Trading Services

[keyofc]

Has this worked out for anyone?
I have a person I'm teaching who is an artist.  She asked me if I would teach
her piano in exchange for a painting I liked.  (This was HER idea - although I was happy to do it - because I thought it would be good for both of us)
I agreed - and it hasn't worked out.  She is months behind - always saying she is going
to work on the picture.  And she is leaving town next week.  I guess she painted me a picture that I didn't want to see.

I am thinking about making a decision to never trade services again.  I just
wondered if anyone else had any experience or luck with it.

[m1469]

Well, I can't say that I have officially traded services under some kind of ongoing agreement... but I, as a student, have sometimes done things in exchange for individual lessons.  The most common thing has been turning pages in exchange for a lesson or coaching.

I thought a bit about what kinds of things I would accept from a student (or student's family) as payment in exchange for lessons with me.  At one point, I offered to teach some voice lessons in exchange for some painting lessons... so far nothing has materialized though from either one of us (busy schedules).  Also, I used to teach a somewhat major actor in my area and have thought about doing some kind of exchange with him... piano lessons in exchange for acting lessons.  There are other things that I feel I could use help with around here... sometimes I feel like I need an assistant for my business... hee hee.  But, anyway, the point is that these are all things I really feel would be of interest to me in the first place, and they are things that would be an ongoing exchange.  So, if what I was needing in return for teaching wasn't happening, I would not keep teaching.

Your situation sounds a little frustrating.  I will admit that I have often wanted to be "nice" about things and have had a difficult time in the past getting straight forward with students, but in your case, I would certainly consider letting your student know that this is not okay what is happening.  That you need payment of some sort or else your lessons with her will need to stop.

Now, as far as "never trading again"... that is obviously a personal decision.  But, remember, this is an individual and all people are different.  Perhaps another option rather than deciding that you will never trade again, would be to decide that *if* you do ever trade again, the agreement is very plain and clear.  That you are quite a bit more strict, and if it is not happening as agreed upon, you know within yourself that you won't let it continue happening to the point of frustration for yourself.

So, in summation  :

1.  Have it be something you are independently interested in the first place (not just their idea, but something you have been looking for having a way to have be part of your life).

2.  Make sure the agreement is clear, and if not going as agreed upon, terminate the lessons before it gets out of control.

Hope that helps


m1469

[Bob]

I've never done that.

The first thing that popped into mind was to keep them with your same policies -- what happens if they miss a lesson?  I would keep it set in terms of money still.  Just make the amount for each lesson equal on each side.  Keep your policies the same -- maybe even the same policies on each side.  That way if one person is ahead on giving lessons they will get paid for those extra lessons.

I would work out as much as possible in advance and have everything agreed on.

If that fails, just pay each other for lessons and keep it simple.  Different lessons, different policies....  Just pay as individual students and forget messing around with trading lessons.

[keyofc]

m1469,
I agree with your summation. - It was something I had wanted for a long time, but she would never give me a price, so I gave up asking.
So when she had the idea, I was really happy about it.  I guess I stressed it was her idea, because I had never tried to obtain the picture except by money in the past.
I think I was clear with the agreement.  I But I was too patient and it got out of control.

Bob,
I think money for money is the best way too - but when someone is short on money and they posess something valuable to give in exchange - it seems like a good idea.
If it worked out, at least it would.

thanks for your comments - it is a frustrating situation.  For her goodbye present, I have done one of her songs for her in sheet music, all the while thinking she was going to come up with the picture.
Well, what are you going to do?
I guess I will just be smarter next time.

[clariniano]

I would trade piano lessons for someone to clean my home once or twice a week. The student can have the lesson while the house is being cleaned. (lessons are taught at the church next door to my home)

Meri

[keyofc]

What do you mean, Meri? I have cut down on my coffee, but I still am trying to figure out how the student is going to be two places at the same time.
How can they have their lesson while they are cleaning the house  unless, of course, hehe, you are giving them ear training exercises.....

[stevehopwood]

For a few years, I taught the children of a small garage owner in return for him fixing my rather old car.

No idea who came out ahead, but at least we did not have to worry about money.

Steve 

[clariniano]

The parent cleans the house while the students are having their lessons at the church next door to my home.

Meri

[keyofc]

Of course, Meri!
maybe I should not cut down on my coffee...

[penguinlover]

I think that trading is going to become more common as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and the middle class get ignored!  I used to clean my piano teacher's apartment in exchange for lessons.  It worked out great, and provided me an opportunity that I couldn't have had otherwise.

[ada]

I live with a lawyer and he's traded work for a beautiful Aboriginal painting, because the client didn't have any money.

But I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable teaching a child while the parent (and I bet we're talking about the mother here) was on her hands and knees cleaning my house. I think that's a bit off.

When it comes down to it I think giving lessons for money is probably the least complicated method.

[andric_s]

I like the idea of it.  Especially if someone really didn't have the money.  I don't know if it works, though.

When I was starting my practice, I took half the lesson price from one student in store credit at her new-agey jewelry/crystal shop.  I thought I'd get a gift for my girlfriend.  Months went by, and I built up a good deal of credit.  When I finally went to the store, I found that there was nothing that appealed to me.  Or to my girlfriend.  Or even to my sister.  The credit went unspent, and eventually the store closed.

It wasn't a huge loss, because at the time I didn't have many students.  Now I have almost as many students as I can handle, and I don't think I'd do trade unless the goods/service was something I would consider buying anyway, unless they were friends, or impoverished.

So, I wouldn't rule it out, but If I were going to trade lessons for a painting, It would be for a painting that was already finished

[cora]

Unfortunately, Meri's deal actually isn't likely a good one. You can get a good cleaning lady for $18.00/hr, and if you're charging say $36.00/hr, you've just lost $18.00.

And there's the problem. The mother of Meri's student wouldn't feel very happy cleaning for two or more hours in exchange for your one hour of teaching. Cleaning is hard work though, I grant you that.

To the original poster, the thing to do is stop in at her painting studio some time, say you were just in the area, and wanted to see if you could help her decide what to paint or answer any questions she might have. I think this type of person likes the personal touch and needs people around in order to feel motivated or in the mood to paint. Many artists need this kind of attention and motivation.

[keyofc]

We set a specific value on the painting - and anything she owed after that - she paid me in money

About the housecleaning,
I think if you are going to trade services with someone - and you value their services, you need to trade services evenly though.
I think it would cause hard feelings for one to work one hour and the other two.