When I first started this whole piano lessons business, I tried to think ahead as I planned my yearly calendar. I wanted to offer 36 lessons a year, and go for about 10 months–and offer the same vacations, etc, that the public schools do, since half my students are public schooled. I charge $55.00 a month per student, and offer a discount to families. ($45.00 per child.) As stated in the agreement that each customer signed, tuition was due the first week of the month. It was a great deal. Yes, I had regular people who always forgot to pay me at the beginning of the month, but I would send an invoice and get the money quickly. It was usually the same people–and they were quick to get back to me.
Well, it is June. I have lessons through the end of the month, but tomorrow is the 13th and I still have to collect money from 7 students. Usually it is one or two people, but I am getting frustrated. This is my income, people. I have birthdays to pay for this month. I have had more cancellations this month due to vacations. I have had cancellations due to really bad excuses, like, “I forgot,” Even though I reminded everyone that lessons went through the end of June. I have had it with make up lessons–some people have 3 lessons to make up due to various reasons.
If I do this next year, I think my policy will be to pay me by the first of the month, and if you don’t, get charged a fee for every day you are late. And I think I will allow for one make up lesson a month, not 3. If you want to pay me for lessons, then be sure you are here, otherwise, you are wasting my time and being plain selfish. Now I understand different circumstances come up during the year–I’m not talking about those. But someone who forgets 3 times a month to bring their kids is really being inconsiderate of my time. Also, I think I will schedule lessons through the end of May, not June. That way, school will still be in session and I won’t get into vacations, graduation, and award ceremonies, etc.
Argh. It is David’s birthday on Saturday. Father’s Day is on Sunday, Beth’s birthday was on the 8th, and my mom’s was on the 3rd. That is a lot of money to try to pay on my little piano salary. Not that I have to shoulder it all, David’s check covers some of it too. But for his birthday, I’d like at least to try to surprise him. At least we got that government reimbursement check, so we can use some of that. Anyone have any suggestions on running your own business? How would you deal with late payments and late lessons, etc?
I relate to this post. I think that your ideas are VERY needed. Trust me, you won’t regret implementing them, even if you feel like a meanie for a little bit.
It is appalling that some people have so little respect for music teachers. It’s like they don’t look at it as a JOB.
20 years of doing my daycare business, I find that the more definite I am up front the better. I am paid weekly, or bi-weekly if we agree to it from the beginning. My parents pay for any missed days, and I have very little problem. That’s because they don’t want to find another provider! 🙂 If I were you I would collect for the month and if they miss a lesson, they just miss it…..no make-up lessons. If they don’t sign a contract at the beginning of the year, it might be good to require one so they take it seriously. If they refuse to sign a contract they probably don’t intend to take it seriously enough. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you! As for the gifting, I know how you feel. Those years I produced no income, but worked hard as a homemaker were tough. You are making David a really nice gift….he just has to wait a couple months to get it! It can’t get much better than that. 🙂 Put a big bow on your belly and sing Happy Birthday!
I had put a contract together at the beginning of the year, that all parents had to sign. I feel like I have been very pro-active in getting parents to pay me. If I don’t get a check the first week, I remind them verbally and send an invoice out that day. (I kind of surprised myself that I was able to do that, but this is how I make money, so I better do something about it.)
I definitely think I will keep the make up lessons to a minimum! what I had been doing is having ONE make up day a month, and they scheduled on that day. But now that I have had 2-3 missed lessons, I find myself trying to accommodate those lessons too, and I just can’t do that.
The good thing is that I have collected from 3 people and have 2 more left to collect from. I made phone calls today!