[Guest Teacher]

Hi guys

Another thing I have run into with cancellations that I just want to check out.

A lady who has a lesson with me tonight cancelled this morning because she has the flu.

I have a policy of if you cancel less than 48 hours in advance then I still charge for the lesson, which I see is pretty standard.

However, she is kicking up a fuss because it is the flu and out of her control, which I understand, but i’ve always been in the view that it is not in my control either but I’m committed so turn down other lessons and things that people ask me to do.

I have had this issue before and almost even lost a student because of it.

So I just want to know if you guys charge for cancellations even if it is because of illness or if I am being unfair?

Thanks,

[Guest Teacher]

Great advices and ideas here guys.The matter of cancellation is always a difficult one and every student seems to have their own ideas but 48 cancellation I find is a must and always give me a good result Thank you all.:)

[Guest Teacher]

I know this is a hot topic. I am thinking of implementing a ONE WEEK cancellation policy. This is about valuing my self worth. Realistically slots that have been cancelled can never normally be filled even 72 hours in advance. Hotels have a one week cancellation policy and so do business coaches. This is our livelihood and our clients must respect that. Also the one week cancellation policy encourages commitment. I am puturbed by flakey clients that put work or other things before their commitment our agreement. If they have to cancel, fine but they have to pay. Since most of us work from home clients think that we can just get on with something else or that it won’t matter because we don’t have any overheads… well the room that we are working in is an overhead. If I didn’t work from home, I’d be living in a 1 bed flat, not a two bed flat.

Up until now I’ve been flexible with my clients, but with the cost of living rising and the fact that there is so much competition for singing teachers in Brighton, I feel I need to up my game, value myself and get serious with them. The one week cancellation policy is standard practice throughout the hotel industry, I think something needs to be done within the music teaching profession to make the one week cancellation policy standard practice too. Musicians are generally too nice. Let’s get serious. Matthew can you help?

[Guest Teacher]

I would really appreciate some feedback from the MGR gang on my recently updated Terms and Conditions. http://lewisleemingmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Terms-and-Conditions-Lewis-Leeming-Music.pdf

The general template is from the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ private tuition agreement document, and thus it looks very formal and perhaps even somewhat imposing/scary to new clients. Having had a couple of recently referred students discontinue lessons after the initial consult (due to not being able to pay 4 weeks ahead, or not willing to commit to a no cancellation policy) I am contemplating adding some clauses to soften it up a bit, or perhaps just simplify it altogether to make it more readable and friendly.

I would appreciate the input of those of you more experienced in this aspect of it. I know Matt has some great suggestions, which would be nice to hear in this thread…

Just some background…

When I was teaching in Kent my rules were very bendy (I didn’t have any T&Cs). I accepted payment by the lesson, on the day, usually after the lesson had taken place, and usually in cash. I had no cancellation policy whatsoever but instead would wing it and negotiate/compromise on any cancellations or re-arrangements. This ensured a great deal of flexibility for my students/parents, but it also meant that they could cancel lessons at short notice and I had no recourse for this contingency.

Whilst a handful of the parents were very disciplined (many times offering to pay for lessons they cancelled) there were also many who were not. It got worse over time to the point where lack of pupil’s attendance was so rife that it was not only adversely affecting their progress but also pushing my finances down to the very bottom line.

So, when I moved to York, I saw it as an opportunity to start afresh with some ground rules that would encourage a healthy attitude and commitment from my students and make my business viable. Which is why I came up with this!

[Guest Teacher]

More information on this topic can be found here – https://musicteacher.kinsta.cloud/community/groups/music-teachers/forum/topic/tone-deaf/