Parents not paying for tutoring, getting beyond a joke now

[Sashavelour65]

This is where I should probably have a written agreement rather than relying on the goodwill of parents as I have done until now.

Started tutoring a GCSE pupil just after Christmas, agreed duration, rate and method of payment were agreed in a phone call before the Christmas holidays.
At the end of the lesson, we verbally agreed to continue the following week.

At the end of the very first lesson the father asked for payment methods and I sent over my bank details immediately after the lesson.
No payment sent, still nothing the next day. I sent a polite reminder, still nothing. 2 days after that I got a 'So sorry I totally forgot!' And a payment that evening with the wrong amount.

I advised on the correct amount, after the next lesson same thing happened. No payment after 3 days, so I texted saying going forward I will require payment within 24 hours of each lesson. They apologised and sent the payment and said they'd set a reminder.

The following week they sent it within 24 hours, so I thought the issue was resolved.

2 days late the week after. This time it's been 4 days and I haven't had the payment.
I've had enough now, they wouldn't do this with another paid service. I am still waiting on Thuesday's payment and I shouldn't have to be chasing up every week. Aibu to just tell them I won't be returning? I feel like they do not respect my time, I don't want to let the pupil down as it's not their fault.

Sounds a good plan.

Put a post on a local facebook group advertising. Tutors are like gold dust round here, I’m sure you’ll be snapped up. I would also advise you use a contract template with payment terms and conditions.

dd does dancing and payment is due first week of each term. I always pay but the teacher is regularly posting reminders that not everyone has paid 5 weeks into term and I’ve always thought wtf?! How cheeky to send your dc to a class you’ve not paid for! It’s a certain type of person.

Stay strong, OP. You deserve to be treated with some basic respect and these clients are just taking the piss.

Start again with someone new. Spell it out from the start and stick to your guns

Stick some adverts in the local shop windows and local Facebook groups which will hopefully get you some clients. Good luck

Our daughters french tutor started having problems with non payment sent a blanket email saying pre-payment would be required moving forward sent us a seperate text apologising as she knows we always paid in advance anyway but we were fine with it and told her not to apologise

Time to request payment before or book new client!

Apologies if this has been said - I only skimmed through. But create a contract and process. Of course people can still ignore it, but having it in place is a bit of protection and gives you something to follow.

could include strikes
could mention pre pay or monthly invoice.
could outline what happens if they’re sick (full pay with 24hrs cancel; 50% for 48hrs)
could outline what happens if you’re sick - no pay needed
include termination of services
mention behaviour expectations
lone working policy

ask ChatGPT if you get stuck

Don’t go again. It’s not worth the hassle

payment now required in advance. Session will not occur without it.

we’ve had a few tutors who all had different payment terms, including paying in advance for the month and paying in arrears for the month!

Send them an email or text which reads as if it's been sent to all your clients. Say that due to repeated late payments and non-payments you now require all outstanding accounts to be brought fully up to date before you will return and payment in advance lessons from now on. Say they will receive a reminder text on the morning of the lesson and if a bank transfer hasn't been received by the time the lesson starts it will not take place.

I can't believe people would be so cheeky (maybe I should believe it). I pay for private counselling for my son, I have ADHD and have difficulty remembering things so I set up a standing order to go in the day before each week's session. It's not that hard.