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.

I would either start insisting on payment in advance and explain that if they fail to agree to your terms, you'll cancel the sessions. If they kick off, you've not lost out because they sound as flakey as hell anyway.

I had the same problem with one of my students. I didn't ask for prepayment but every other student would pay me immediately. The problem one's parents used to "forget" and would usually pay me after a reminder a few days later. In the end I'd had enough and told them I was no longer available. I had lots of enquiries so I was able to fill her spot immediately, with someone who paid on time!

Just replace this student with someone whose parents actually pay.

You can tequest upfront payment

Insist on payment in advance for a block of lessons. If they grumble and don’t want to pay, then no lessons. You’re the one holding all the cards here.

We pay DS’s guitar tutor for 6 bi-weekly lessons in advance.

Dear Mary and John
I am happy to continue to tutor Joe on a Monday at 5-6 pm but you have been late with payments for the last 10 sessions. This causes an additional workload to Chase as per my my term and conditions payment must be made in advance or the same day of the lesson. I am happy to take a lump sum in advance but from now on any late payments will involve an additional £10 charge for each 24 after the lesson that payment is not made.

Something like that?

I pay my hairdresser (known her for years) on the same day by bank transfer and we pay my son’s guitar teacher a block payment of 10 lessons in advance.

A lot of people have advised the OP to do this. She is yet to say, "Yes, that's the best idea, isn't it?"

No idea why she seems reluctant to do so.

This!!!!

Tell them if payment is not made 24 hours in advance the session will not go ahead. Stick to it

I have always had to pay in advance of tutoring and driving lessons.

Always payment in advance and if it’s not forthcoming, simply don’t show up.

I pay a few teachers for lessons for my DD and I have them set up in online banking on my phone so always just pay them during the lesson when I'm either sat watching or in the car waiting. If I didn't do that I wouldn't remember so that's the best thing for me and the teachers actually prefer to be paid lesson to lesson rather than in blocks.

Have you looked at other tutors terms and conditions.
Our sons tutor sent them to us before she started and required payment in advance for blocks of one month and also one months cancellation.
Yanbu for being annoyed with them not paying.
But yabu for not conducting your business properly and devaluing your time and experience.

You need prepayment for the month and 48 hours notice of cancellation to stop pisstakers like this.

You have bills to pay like everybody else.

I pay for a tutor for my grandchild. The tutor's terms are payment of one term's fees in advance, plus a refundable deposit. If we wish to cancel, we either need to give half a term's notice or forfeit the deposit. That seems fair enough, to me.

Maybe you could adopt a similar policy, OP?

Is Theusday Wednesday?

I like it 😀

(yes, I know, it's a typo)

We pay a tutor for A-levels always paid the day before.
we were told by agency not to pay in block which I would prefer.

but we have a standing order set up so the payment goes out.

I’ve missed 1 payment as I forgot to set up the standing order again after the holidays - the payment was made on the day of the session - I was profusely apologetic.

agree they need you more as it’s their child’s education - starting again with a new tutor will be an absolute pain for them but they deserve the inconvenience.

drop them take the new customer and teach them a lesson they hadn’t paid for

Find another student to tutor. You'll spend more time chasing payments than you will give lessons with parents like that.

I would just ditch them if you've got others interested. They've had their chance.

My DS has had several tutors in the past and I paid the month in advance and never thought anything of it! Everything else you have to pay in advance so I don't see why parents should find this an issue.
Also when he did piano lessons, I used to have to pay the term in advance. That's all quite normal

tell them that since they are so late in payments and owe you money you have been deliberately teaching their precious offspring all the wrong stuff

My child's tutor used to take payment in advance for each term. Stop letting people mess you around!

I'm a tutor. I don't chase payments. First one is paid upfront. After that they can choose to pay on the day. Anyone I've had to chase more than twice I have let them go.
I'm fully booked

I have had a tutor ask for payment for the month in advance, together with T&C's saying that any cancellations were still payable. As a self employed person you can make your own terms: I definitely would ask for advance payment in this situation.

I tutor. My requirement is weekly payment, paid after tutoring and before the next lesson or I don't do the next lesson. I don’t charge for cancellations because it is not my main job and I can manage.the odd let down. It works for me.