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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed with people expecting me to work for free

53 replies

Owwmumo1 · 03/04/2025 17:47

I'm getting so tired of parents expecting "free trials" for after school activities. I have 30 years experience of teaching, industry experience, beautiful studios, staff and a child to support. When people enquire I state - "Classes are £5" but still get people replying "oh I thought we were having a free trial". Why?
I have never been to a cinema, bowling alley, soft play, theme park etc who offer a free trial to see if the child likes it. I would never ask a dog walker or hairdresser or cleaner to do a "free trial" to see if I'm happy.
I'm not asking for them to immediately sign up for a costly membership - just pay £5 for a class. If they don't like it, no problem, if they want to try a different class - absolutely fine.

So AIBU to think I deserve to be paid for my job?

OP posts:
Rosebud21 · 03/04/2025 17:49

YANBU

lnks · 03/04/2025 17:49

Yanbu at all

Flamingoknees · 03/04/2025 17:51

YANBU - they obviously don't think it's a real job, for a real person, who needs a real income.

POTC · 03/04/2025 17:51

The vast majority of clubs and activities that my children have done over the past 15 years have had at least one free trial session. In fact, I can't actually think of anything that didn't! I suspect that's why people are expecting it.

LlynTegid · 03/04/2025 17:54

Too many things have become free at the point of use, and then you have things like trial shifts. This has created an impression or expectation.

YANBU to say no politely OP.

jellyfishperiwinkle · 03/04/2025 17:55

POTC · 03/04/2025 17:51

The vast majority of clubs and activities that my children have done over the past 15 years have had at least one free trial session. In fact, I can't actually think of anything that didn't! I suspect that's why people are expecting it.

This.

Xmasbaby11 · 03/04/2025 17:58

My kids are 11 and 13 and have always had a free trial of new activities. It’s the norm, to check whether the child likes it - very hard to tell without trying, as it’s often a new opportunity. They have carried on with all of them if memory serves.

I would pay £5 for a trial, that’s fine but usually there’s no option for a one off and you have to commit.

it’s not like kids are going to bounce around trying loads - it’s a hassle for parents and generally only do a trial if they are seriously considering it.

PullTheBricksDown · 03/04/2025 18:00

Xmasbaby11 · 03/04/2025 17:58

My kids are 11 and 13 and have always had a free trial of new activities. It’s the norm, to check whether the child likes it - very hard to tell without trying, as it’s often a new opportunity. They have carried on with all of them if memory serves.

I would pay £5 for a trial, that’s fine but usually there’s no option for a one off and you have to commit.

it’s not like kids are going to bounce around trying loads - it’s a hassle for parents and generally only do a trial if they are seriously considering it.

But provided you can just pay for one go, without having to commit, I don't see a problem with paying. Fairest all round. I also don't agree with charging parents for a whole course when the kid hasn't had the chance to see if they like it. You could say that and say that's why you've taken the middle position.

CurlsLDN · 03/04/2025 18:01

It’s because it’s a very common model in your industry - nothing personal and it’s fine for you not to offer it.

however, could you turn this into an upselling opportunity? You could offer £5 PAYG, or if they sign up for a block of 8 sessions they can get 9 for the price of 8?

Ooohlalalalas · 03/04/2025 18:05

It depends on what your terms are really, a lot of dance classes want a full term, non refundable, payment when you sign up. In that case a free trial/discounted no obligation class would be expected. Kids don't know if they will like it until they try it at least once, and I am certainly not signing one of my children up to a non refundable block of sessions without a trial, whether free or not. Free is the usual for anything we've done, I wouldn't demand it, but it's just how it always is.

Katemax82 · 03/04/2025 18:05

Maybe because things like girl guides let you have the 1st one free, but that's a different kettle of fish to someone's own business

museumum · 03/04/2025 18:05

I would hope for a free trial of anything requiring signing up and prepaying a while term. But if it’s just payg £5 a time then I’d expect to pay from the first class.

HuffleMyPuffle · 03/04/2025 18:06

I'd say because a lot of current offerings for ongoing activities will offer a trail session so they are used to it.

Purplebunnie · 03/04/2025 18:06

Always been offered free trial. I have never asked for it and I never would, it's just always been offered

TeenLifeMum · 03/04/2025 18:08

My DD’s dance school does free trial sessions for the first 2 weeks of each term. It gives dc the chance to try something new before parents commit. I think it’s standard so while it’s totally fine for you not to offer that, I think it’s unfair to suggest parents are being cheeky fuckers. (I used to do freelance PR and the number of people who thought I’d make them a logo and brand designs for free was unreal. Local church was the worst).

thebear1 · 03/04/2025 18:09

Because some places do, my ds has started a new hobby and first session was free. I don't expect it but can see why people ask.

HuffleMyPuffle · 03/04/2025 18:10

It's unlikely you'll get every week being purely free trials and people not staying on as well, so how much difference does 1 or 2 "free children" make compared to the money they might then potentially bring in?

Guitaryo · 03/04/2025 18:11

POTC · 03/04/2025 17:51

The vast majority of clubs and activities that my children have done over the past 15 years have had at least one free trial session. In fact, I can't actually think of anything that didn't! I suspect that's why people are expecting it.

Same here, clubs & activities vary so much that I wouldn't commit to one without a trial session.

LostMySocks · 03/04/2025 18:13

Katemax82 · 03/04/2025 18:05

Maybe because things like girl guides let you have the 1st one free, but that's a different kettle of fish to someone's own business

I'm a Guide leader. We offer 2 trial sessions before they commit to the term fee but they still have to pay the full fee should they join.
But we are volunteers and it won't usually cost us to much extra to add one or two who don't stay over the course of the year for an introductory session.
Offering a free trial before paying gives parents the confidence that they're nit going to waste their money on something their daughter doesn't enjoy.

DenholmElliot11 · 03/04/2025 18:16

Are they expecting a free trial or just enquiring as to whether there is one?

It's all potential business I guess but if you're classes are full anyway then your not obliged to give a free trial so just say no.

Ewock · 03/04/2025 18:17

Clubs and activities outside of school have run a free trial session bit school clubs never have round us. I'm guessing as they're teacher run and not something you're signing up for long term. At the schools near me they run for the half term.

GravyBoatWars · 03/04/2025 18:17

Posters are ignoring the facts in your post for whatever reason.

Free trial sessions make perfect sense and are expected when parents can only sign up for packages/terms or drop-in rates are exorbitant. But you have specifically noted that that is not the case here, so $5 is perfectly reasonable. You’re not asking parents to commit to multiple sessions without their child trying it out once first.

This is perfectly fine. Depending on your offering and structure you might find that doing designated trial sessions that are shorter and designed as tasters once a month (some of our local activities do this through schools or youth groups) makes sense as a form of advertising, but you don’t have to.

GRex · 03/04/2025 18:22

We see a lot of free trials. If you allow a single lesson payment then it's fine. The main issue is when you sign the child up for a term of drama / athletics and then after lesson 1 they declare the other kids are all too young to chat / run much too fast, so they don't want to go.

TeenToTwenties · 03/04/2025 18:25

I would expect a free trial for anything that is paid for in blocks.
Something that you pay weekly though, probably not, but it could be a good loss leader really.
DD did a Drama group where they had a 'bring a friend' session each term which was another way of recruiting.

Maviaz · 03/04/2025 18:28

YANBU but you need to make very clear they can pay as they go.
Free trials are the norm when you then have to sign up and pay for a term. But if this is not your business model then you need to make that clear.

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