Show me the money parents! :)

[Bob]

How do you go about asking parents for money when they miss a lesson?

You've got your policy out.  They've agreed to it.  They miss the lesson, but say nothing.  They owe you the money and have technically already agreed to pay you for any missed lessons. 

How do you politely ask for the lesson money without saying something like "Hey! You owe the lesson money anyway!  You already agreed to pay!  Now pay up already so we're even and I don't have to waste time running a tally sheet and keeping track of your mistakes!"  (then I take off the Godzilla mask...)

That would not be the best thing to say, but that's what's going through my mind at the time.

[jeremyjchilds]

My best Friend Mr. Post-dated Check has some advice for this situation...

[pianistimo]

one teacher i knew simply held out his hand.  i don't suggest this although it would work with the godzilla mask.  also, he demanded cash.  ?  he was retired (in california) so i never forgot to bring cash just in case he wouldn't let me out the door.  i'm not suggesting this.  but, it is one idea.

[leahcim]

How do you politely ask for the lesson money

With words like please and thank you.

Alternatively, combine it with the other things you have to tell them - e.g "Sorry, Sarah couldn't make it this week, I know it looked like she was crying after our last lesson but I think it was actually chlorine fumes from the mixture of chemicals I douse the piano keyboard with between lessons - p.s you still owe me $10"

OTOH, there's always an invoice / bill - that'll probably keep the tax man happy too.

[amanfang]

What about pay-by-the-month due at the BEGINNING of each month?  If the student doesn't make a payment at the beginning of the month, lessons are suspended.  You could even charge a late fee.

[Bob]

Hey Bob!  Interesting thread.  Great as always if I do say so.

Why don't you ask them what they want to do about the lesson policy, in terms of payment?  "How do you want to handle paying for the lesson in terms of that lesson policy?  Because I was supposed to know in advance if you were going to miss a lesson and you said you knew the whole day that Junior was sick...."  That way they will be the ones to make the decision to pay you.  You have to talk to them.  Phone is fine.  They will know they owe you the money most likely.  If they didn't read the policies, then this is the time they will find out.  You basically imply "How do you (the parent) want to handle paying me (the teacher) for the missed lesson?   Because the policy you signed says you need to pay me in this situation...  and because if you don't pay me and break the rules, then what prevents me from skipping a lesson too in the future?"  Something along those lines right?

I bet you think I'm a genius now don't you Bob?  Well, you can go on thinking that because I am.  


I actually like the idea of having them pay for the lesson in advance.  I bet they would be sure to show up if they had already paid for it.  When they miss it, at the next lesson you can ask for payment for that current lesson because "well, you (the parent) have already paid for that missed lesson, but owe for the current one.... at least that's what we agreed in the policy right?"

These type of people are really less serious.  Don't put as much effort into them if they're not putting in the effort with you either.

[pianistimo]

bob, i had a pay at the beginning of the month policy, too.  and, you're right, if people want to miss lessons make sure you put a red dot on that day on your calendar and call for reschedule during the week or something, but remind them that you don't make up lessons after the end of the month.  each month should be full payment.  otherwise you can't make a living.

it's a reasonable request.

[bernhard]

Yes, Amanfang and pianistimo are spot on.

Do not charge per lesson. Charge per month, in advance.

 In fact, explain in your policy that lessons are for free. 

What they are paying for is preparation time and your expertise. The lesson is a bonus.  Anyone who pays monthly in advance gets one free lesson/week (if that’s your way of teaching)! What about that for marketing?

Best wishes,
Bernhard

[Bob]

I wouldn't mind giving them a bit of a discount and doing away with that bonus.   It's just another gimmic to me.

[jeremyjchilds]

Yes, Amanfang and pianistimo are spot on.

Do not charge per lesson. Charge per month, in advance.

 In fact, explain in your policy that lessons are for free. 

What they are paying for is preparation time and your expertise. The lesson is a bonus.  Anyone who pays monthly in advance gets one free lesson/week (if that’s your way of teaching)! What about that for marketing?

Best wishes,
Bernhard

That's clever...

Just get the post-dated cheques, and it's smooth sailing...

[Kassaa]

'Gimme teh Money'

'I want my money'

'This is your last chance'

'You get a chainsaw out of your bag and saw of a toe'

'You get a gun and shoot in their leg'

'Oops, seems you've killed him, get the money of his body.'

Or something like that. I probably played to much Drug Lord 2.

[jeremyjchilds]

'Gimme teh Money'

'I want my money'

'This is your last chance'

'You get a chainsaw out of your bag and saw of a toe'

'You get a gun and shoot in their leg'

'Oops, seems you've killed him, get the money of his body.'

Or something like that. I probably played to much Drug Lord 2.

I think I will try that

[eastcountypiano]

I bill the first of the month or rather the first time I see the student at the beginning of the month.   During the month if someone doesn't show up, well, it's already paid, and their is no refund.  It also helps the student/parent to show up when they know they have already paid. 

If I ever credit a student, I credit them for them on the bill the next month.  This doesn't happen too often.

anyway, the above doesn't help you with this situation.  I would handle it very casually, as the payer gets ready to pay you for the lesson you just gave or about to give you remind them as they pull out their checkbook.... "Don't forget to add on last week's lesson that you missed."  They will probably look at you blankly and then you say, "The total amount will be $____"  If they still look at you blankly then you say, "Do you need a pen?"  Rehearse it before hand and it will go smoothly.   



 

[ashcatty]

I hate it when parents don't pay for their missed lessons. Somehow it is right after they have just been on an expensive vacation and then they feel put out with you that you think you should be paid adequately for your job!  I just tell them that when they go on vacation it doesn't mean they can deduct off of their phone or Smud bills.

[Aziel]

Put a gun to their back's and yell "This is a Stick Up!!". 

[gorbee natcase]

as a pupil I would feel totay embarresed to try and pull a stunt like that, I feel embarresed for you and the parents, ( I hate the general public)

[gkatele]

Many years ago, when I first started taking lessons - back in the '60's (I said it was long ago!) I remember my mother bringing a check to each lesson, and it was pay-as-you go.

Consequently, when I started again, last year, I was a bit surprised that my teacher, when we had scheduled a block of 4 lessons, asked for payment in advance. I have no problem with it, for it makes a commitment for both of us - for she owes me a lesson, and I owe her to show up, and, of course, to practice! Because of my goofy schedule, I have had to cancel lessons, with the understanding that it is my loss - I've already paid for it.

Having said that, there are times when she is gracious enough to reschedule, but if she doesn't I completely understand.

Paying in advance is good for everyone involved, it seems to me.


George

[jeremyjchilds]

Paying in advance is good for everyone involved, it seems to me.
George

I agree so much...its a funny thing how people will just treat you the way you expect to be treated just as long as you expect it right from the beginning.

Another interesting thing is that I raised my rates a while ago, people who stayed on started making way more progress, I guess they figured taht if they were shelling out way more money, they had better practice way more...

[joyfulmusic]

Ever since it has been my policy to get paid for the month at the beginning of the month, I have been blissfully free of this problem.  It also cuts down on time spent with the student.  I have 42 students and five minutes per student starts to really add up.  Do you give students a written policy?  Also, if there is a family that is consistently doing this, I suggest you get rid of them.  Respect yourself, and others will follow suit.

[jeremyjchilds]

Respect yourself, and others will follow suit.

Well said...

[lostinidlewonder]

From my experience I have found if you insist student to paying term sessions you may actually in the end lose students who would otherwise stay with you if you allowed them to miss a lesson now and then. The question you have to ask yourself is: If you could get a total of 100 scattered lessons over a period of time out one student is that better than, 30 lessons paid in a row then they leave because they wanted more flexible times?

I have taught one student for over 5 years and I see her probably 2-3 times a month. That is a lot of lessons in total so far. It is worth it to keep students and not insist a strict time schedule. Then again I guess it depends on the demand there is for your teaching skills.

[nsvppp]

[From my experience I have found if you insist student to paying term sessions you may actually in the end lose students who would otherwise stay with you if you allowed them to miss a lesson now and then. The question you have to ask yourself is: If you could get a total of 100 scattered lessons over a period of time out one student is that better than, 30 lessons paid in a row then they leave because they wanted more flexible times.

You might introduce as an additional option, apart from lessons that continue for the whole year or semester, the 20 and 10 "lesson-cards". Students should pay for the full card in advance. Of course per lesson the 10 lesson card is more expensive than the 20 lesson card. And the 20 lesson card is obviously more expensive per lesson compared to lessons during the whole season.

[gaer]

Some questions:

How many students do you have?

How many days a week do you teach?

Where do you teach? At home?

Here is my reason for asking. I teach 5 days a week. I teach in a music store where I've been for over 20 years. I chose to work in such an environment rather than at home because of the privacy it gives when I am not at work.

Teaching is how I pay my bills. It's a business. If a student does not show up one day, very often I can reschedule to another time that is open on another day when my time is free. There are almost always holes here and there. In other words, I can often reschedule with no real inconvenience.

I love to teach, or I would have found a business that pays more. It's hard enough making money teaching piano. When people cheat us out of money that they have agreed to pay, it is a very serious thing.

In almost all cases, those people who insist on paying weekly skip lessons and either don't pay for them or fight about it. It's a shame that some of the nicest young students I have are the sons and daughters of "creeps", but that's the way the world works. Almost all the difficulties I have are with people who do not want to pay in advance. If such people cause me major problems, I refuse to continue dealing with them. I tell them, in just these words, "You need to find another teacher. I need to fill this teaching slot with a student that I will get paid to teach."

Adults are the most irresponsible students, in general. They may not mean to be, but they have busy lives, and when they say, "This is something I really want to do, I'm going to stick to it," the tune usually changes in a month or two. Often in less time.

I would recommend this: set your rates, then ask to be paid, in advance each month. (Some teachers are able to set up rates for longer periods. This has not worked for me.)

Make it clear that missed lessons will not be made up unless you are notified in advance. "In advance" can be by a cut-off time in the morning of the lesson, a day before, a week before. You have to decide. If you make the rules too severe, you may lose some good students AND money. If you are too kind, you will lose money.

For those who insist on paying weekly, if you choose to allow it (and it is very difficult not to do so in some cases), charge more. Make the increase stiff enough so that people will pay just as much for three out of four lesson per month. That way you can "eat" the losses. Increase your rates by 33% when paid by the week. You still want to insist that missed lessons be paid for, but you usually won't get the money from the people who pay weekly.

If you find it difficult to confront people verbally, put your policy in writing, have new students sign indicating that they have read it, then keep a copy.

As for make-ups, my official policy is that if I am not notified a day in advance, no make-up, and this is for those who pay in advance, by the month. However, because some of these people have been with me a long time, I am very liberal about rescheduling students who are cooperative. I do, however, always say, "I just want you to remember that you did not tell me in time, but I'm rescheduling because you are nice people and show respect."

It's HARD to collect money. I think few of us who are dedicated teachers want anything to do with "bill-collecting", but it has to be done. You have to learn to be appear to be reasonable, kind, sympathetic and helpful, but you have to make yourself hard as a rock inside when dealing with people who would "stiff" you in a heartbeat if they got the chance.

Please let me know if any of these suggestions help.

This is all from my personal experience.

Gaer

[jeremyjchilds]

Some questions:

How many students do you have?

How many days a week do you teach?

Where do you teach? At home?

Here is my reason for asking. I teach 5 days a week. I teach in a music store where I've been for over 20 years. I chose to work in such an environment rather than at home because of the privacy it gives when I am not at work.

Teaching is how I pay my bills. It's a business. If a student does not show up one day, very often I can reschedule to another time that is open on another day when my time is free. There are almost always holes here and there. In other words, I can often reschedule with no real inconvenience.

I love to teach, or I would have found a business that pays more. It's hard enough making money teaching piano. When people cheat us out of money that they have agreed to pay, it is a very serious thing.

In almost all cases, those people who insist on paying weekly skip lessons and either don't pay for them or fight about it. It's a shame that some of the nicest young students I have are the sons and daughters of "creeps", but that's the way the world works. Almost all the difficulties I have are with people who do not want to pay in advance. If such people cause me major problems, I refuse to continue dealing with them. I tell them, in just these words, "You need to find another teacher. I need to fill this teaching slot with a student that I will get paid to teach."

Adults are the most irresponsible students, in general. They may not mean to be, but they have busy lives, and when they say, "This is something I really want to do, I'm going to stick to it," the tune usually changes in a month or two. Often in less time.

I would recommend this: set your rates, then ask to be paid, in advance each month. (Some teachers are able to set up rates for longer periods. This has not worked for me.)

Make it clear that missed lessons will not be made up unless you are notified in advance. "In advance" can be by a cut-off time in the morning of the lesson, a day before, a week before. You have to decide. If you make the rules too severe, you may lose some good students AND money. If you are too kind, you will lose money.

For those who insist on paying weekly, if you choose to allow it (and it is very difficult not to do so in some cases), charge more. Make the increase stiff enough so that people will pay just as much for three out of four lesson per month. That way you can "eat" the losses. Increase your rates by 33% when paid by the week. You still want to insist that missed lessons be paid for, but you usually won't get the money from the people who pay weekly.

If you find it difficult to confront people verbally, put your policy in writing, have new students sign indicating that they have read it, then keep a copy.

As for make-ups, my official policy is that if I am not notified a day in advance, no make-up, and this is for those who pay in advance, by the month. However, because some of these people have been with me a long time, I am very liberal about rescheduling students who are cooperative. I do, however, always say, "I just want you to remember that you did not tell me in time, but I'm rescheduling because you are nice people and show respect."

It's HARD to collect money. I think few of us who are dedicated teachers want anything to do with "bill-collecting", but it has to be done. You have to learn to be appear to be reasonable, kind, sympathetic and helpful, but you have to make yourself hard as a rock inside when dealing with people who would "stiff" you in a heartbeat if they got the chance.

Please let me know if any of these suggestions help.

This is all from my personal experience.

Gaer

Very helpful...

What have you found to work the best for summer lessons?

[gaer]

What have you found to work the best for summer lessons?

Save money during the rest of the year.

Summers are always a nightmare. Some students go to other parts of the US or even to other countries during vacation, and there are always the parents who make the maddening decision to "give their kids a rest".

I refuse to hold a spot for anyone who goes off my schedule for more than two weeks though. In some cases, this makes no difference, in others it does. Since the majority of people tend to want the same "prime times", if they don't like the idea of losing the exact time they want on the day they prefer, it may push them to make up a couple lessons. For instance, you can say:

"If you want to hold this spot, I'll be glad to mark two excused absenses, and we will make them up. Then you can pay for the month and hold your spot."

It's really tough to hold the line. I hate everything to do with collecting money, but I've learned the hard way that I have to protect myself. It's hard though.

Gaer

[BoliverAllmon]

kidnapping and ransom

Very helpful...

What have you found to work the best for summer lessons?

[allthumbs]

Greetings

When my daughters started taking lessons ten years ago, the teacher they had required that fees be paid in advance. Since each month had a different number of lessons depending on the day of the week that the lesson fell on, he provided a sheet that had all his lesson lengths (1/2hr, 3/4hr, 1hr, 1 1/4hrs etc.) and it provided an easy way to calculate in advance how much to make the checks out for the next month. Any missed lesson would have to be made up or the fee was lost.

I have a sample of this excellent form on a Microsoft Word document so you can change it as you like.

I will gladly send it to you if you e-mail me direct. 

Cheers