Music Teacher Eliza Fyfe
Music Teacher
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Well said everyone. I feel it’s a very British trait to not be upfront about the truth of wanting to stop, or are extremely apologetic when they do! But I completely understand if it’s the money, the lack of time to practice, or that maybe they’ve just had a sufficient amount of lessons to get where they wanted to… I don’t take offence in the way they think I do when they stop! I’m not expecting them to have lessons forever and am very grateful to those who have stuck with it for years! I love that I have about half who are solid and regular and the other half are changeable; it keeps things interesting and it’s good to be meeting new people all the time. It’s also nice when people stop and then come back which has happened a few times.
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No, well said. I don’t tolerate any bad behaviour but that’s an interesting, positive angle to take! I do welcome the break sometimes and also agree that I’m glad to not have to work with people that don’t show up!
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Apart from the first cash-in-hand lesson, I don’t accept anything less than 2 or 4 lessons paid for in advance, which covers a full month of weekly/fortnightly lessons. This shows commitment for at least a month of rent!!
Still doesn’t eliminate the risk of people cancelling all lessons forever, 48 hours’ before their next scheduled lesson, which they have a right to do. I don’t mind this though, as this still gives me enough time to rebook the slot (hence 48 hour rule) and then for the regular slot renewal, I just take someone off the waiting list, which can be quite quick too.
Ts&Cs are covered upon booking either face to face or by email. They are included in more detail on my invoice which they get after their first lesson, ready to start paying advance blocks of lessons.
I like the idea of 2 weeks notice for stopping lessons – I might try this. But to be honest, having monthly lessons paid for upfront sort of eliminates this anyway, as like you say, people know the system is monthly, so can tell me ahead of time.
This also brings me to the issue I keep hearing about – first lesson cancellations. What Matthew calls “bad debt”!
One solution might be to keep a “non teaching hours” slot free each week for people to piss you about in, so that you care a bit less.
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Wow, that was all pretty perfect advice! Thanks!
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Me too!
