrassed, not you!

I’m guessing they may be embarrassed as well for sure . I’m hoping they don’t ask me again .

Very unprofessional from the tutor

This is absolutely ridiculous and I’d seriously consider finding a new tutor. Imagine having the audacity to not only repeatedly request early payments for a private service, but actually managing to make to client feel guilty for saying no! Please don’t pay them early again, at the very least.

Tutor here. I expect clients to pay on time. Not late

And, importantly, not early if they don't want to. It's welcome but I would never expect it. My cash flow is my problem not theirs.

Their cash flow problem isn't your issue.

This would be enough for me to find another tutor as I think this is highly unprofessional and it would really piss me off.

Absolutely. This is not on you.