Help me NOW please!!!

[lagin]

K guys, answer really fast, like before 2 hours is up!  I spent all of last month hounding down my payment from this one parent, and I told him that this is the last time we can do this, to be fair to everyone else.  I do have a studio policy stating that monthly payments are to be made at the first lesson of that month.  

They start with, I'll bring it tomorrow.  Tomorrow by definition never gets here, hehe.  So, if (it might not) but if it happens again, do I send the child (who loves piano lessons) home with them and not give a lesson.  I don't want to be mean to the child, but this parent is the type to see just how far they can go.  For example, they never used to show up, till I started charging for missed lessons.  Now I always get notice from them, and they hardly miss a lesson.  

I know I have to be firm, (it doesn't help that I'm only 20), but I don't want the child to suffer.  Oppinions welcome (SOON), and good advice needed.  Thanks everyone.  P.S.  I have a change of payment plans for next year, but this summer is the crossover period, so they do pay month by month for now, and I can't change that yet.  I just need to get through July and August.  Then I'll do six months postdated cheques.  But for now, help!

[amanfang]

Stick with your policy.  They are not exceptions.  The child will not "suffer" by missing a lesson.  Send them home unless they pay.  Show them your written (hopefully) policy, or the one that they (hopefully) signed saying that they understand and agree to your policy.  Or something.  Nonetheless, stick to your policy.  Once you make exception for one, you have to make exception for everyone.

[pianohopper]

threaten legal action! grrrr...  that'll scare ppl into doing what you want/
 
If you have a studio policy in writing thats golden. 

call their house pretend to be a lawyer 

[thalbergmad]

You have a right to be paid for your services. Being a piano teacher is no different to any other business. If you teach someone for nothing, it is not fair on the others.

I am afraid head must beat heart on this occasion.

[jeremyjchilds]

Do you really need this stress?

If the student leaves, it's thier parents fault, not yours or thiers
I had a student like that, and now he's gone and a great student came in a few weeks later to fill his spot. I actually enjoy teaching my thrusday 6:45 spot now instead of dreading it!!!

[lagin]

Thanks guys.  Yes my policy is written, but they didn't sign it.  They just all get a copy.  You're right, I do dread this time slot, and consequently the whole day, which steals the joy from teaching those before and after her, too.  Hopefully, hopefully, he will just cooperate for these next two months.  But with this guy, you just never know.  She will suffer if she misses a lesson, for I only get to see her every other week, and she is not to the point yet where she can learn a piece on her own.  (still learning notes).  But, it seems to be the only option I have.  Thank you for the encouragement, and speedy replies.  I gotta go finish practicing and make my house presentable for my students.  Bye

[Bob]

Decide what you're willing to put with.

If you've got a policy in place, you need to stick to that until it's up and you can change it.

Six months postdated cheques?  What's that?  You have them write out a check that's postdated six months in the future?

Have them pay in advance.  Don't start lessons unless until they've paid.  They're the ones on the losing end if they skip lessons this way.

Legal action's not worth it.  Too much time and money.  Decide how much you can let slide.  If necessary, bit the bullet and cancel lessons and hope they pay.  Better to lose a little money than a lot.

Ah, and don't start lesson until they return that policy sheet (along with paying in advance).


All the policy and 'pay in advance' is great, but in reality if you're struggling to make ends meet, you have to put up with some garbage.  If you don't need the money, then it's less of a worry whether you ever get paid or you can turn away students who are a pain.  If you really want to feel guilty, it's good for the child -- it's not their fault if the parents mess things up.  You should put up with all the garbage for the good of the child right?  Guilt, guilt, guilt... lol...    Some people will be scared away by the formality of the lesson policy sheets too.  Simple is good for that and hopefully they actually read it.

Here's a little trick -- Create a general memo that appears to go out to all students and parents.  You could probably really hand it out to everyone -- Even if they don't miss payments, a reminder never hurts.  In a general memo, say you appreciate those who pay on time and that several parents are late in paying.  Not just one, several -- you don't single anyone out and it's not like your pointing a finger at someone demanding they pay.  Several people aren't paying on time, please respect the lesson policy agreement, it's simply not possible for you to teach lessons for free for an extended period of time.... something like that.  Then make sure the family's that need to get the memo get it and if the rest get it too reminders don't hurt.

If a certain family is being a problem, just talk with them.  Tell them specifically how many payments they missed ("You've been late paying me five times.")  Give them a special agreement to pay you back -- with a deadline.  If they can't make that, then really consider cutting them off -- they're probably too unorganized.  If they don't return the signed policy sheet, ask if they have any questions or if they want to discuss anything in it.  Sometimes, it's just a matter of a tactful reminder. 

Another idea is to have a deadline for that payment.  If they miss that and want to pay later, the cost is more.  "Payment due by January 1st, 200X.  The lesson fee is $X.XX (X% marked up) after that date."   In other words, they pay on time, or pay more.  That marked up pay can ease the stress of dealing with people that do this type of thing.  You can justify it by saying you need to prepare for the upcoming semester and people who register at the last minute take extra last minute preparation.  Or keep it simple -- It's $50 extra if you pay late.


I like having the policy in place and then I can relax it.  If they don't pay on time I can stand there, act like I'm thinking and agonizing a little, and then give them extra time -- and be specific with an extended deadline -- "Ok, I guess I can give you an extra week, but I reeeeeally need to get paid for this date, otherwise bad things will happen for me."  This way it appears you give them something and you're working with them (and you really are, you just don't expect them all to pay by the first deadline).  When this happens a few times, you can tell them you let them pay late x-number of times, but you can't do they anymore -- they must pay on time or you can't teach them.


It really depends on what you want and how much you want to play games and put up with things.  There is a point where the effort outweighs and the money you receive and even the student's education -- because you could be teaching another deserving kid instead of the one that wastes your time messing with money issues.

When parents don't pay on time or the student forgets things, I take it as a sign that they aren't as serious about lessons.  If it happens too much, I start looking for ways the situation will benefit me -- what can I learn about this type of student, how can I use this student to become a better teacher and help my other students (guniea pig idea).  If I'm not getting paid monetarily, I am getting paid with hands-on, useful experience.  I don't think doing this, but it does benefit my teaching and my other students.  I figure the money they don't pay I will make up for in the future by being a better teacher.  I also figure that if they haven't met their end of the bargain (what's written in the policy statement) then I have  a little wiggle room to experiment with teaching ideas.  Have them buy that new book you want to learn more about just so you can see how it works with a student, that type of thing.  I see it as a way of balancing things out when parents do this type of thing. (although it's still distasteful)

[lagin]

Hi Bob, what I meant is that they will give me six postdated cheques for the first of each month.  Then at the first of each month I will cash a handful of cheques.  That way, they can't forget to write me one, it's already done.  I also have the option of paying up front in cash, if they don't have a chequing account (i'm fairly certain one of my student's doesnt').  I don't want to force them to come up with hundreds of dollars in one sitting because they aren't rich out where I live.  If cheques start bouncing, then of course I'll have to.  They can keep the policy sheet, as I print them out for everyone.  Oh, good idea about them memo, but I only have 3 students, and they know that (from the end of the year recital), so I really can't have "several" not paying.  Good idea for when I get more though.  Thanks

[Bob]

The check idea is new to me.  Interesting.  I wonder if it's a hassle dealing with all the checks though? 

What about using the school semester calendar?  Ask for a full semester's pay and then give them the option of paying for half the semester too?  Something like an 18 week (4-5 month) semester.  The half-semester payment would be for about two months (9 weeks).  They might be able to handle that and you can still keep your 'pay in advance' policy going -- pay the second half of the semester by this date, or no more lessons.

You might want to double check your communication too.  Sometimes, policies are too complex for people to understand.  Sometimes it's not emphasized what you expect people to do. 

[Bob]

Or give them an incentive to pay early.  $20 off if you pay now for next semester, or a free lesson if they pay for next semester (giving lessons away doesn't require you actually lose any money).

That way they choose how much they want to pay.  If they pay early, you make less but are more secure (and indebted to them to follow through with the lessons).


Yeah, three students.  You probably have to put up with a lot.  I would be sure to hand out revised policy statements and emphasize what you want on them.  Have them sign and return those.  Update maybe every six months or every semester.

[abell88]

The check idea is new to me.  Interesting.  I wonder if it's a hassle dealing with all the checks though? 

I use these for many of my students. Parents are happy to know exactly how much they will have to deduct from their chequebook each month (I just divide the year's tuition by 10; they pay 10 cheques from Sept. 1 to June 1 -- that way we don't have to worry about how many lessons in a particular month.)

I bought a self-inking stamp from Staples with my chequing account number on it, so I don't have to endorse the cheques...as soon as I get them I stamp them, then put them in a little plastic case that has dividers for the different months. On the first of the month I add them all up and deposit the money...and, briefly, feel very rich!