Who is being unreasonable?

[ponita]

DS (9) attends a club. Fees are paid monthly, in advance and vary depending on how many clubs occur during that month. They don't operate on school holidays but also follow a different schedule of holidays to our school (for example no club this week even though school started today) - club is not associated to any school.

I pay my fees as soon as the invoice arrives in my inbox, as in within minutes. Today I received an email from the club advising that they expect me to pay on the first of the month and not when I receive the email. My issue with that is it can be hard to work out how much I owe every month. They don't accept annualized payment (e.g equal payments each month). Some months I've paid £96, £124, £132 or £144 so it's not straightforward.

AIBU or are they?

Ask them to email you the bill on the first of the month?

They don't tell you how much to pay but expect you to work it out? I'd that's the case yanbu!

Yeah that's exactly the case.

If the invoice was received before or on the 1st then I would pay it on the 1st.

I have asked for a list of each months payment amount so I can do it.

Is it actually possible to do this - i.e. do they release info on classes and prices in advance? I suppose if they do then you could do it, but what would happen if you made a mistake in the maths and the payment was wrong when the invoice landed?

Ooh sorry X posted.

To be clear I think they are being unreasonable!

Yeah they don't release it out, I think they should. I find out in the invoice when it is and isn't on.

They are not only BU but a bit ridiculous since it’s not a set amount.

Is there an issue with others not paying that’s forced this non-sensical situation onto everyone?

If that’s the case then the non/late payers need tackled, instead of making it difficult for everyone- I hate it when this happens though appreciate running these sorts of things must be challenging.

So they expect you to just guess? 😂 Ridiculous.

I would reply saying that if they would like paid on the first of the month, they either:

Email you with the price on the last day of the month

or

Set up a direct debit payment

or

Work out the costs over the whole year and a standardised monthly payment.

The resolution to this is entirely in their hands.

That’s ridiculous you cant pay based on guess work. Either they invoice you on the 31st or 1st of the month to pay or they work out the average over the 12 months and you pay that.

If I’m understanding this correctly, YANBU. I would tell them they need to email you on the 1st of each month to let you know how much you need to pay, otherwise you will set up a standing order and pay 1/12 each month.

I used to run kids classes. I'd have loved a parent like you who paid promptly as soon as the email invoice landed (I did also send out a breakdown each term with the class dates and monthly instalment amounts so it can be done) AND I also offered a 12 monthly equal instalment option. This was a lot more admin so I understand the, not offering that option but there is no excuse for the rest.

Our club is like that each month is different, they send an invoice 3 weeks into the month then take payment on the 1st.
no way would I want to be working it out each time

Of course they should, if they want people to pay before they send out the invoices. Do they know it’s not sent out? I can’t imagine what would be going through their heads thinking you could pay before the invoice in a situation like this??
If they want earlier payment, they need to sort their invoices earlier

This sounds ridiculous. They either need to work out a monthly charge (perhaps based on averages) or invoice people monthly. For example my children do scouts and we pay by standing order the same amount every month despite scouts not running over the summer. For music lessons however because the number changes each term based on term length/inset days etc the music teacher sends an invoice each term.

So not only are you being invoiced random amounts each month, you only find out at the point of receiving the invoice when the club is on for the coming month?

What a shitshow.

I'd be emailing the back immediately telling them if they want you to pay on X date then you need the invoice with the AMOUNT to be able to make payment.

Idiots.

I'd be inclined to pay the £96 (the lowest monthly amount you've had) on the 1st of each month and let them chase you for the balance each month!

Absolutely ridiculous of them. What would happen if you paid the wrong amount?

Dear club owners.

I cannot pay an invoice where thecammoubtbus unknown. Where the invoice arrives before the month end, ideally with a weeks notice, I will indeed pay it before the first of each month.
Unfortunately I am not able to pay an invoice where the amount is unknown.

Ponita

PS I hear the people saying you want the invoice on the last day, but for the sake of the people who need more than a few hours notice, suggesting a week may be kinder to me them.

Thanks all. I wondered if I was missing something but it does seem like the club is a bit bonkers!