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Glad you got it sorted (provisionally!)

I’ve had that issue in the past too. I find the issue is, for the children that are learning, music is a hobby. It’s something they do in their spare time. It’s seen as ok to miss a night of a hobby. They don’t see the implication on it being someones job/income.

It’s not seen as a big issue to cancel something that’s a hobby. I find most people are totally understanding of this being our jobs and our livelihood depending on them showing up as scheduled. But you do occasionally get someone that comes along to throw a challenge in the mix.

It almost goes back to the age old idea that what we do isn’t actually a job! haha.

“But it’s not really working is it, you’re just making music”

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But… you could always call their bluff and tell them you’ll be speaking to the Small Claims Court… perhaps that’ll light a fire under them:)

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Beckie Oldham I’ve had to deal with something similar a few times in the past.

I had someone who was ignoring the fact they didn’t show for some lessons, for me the threat of suspending lessons for them did the trick (It was 2 weeks worth of lessons they were a no-show for) – you’re right in what you’re doing. If the threat of suspension doesn’t shake them up then unfortunately I think it might be a lost cause. Is it a few lessons worth? It’s always hard to write off earnings. As you said, its not an SCC issue because its a low amount. You’d also have to consider if your time is valuable enough to chase it, or if you can just take it on the chin and move on.

In the past I’ve also had someone attend a lesson saying he didn’t have any cash on him and that he’d pop to the cash point at the end of my road and drop it back in. This wasn’t an issue as I tend to trust students and in the past people have done this and honoured in. This particular guy didn’t return. I found it odd because it was perhaps his 7/8th lesson but I dismissed it as he’d just forgot because we discussed it at the start of the lesson. So I texted him, he asked if he could bank transfer me the funds so I agreed and he said he would bank transfer me that lesson and the following lessons worth. Week after rolls around and I’ve got him booked in and he doesn’t show…. I then ended up 2 lessons out of pocket. He never returned any texts or calls.

Since that, I’ve learnt my lesson. All lessons are payable upfront via Paypal invoices now. You have to pay Paypal a small commission (3p per £1 I believe), but for me the piece of mind that its paid is so much better than having to chase cash transactions. Also my admin is reduced because the money goes straight to my bank!

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I used to take cash, but recently I’ve moved to online.

I invoice students for lessons and take payment ahead of the lessons. I use Paypal (It does charge a fee but it’s really not much – works out about 80p off £20). Having students pay ahead of the lessons means students commit to the timeslot. For me, it’s been amazing. Last minute cancellations are a thing of the past. It’s easier to enforce a cancellation policy (You can have T&Cs attached to the invoice – Mine say that any cancellations within 24 hours of the start time are payable in full). Once people pay to secure the slot, they are much less likely to decide “Oh, it’s sunny. I won’t bother today”.

I’ve actually had most of my students tell me it’s made things easier for them too. A lot were telling me they only withdrew cash to pay me.

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Matthew Rusk I’m having one of those “calendar all over the place” weeks hahaha

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Matthew Rusk I can do anything after about 8pm Thursday (I seem to be teaching late Thursday). Saturday I can do anytime (I think) and Sunday anything before 5ish is good with me. I could also do Friday in the day time (any time)

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Owen Evans that makes sense. I can see how it would appeal to students on your current books. I think most of my students would prefer to retain the face to face side of teaching as they’re all local to me. I was curious how people branch out to reach new Skype students online (I.e. attracting students in other countries or other parts of the UK).

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Matthew Rusk Sounds great, let me know when you’re thinking and we’ll sort out a date/time:) I saw you went to visit UG. Sounds like an exciting development

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Hi Andrew,

I haven’t officially rolled it out yet. I made this post in the hope of speaking to a few people who had done this. It’s something I want to roll out soon.

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It’s always interesting to see other tutors projects (I really need to get into the habit of checking this forum more often!)

I play in a pretty in-demand covers band in South Wales, we’re called Young Americans (www.facebook.com/youngamericansband). We’re made up of touring musicians, we’ve all been around the block many times and done plenty of cool stuff and we just get together and play some covers for fun, extra cash and just because we love playing. Our singer and drummer are currently making some waves on the UK rock circuit with their originals band Buffalo Summer.

I’ve been in a bunch of bands myself over the years all of varying degrees of success and I’m currently working on some new originals under my own name that I’m hoping to push out this year at some point. I’ll be sure to come back and share some links:)

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I’m in a position where I’m juggling my teaching with a regular full time office job. I finish at 4pm everyday which leaves my evenings/weekends open for tuition.

Unfortunately, it’s a victim of circumstance. I have to hold down a full time job for the exact reason that Phil said. People think of it as a hobby. I would love to take it full time, but I find that (Perhaps its just my area), but people here do not value the work of the tutor. People regularly cancel lessons last minute, or decide after 2/3 lessons to just stop coming. I’m working on planning a good cancellation policy, but in my area no other tutors have any strict policies which makes it hard for me to also enforce that (Nightmare right?!)