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.

Take a chill pill or get new clients, they're not going to change.

When we’ve used a tutor for DD we had to pay up front at the start of the month. We were text the week before payment was due to remind us of the amount and date due.

We had one session per term that we could miss and not be charged (following month would be credited) to allow for illness or holiday. Any other sessions missed were charged.

I found the above very reasonable and wouldn’t dream of not paying on time.

You should change to payment in advance like most other tutors.

Also do you have a cancellation policy? If the client wants to cancel within 24 hours of the scheduled lesson, they should pay for your time. These parents would probably screw you over cancelling a lesson.

Say you are changing your payment method from next month you are doing block bookings "term to term or monthly and bill them then they have to pay in advance, they don't have to know how the other parents pay .

Been there, done that. Get rid of them. I was always cash at the end of the lesson but these particular parents wanted to pay by bank transfer. And didn't. I swear they did it deliberately.
Don't know when this kids exams are, but you're on a hiding to nothing if they are this summer.
I wouldn't take kids this close to the exams. They were usually wasters who have done no work throughout the course and their parents have suddenly got the mock results. Panic stations

@Sashavelour65 I’m sorry, but they’ve shown you they can’t be relied on. But you’ve also shown them you’re a soft touch!
Tell them your contract has changed!
Explain that obtaining goods/ services without paying as agreed is theft, and when it’s allowed to walk out of a supermarket with milk without paying…. you’ll consider it!
Unfortunately you’re learning the hard way…….

Surely the done thing is payment on the spot. Don't give them 24 hours.

You are leaving yourself open to issues by not having proper terms and conditions. What happens if a pupil cancels on the day are you happy for them just not to pay? If ai paid a tutor I would expect to pay you on the first of month for all upcoming sessions due in that month

Absolutely. No payment, no session.

Yes - there's no minimum amount. And if she has a written, signed contract, she would win and be owed the money, plus her costs.

Tell them they need to pre-pay, tell them the amount. The end. No prepayment, no lesson.

There might not be a formal contract but that doesn't mean you can't enforce some boundaries. DD has singing lessons, I've never signed a contract but have to pay in advance or during the lesson. If I forget (only one time!) I get a reminder text within 24 hours and I'd lose her place if I didn't pay!

OP, are you new to tutoring and worried about reviews etc if you set a hard line with them?

It's a nightmare - my dad runs a busy music school and it's becoming more and more common that the parents don't pay their bills. If he asks for payment in advance, they will book a load of lessons in and then just not pay and not show up (of course my dad still has to pay the music teacher for being there!) It's always the "wealthier" parents who don't pay as well. He has quite a few students from the local school whose parents are on UC or other benefits and they always pay on time! But the ones in a brand new BMW are a nightmare to track down.

"Dear Mr and Mrs cf,

In December we discussed and agreed on the amount and timing of the fees you would pay for me to tutor your son. Unfortunately you have not stuck to our agreement and I am often forced to chase you for payment.

In future please pay me for each session at least 3 days in advance (or whatever suits you). Unless I can see the amount has reached my bank account the day before each lesson is due, I will not be teaching the lesson and will have to withdraw from teaching any future sessions. I would be sorry to lose Damian as a pupil, but I cannot afford to work for nothing, and I do not have the time to keep chasing up the money you owe me."

You don’t have to change your rules for your other pupils if you don’t want to, but it might be a good idea to have a formal signed contract and payment in advance for everyone.

I'd use the 'incessant nag' technique. Never fails. Basically text, or even better ring, on a daily basis until they are so sick of the nagging that they pay up. You shouldn't have to, but it works.
Of course dont accept any more work with them once payment received.

Funny how these people never actually "forget" to show up for the lesson though!

Voted YABU as need payment upfront. Far too many pisstakers out there.

Once agreed that you are continuing offer them a 5 or 10 session upfront payment with a discount. If they don't want to do that then they pay at least 24 hours before the session or you don't do it.

Payment in advance. No payment, no lesson
.

I think you should tell them that you will not be arriving for tutoring unless they have paid in advance.
If they sqwark bin them

Definitely switch them to payment termly in advance.

I’ve used two different tutors for both my older children in different subjects outside of school hours, for both I had to pay in advance per half term.
I think once you’ve decided on the duration you need to charge in advance.
I think most tutors work this way, if the tutor cannot make a lesson due to illnesses either carried over with the next invoice adjusted or refunded.
The music lessons, science club etc ant school all have to be paid for half termly in advance.

Couple tutors we have used have what's app the terms and condtition.

Payment has to be made 24 hours before by bank transfer or in cash at the start of the lesson.

Theres cancellation terms and conditions too.

Take payment before the lesson!

You don't necessarily have an ongoing contract or relationship with a hairdresser, in the same way as you would with a regular tutor. A hairdresser is more a shop mentality - albeit you're buying a servuce rather than goods - rather than a self-employed person without clear business premises.

It sounds like they are paying regularly; just a few days after rather than before.

That said, OP is perfectly within her rights to insist on payment in advance or on the day, and to swiftly end the agreement with anybody who is unwilling or unable to meet this requirement.

Tell them that you are going to pursue them through the Small Claims Court if they don't pay up today.

You need a proper contract.

I would ask for the money again, but mentioning you will be asking for legal advice.