Help – what should I do about a student who hasn’t paid and is now ghosting me?

[Veronica Wakeling]

Let it go …There may be a sad reason for non payment.Or they didn’t value your tuition .Personally have had situation where the student was too proud to admit they had fallen on hard times .I make it clear to all my students if they have a problem with financing just say so We can still accommodate until times get better .That’s just me I understand many tutors cannot afford to do it this way .Ohhh Hope this helps . Best regards Veronica

[William Outhwaite]

Hi,

I too have come across this and in the end I had to just write it off and put it down to experience. It has made me rethink how I deal with payments. I now ask for payment up front. Even if it is only one week at a time. The payment is made and then they come for their session.

Up to now everything is working as it should and providing you have sensible conversations with your students, I think that you will find most of them will be agreeable.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Bill

[Eliza Fyfe]

I agree with Bill. I always take payments upfront to avoid this. And a 48 hour cancellation policy, including illness (otherwise in sickness season, I lose a lot of income!) I make sure the terms explain the nature of my business, if people feel like illness cancellation is unfair. This way, you don’t have to constantly validate your income.

In this case sadly, you’ll have to write it off, and take comfort in the new policy 🙂

[Will Moffat]

Hi. For sure, I agree with ensuring payment is secured before any lesson is taught! This creates a respect between teacher and student and alleviates any unwanted anxiety or fear of not getting paid. It also shows that your service is one to be valued and is held to a professional standard. Hope this helps 🙂