Guitar Teachers - do you charge for 'No Shows'?

professorben

mellowsun said:

Many professional teachers charge for a block of 4 lessons up front to avoid this situation.

This is what I used to do, offer a slight discount to pre pay and if they don't show it comes off the balance. 

professorben

Sporky said:

Kebabkid said:

My wife operates a similar thing ^ with singing and piano lessons but like Octatonic said, she gets them to sign an agreement showing her terms and conditions and most people pay for a term/block anyway. It's much easier that way and less hassle.

I offered to pay for blocks in advance, but my cello teacher seemed very anxious about the idea. I'm not sure the money bit is her happy place.

I'm sure enough money will reveal her 'happy place' 

it does with me. 

ChrisCox1994

I have a student's mother who has paid in advance for five lessons, now has decided their child doesn't want to leave the house for lessons (even though they do horse riding and cricket - presumably NOT at their home). 

I haven't refunded yet - mainly because I'm annoyed and have other things going on..

Who is at fault? 

57Deluxe

I charge extra for traveling to lesson

RiftAmps

I kept it simple and was very strict with the rules, everyone played along without complaint. Every student (or parent) signed a contract and I had full address/contact details.

• More than 24 hours notice, no charge.
• Less than 24 hours notice, full lesson fee due and no rebookings until paid (90 days to pay or SCC).
• If I missed a lesson, then no charge.
  

Remember, it's your business so lessons are done on your terms, not theirs.

Only once did I have to take parent to small claims court, but they paid straight up after being served - legal fees were more than the original lesson fee!

missmisstreater

Another video response noone asked for!

57Deluxe

a 6 min + answer when either Yes or No would have done!

The Q was posed to ascertain the numbers that do and any 'softners' on how to work it so the punter doesn't run...

missmisstreater

57Deluxe said:

a 6 min + answer when either Yes or No would have done!

The Q was posed to ascertain the numbers that do and any 'softners' on how to work it so the punter doesn't run...

I'm sorry it wasn't of interest to you. The point of these videos though is to get more people to the forums, I posted this on Faceboom and it got more responses than this thread, and a few shares.

So while it might not have helped you, I hope it's reassured others.

57Deluxe

/\ it was my OP/thread!

missmisstreater

Yes, again, I understand that.

Don't worry, won't make that mistake again

menamestom

I'm my own teacher.  As I never showed up for lessons, I ended up firing myself.  It could be why I don't progress but I was fed up getting let down, sat there waiting to teach guitar when my student would be watching Netflix or jamming on the one string banjo. 

The jokes on him now, he's still shit.

pmbomb

My teacher charges on cancellation of less than 24 hours notice. It was agreed when we started and I find it completely reasonable. It's just good manners really.

I don't doubt he would do his best to be flexible (eg reschedule) if unforeseen circumstances arose but wouldn't whinge if he stuck to the letter.

Modellista

57Deluxe said:

a 6 min + answer when either Yes or No would have done!

The Q was posed to ascertain the numbers that do and any 'softners' on how to work it so the punter doesn't run...

The man goes to the effort of making a video directly addressing the question and you whinge about it cluttering up your precious thread.   Ungrateful much?

57Deluxe

/\   - is being used for external purposes...

missmisstreater

57Deluxe said:

/\   - is being used for external purposes...

Is literally being used to bring my audience over to this forum. You know... forums... those dying corners of the internet.

You don't think if I wanted to make something for completely selfish purposes... I couldn't have just made the video and made no mention of this forum?

You know how you'll get more responses to your question? If people like me actually make an effort to keep people joining this forum. 

What have you done for the community recently? Other than make someone who gives a lot of time want to go elsewhere.

I started these videos because people on this forum had been real nice to and about me, so I decided to make this site the one I championed. 

What was your thread being used for? You own purposes? You need to ask people if they charge for people wasting their time? One might argue that your thread is even more pointless than my video.

Lestratcaster

Yes I do, and last minute cancellations too. My problem is a lot pay lesson-by-lesson so there's nothing to stop them doing a runner and not coming back.

I try to push blocks as much as I can (I offer 5 and 10 lesson bookings) but more than half do it by the lesson so there's a big risk of them missing a week and you losing that money. Thing is I play in a band and sometimes need a spare evening to rehearse or do a gig, so I need a bit of flexibility. Otherwise I'd do a flat fee for 4 lessons (monthly). This eliminates the problem and makes sure you get the same money each month until further notice.

Sometimes if a lesson has been missed and I have an hour free I'll make it a 2 hour lesson the following week, or move the lesson day they didn't show up on, recently someone didn't show on a Weds evening so I rescheduled to a Thursday night.

I've had to use the Musician's Union a few times to chase up missed lessons and had some success, also when students don't give me 4 weeks written notice and haven't paid up, had a couple of nasty encounters there.