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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:
Coconutter24 · 03/04/2025 18:29

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.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to pay £5 for a class instead of a free trial, then if the child likes it pay for a block of classes

TeenToTwenties · 03/04/2025 18:30

Coconutter24 · 03/04/2025 18:29

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to pay £5 for a class instead of a free trial, then if the child likes it pay for a block of classes

Show quote history

Agree.

MesmerisingMuon · 03/04/2025 18:37

Lots of sports classes do a free trial.

With school clubs then I would expect to sign up for a term without a free trial.

MsCactus · 03/04/2025 18:39

I don't think you're being unreasonable OP - but I actually wonder if you'd make more money by offering a free trial with the option to buy in a block, rather than only when they attend.

Gyms basically make ALL their money from gym subscriptions where people don't actually attend. I think you could make a lot getting people to sign up in blocks - 9 sessions for the price of 8, or something

wordler · 03/04/2025 18:41

You need to make the £5 sound like the desirable opportunity.

So it’s a special offer of a £5 trial for new customers. Regular drop in rate is £10 or buy a block of ten and get it at the reduced rate of £80.

HeddaGarbled · 03/04/2025 18:42

It’s a marketing strategy. You offer a free session in order to attract new customers. It’s quite common. My keep fit and Pilates teachers both do this.

If your classes fill up anyway, I suppose you don’t need to bother.

MargaretThursday · 03/04/2025 18:44

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.

They have, but they're ones paying per term.
Those who are turn up and pay for the sessions you use don't usually ime because they miss out enough as A is tired, B decided they'd rather see granny, C forgot and it was D's dentist appointment. Amazingly when they pay per term these reason often feature much less.

mysecretshame · 03/04/2025 18:45

Depends on what you offer really.
I wouldn't think of you having to work for free if you have 8 kids there and one is on a free trial.
If everyone is paying £5 a time, then that's different, it's not a trial, that's just what it costs.

TeenToTwenties · 03/04/2025 18:46

The adult choir I go to has a first session free, then PAYG or subscribe.

POTC · 03/04/2025 18:46

MargaretThursday · 03/04/2025 18:44

They have, but they're ones paying per term.
Those who are turn up and pay for the sessions you use don't usually ime because they miss out enough as A is tired, B decided they'd rather see granny, C forgot and it was D's dentist appointment. Amazingly when they pay per term these reason often feature much less.

Show quote history

No, this is both. Mine do a twice weekly sports session with no booking required or payment in advance. They offer 3 free sessions at the start and if you bring your friend along they get the 3 free and you get 1. It encourages new people to give it a go

HuffleMyPuffle · 03/04/2025 18:53

Basically: they aren't seeing you as working for free. They see it that there is money coming in from those regular attendees, which they might well become, and you offering them a chance to try it and see if it works for them without them having to commit where they aren't sure

Jabberwok · 03/04/2025 19:19

I am on a fb group called nightmare customers and non payers....mainly for trades people...but this fits right in. People don't understand that you are running a business and this is have you feed your family.

As so many of the posts her indicate it's expected that you give a free first time. You've not said what you do, but I am assuming it's you and perhaps a couple of staff (that have to be paid). There's insurance, venue hire, cost of equipment...plus a new starter needs more attention...and it's expected to be free?

I'd be polite but say no that's not how you work, it's clear they aren't being cf's but have come to expect free.

Original poster
Owwmumo1 · 03/04/2025 20:00

Thanks to everyone for your replies.
It seems like many would expect a free trial.

I don't ask for a term's fees upfront.
I do offer 3 weeks PAYG trials and then invoice monthly. I do it by the calendar month so the most it would be for one class is £25.

I think I just feel sad as parents will pay £5 for 2 mins bouncing on a trampoline at a fair or £8 for a soft play but not £5 for 45 minutes tuition.

Maybe because it's a hobby for the child they think it's a hobby for me?

As a PP said, I have staff, insurance, music licenses, professional bodies memberships, utilities, business rates, rent etc etc.

I've had 3 parents in the last couple of weeks who have said, after I've stated the above terms - "I thought it was free". And then another one tonight - I just don't think I'm asking for much and it's made me feel a bit rubbish.

OP posts:
Moonnstars · 03/04/2025 20:16

Agree a lot of kids clubs do give at least one week as a free trial. When my children started beavers they got to go for 3 sessions before deciding whether to commit. The same with their karate class.

I am not sure what club you are running (I am guessing dance) and wonder whether parents are confusing you with another dance club if so many keep asking you this? (There are lots of dance clubs near me, like martial arts, so it would be easy for a parent to get confused between what the different clubs are offering).

Marchitectmummy · 03/04/2025 22:44

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.

Was coming to say the same. If it's drop in without a termly commitment then probably is fine not or have a trial but if it's something to sign up for and pay for a term then the norm is a trial.

Just explain to new customers that there is no commitment and no free trial. Do people turn up and pay? Or pre book online, get them to pay when they book either way.

Iwannakeepondancing · 03/04/2025 22:49

£5 is a bargain what is the class btw?!

HealthAnxietyReallySucks · 03/04/2025 22:52

To be fair to the OP if she is only charging by the class and not asking people to sign up and pay for a term in advance, then I don’t see the need for a free trial. You turn up, pay the fiver, if you don’t like it you simply don’t go again. I would maybe want a free trial before committing to an activity that asks you to pay a full term of fees upfront.

WearyAuldWumman · 03/04/2025 22:54

LostMySocks · 03/04/2025 18:13

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.

Show quote history

You pay the Guides on a termly basis these days? I didn't know.

When I was in the Brownies and Guides, we just paid weekly. Mind you, they were oversubscribed.

Chezxx · 03/04/2025 23:10

In all my life of different classes I have never heard of a free trial for a class or activity.
All music lessons, gymnastics, hockey, tennis, art classes, you name it, 100% paid in advance.

It would never occur to me to ask.
CF's

BelleDeJourRose · 03/04/2025 23:30

If everyone offers free trial sessions doesn't it encourage CFs to only ever send their kids to free trials of classes?

BelleDeJourRose · 03/04/2025 23:31

Chezxx · 03/04/2025 23:10

In all my life of different classes I have never heard of a free trial for a class or activity.
All music lessons, gymnastics, hockey, tennis, art classes, you name it, 100% paid in advance.

It would never occur to me to ask.
CF's

Yes, it wasn't a thing when my dc were young. Must be more recent if it's common now

Tbrh · 03/04/2025 23:34

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.

I agree with this, I don't think anyone is doing this for fun. I've also only had one activity which I thought wasn't for DC, all of the others I have joined. If you don't want to offer a free trial then don't? I always assumed people are doing this to get more customers as well as the hassle of refunding if the parent decides they don't like it

TartanMammy · 04/04/2025 00:06

You simply need to make it clearer in your marketing that it's not free. 'Trial classes £5. Up to three trial lessons per child, then £25 per month.'

People are expecting it to be free, not to be cheeky but because that's what many other providers do, it's a marketing tool for them. Child enjoys first class and then hopefully they gain a long term loyal customer, then in time the free class has paid for itself.

m00rfarm · 04/04/2025 00:08

Free trials if you have to sign up for a whole term. Not for a one off £5 activity!

OonaStubbs · 04/04/2025 00:13

Just tell them no.