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 spent 10 years previously as a private tutor and the best decision I made was to manage my bookings via pre-payment.

Everyone paid for their lesson as they booked it. I set out a learning agreement with the bill payer that clearly stated the terms and conditions, including a 24hr notice cancellation policy.

My diary was limited, so people paid to book my time. If they cancelled with less than 24hrs notice, they were charged. If they forgot about their lesson, they were charged. Setting it out clearly in writing and verbally to people made sure I wasn’t bothered by time wasters.

There was only one situation where a student’s family member died, and of course, under the circumstances I didn’t charge them. That was the only exception to the rule. It was very rare I ever had to implement the cancellation policy, so we all worked well together.

I looked after my customers and they in turn looked after me. It worked very well and I would really encourage you to think about implementing something similar. Good luck!

We pay termly in advance. Half term is a good opportunity to change things.

I take a half term’s payment upfront. Your time is valuable.

When I tutored I got paid cash as I left. That was a long time ago now so it will obviously be by bank transfer now, but I would definitely say payment up front.

And if you don't need them as a client give them one last chance and then drop them. When you are providing an ongoing service it's easier to insist on prompt payment because you can say you won't do any more work for them until they pay up. But it's even easier to ask for a term or half term in advance.

But have a fair policy if you have to cancel at short notice, too. Give the customer the option of a refund or a lesson credit, don't just make it a lesson credit.

My DCs have a tutor she was new to it at the start so it was quite casual but I’m assuming she had similar issues (not from me) so now we get an invoice in the school hols for the next half term which is paid in full in advance.

I know it’s annoying but having something more formal is easier for all parties.

It's standard when you have problem customers to request payment in advance.

If they don't like it/want it then they probably aren't worth the bother.

It might be worth pointing out that if the standard terms are within 24 hours, there is little difference between PIA and payment after in terms of funds availability/cashflow.

Otherwise if they refuse that you could just charge them more for taking on the credit risk/payment chasing.

One alternative might be that they simply find "life admin" a bit of a pain, so maybe suggest them paying for a batch of lessons up front.

I’m a tutor and my clients pay upfront for the whole term by bank transfer or cash but it HAS to be the full amount.
When I first started tutoring, I also trusted clients to pay weekly on time. Very quickly, I realised I had to toughen up!

Why are you creating so much extra admin for yourself by having people pay weekly? Get them to pay monthly or even termly. Much easier, and you're always in a stronger position if you have the money up front.

Agree with others that taking payment upfront for a month is the best way forward backed up with your t&c’s. Chasing customers for payment is soul destroying so you should consider cancelling this one. I’ve had similar problems in the past (not tutoring) and with hindsight I should’ve refused to continue with some of these people. I didn’t cancel them because these customers were recommendations from my existing customers and I didn’t want any problems.

It would be better to charge in advance - and preferably for a set number of lessons so that you are assured of your income for a while.

I also have a 24 hour notice cancellation policy. Obviously, if I have to cancel at short notice I offer an immediate refund or for the session’s payment to be deducted from the following term.

My DD tutor sends a PayPal request, I pay. Done.

@Sashavelour65 we pay the day before for tutoring and music. In the past we've had a tutor that preferred cash, so we paid upon leaving. Absolutely don't put up with it!

I tutor too - some parents pay during the session and some take up to 7 days to pay. I sometimes send reminders but I don't get anxious about it not being within 24 hours. Some families are very busy, and I understand that.

Absolutely payment in advance, ideally monthly.

This is why I packed in childminding. Some parents think caring for and teaching their children is an honour for you!

Explain you’re having to use your time to chase them up, so if payment is after 24 h you’re adding a late fee (1/4 of your hourly rate), and after 3 times you may decide to drop them as a client

I made an exception once for a long term regular parent who was going through financial issues because of divorce and she asked to pay weekly.
I accepted that and she never missed a payment.

I issued an A4 size doc of T&Cs which made clear when payment was due, how cancellations could be managed. I didn't offer refunds because I had no time to offer another day if there was a cancellation.

I also had to be very tough about things like school trips etc because some parents thought they didn't need to pay for those lessons, or if their child had a sports match after school.

This is because I could easily have 3 of those in a week = lost income.

You're not being very professional about this.

The vast majority of tutors who tutor as an alternative to working in schools and treat it as a proper job, take payment for half a term or even a term.

Parents can't walk out of a restaurant or the hairdresser because they are too busy to pay.

Well if they ignore the contract they are in breach of it and you stop providing the service surely? What's the problem?

Screw that. I always valued my dc’s tutors and paid right away. They are taking you for granted. Either they pay in advance or you terminate the agreement. Good luck to them finding a GCSE tutor at this stage.

You are now a business and need to act one. Almost all children’s activities are payment in advance - music lessons, scouts, swimming etc.

I’m a tutor and invoices go out on 25th using Tutorbird and payment is due by 1st of the month. It automatically sends out a reminder after 3 days

saves me so much time.

I had my own kid in gcse tutoring last year. I wouldn’t be able to cope with paying something weekly. I paid his tutors in advance.

you aren’t doing it for the kids anymore. It’s your business to pay your bills.

the kids are just a bonus to work with

I have new families starting after half term and just set them up for invoicing. If they don’t pay, no session. I don’t chase them. I don’t turn up. I make it clear in T&C that it is their responsibility to pay or contact me if difficulty

start making moves to monthly invoice. All made by bank transfer as then you don’t need to faff about finding a bank that’s open to pay it in.

many free business accounts offer free invoicing software.

if people mess me about. I no longer have space for them. They remember to pay their bills on time for other stuff. I’m not their PA

Not for tutoring. Same as going to the shop. No payment= no goods.

There's no excuse for this from parents. It's easy to set reminders and takes seconds to do a bank transfer
Definitely insist on payment upfront or just drop them if they are difficult.

I use lots of tutors (several children) and they all require payment in advance or within 24/hours and I would never pay late

Get an online calendar such as Calendly. Put your availability in and in order to book a spot, they have to pay in advance. Very simple.