Morality versus technicality

[alwaystheangel]

So I have these two sisters that I taught, they were absolutely awful students, would come in at the wrong lesson times and sit very noisily waiting for their lesson, distracting my other students, etc.. and they also had a bad habit of not showing up for lessons at all without calling me to let me know, and my policy is if you don't tell me, no make up lesson and I keep the money, which I told them at the beginning of the year.  So it has now been five weeks since they came and they have not called me or anything (the family is psychotic) and Ive cashed in my march cheques, but I have their April and May cheques still.

So, should I cash the money because they never told me they were canceling their lessons? Or should I return the money face to face, or should I leave it in their mailbox with a note saying like: due to the lack of attendance, I have terminated their lessons for the remainder of the year." sort of thing..



ACK!!!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

[ramseytheii]

Cash the cheques, but don't spend the money, and if they ask it back, give it back and "fire" them.  If they don't, keep it for 1 full month then it is yours.

Walter Ramsey

[pianistimo]

unfortunately, this is the problem with a service-oriented business.  even though it is part of your policy - if taken to court (in usa) i believe that they would be only liable for services rendered by you.  consider them deadbeats and return the last two checks.  write a letter and tell them that for financial reasons - you needed to cash the march check.  and, that if they want to make those last lessons up - you will arrange a one-time make up for ONLY those lessons.  you can explain that since they left - you ahve taken on other students (i hope for your sake - you have!) and they will need to wait again for an opening.

perhaps they were challenging your policy and it's legal ramifications?  or, perhaps they had some sort of family emergency and truly could not contact you.  or, more believably - the parents are like the children and couldn't care less.  not really knowing the situation - i'd stay on the guarded side and tell them that because you run a business - you rely on the money.  it is not that you are legally challenging people for every missed lesson.  then, they will understand your policy better.  some people feel threatened by anything.  you can tell them that making up lessons is hard for you to do because you also have classes or work and cannot spend hours making up lessons.  i would think a normal adult would understand this (if not the students).

 

[Bob]

Yes, cash the checks.  It's your policy.  You've kept their lesson slot open.

You might also give up on them and open the lesson slot.  Call them and tell them you want a response or they're done -- or at least that you're informinig them you can't hold their spot after they skip five weeks.

[a-sharp]

Hmm - that's a good question. If it were a school [say, a typical private schoo] - and tuition was paid, there would be no refunds regardless of whether or not the students showed up. Many teachers charge a flat monthly fee and structure their business this way - I wonder if it would really not hold up - I don't see other 'schools' as "service oriented" businesses - tuition is tuition - and the fees are to reserve the student's space in school - rather than it being a charge for services rendered. It' sjust an interesting topic - I would htink it really matters exactly how it's worded in your policy - and what kind of lawyer you had representing you.

Anyway - that all said - I have to kinda agree with Walter.

[Bob]

If they pay, your stuck holding that time slot, and then they pull this garbage.  Keep it for mental suffering.

[alwaystheangel]

well during one students lesson, I saw one of the girls walking a dog, so I don't think its a family emergency, lol

[a-sharp]

well during one students lesson, I saw one of the girls walking a dog,

That is just weird. I wish I had money to throw away like that ... [or someone to pay for piano lessons for me!] Geesh. 

[hyrst]

I recently lost a student this way.  I did end up getting paid for the lessons they had attended, but they refused to accept that they should pay for the time that had been reserved.  I have the procedure clearly outlined in my policies, but the father denied it was his signature.  I wasn't disappointed to see them go.  I sent a letter reminding them of the way my business woks and why.  They said they would not work with my policy so they cancelled all lessons.  I was glad to see them go - but it has still been miserable to deal with.

I would write the parents a letter letting them know your policy.  Explain that the students have missed X no. lessons and say you will be cashing thec heque for this period (but don't spend the money).  You will quickly get a response - I'm sure.  They will either say fine, keep the money, or ask for it back and end lessons.  If they end lessons, you might make a bit of a loss - short term, but you will have an opening for someone else who might be a better student - tough choice, but a big relief.  I would also give them an ultimatum for when they need to return to lessons or they lose their spot.

Have you tried contacting them when they have missed lessons?  I would never let more than 2 absentees pass without contact.  It just drags things on - so you find yourself in the position you're in now.

I wouldn't cash cheques for April unless they contact you and say they wan to keep the spot.  If they do - that becomes the condition.  If they don't, you send a letter stating you had to find a place for another student.

[alwaystheangel]

no I have not contacted them, it is their responsibility to come to lessons, not my job to act as truant officer. you must understnad how crazy this family is: It took me thress monts to get my post-dated cheques--they wanted to just pay me one lump sum at the end... like HELOO!?!?!?!??!! even though my letter at the beginning clearly stated I wanted post-dated cheques.... nut-sos completely and totally nuts. to be honest, they should have paid me WAY more than what i was charging to teach these little monsters.  I don't know if any of you read my post about the student that reversed everything she was reading?  I told the mother and father and suggested they get her tested for a learning disability and they said: "Isnt that weird?  that's so neat."


ok?  NUTS!!!!!!

[imbetter]

you must cash the checks

[amanfang]

Keep the money, but since it is obviously bothering you, go ahead and call the parents and tell them that you are keeping the money.

[keyofc]

This is very interesting reading the different posts.
I think it's right to keep the money for the first month - because you were expecting them.
What about the next month?  Were you realy expecting them then?

In my opinion - you should give the other 2 months back unless your studio policy says  that failure to give notice  3 months in advance of dropping lessons - will result in being liable for time secured for them.

Although asharp does raise a good point.  Colleges would charge the whole amount - but then they would let you know ahead of time too.

What do you feel in your gut about it?

[Bob]

Either way, they aren't doing you much good.  Even if you get the money. 

They are a bad example for other potential students.

They can spread bad vibes if you end up arguing with them.

[juliax]

I have an overall "No Refunds" policy. 

[keyofc]

Thinking again about how you titled this post - gives me the feeling that you believe
the moral thing to do is not to keep it all
or why wouldn't it say
professional versus technicality? 

I think you'll feel a lot better to get it all behind you. 

You never know how it may affect you in the long run.

They could end up being good referrals for you if you're honest.