Fees Owed From Last Term! Options

[Lone Ranger]

All of the above makes worrying reading - especially those who teach in school where there are particular problems with lackadaisical unsupportive senior management or a preponderance of inconsiderate ( or economically challenged parents). I was considering going into schools-based peripatetic piano teaching when I retire from my day job - sometime within the next 8 years, but now I'm seriously re-thinking it. It's alright saying things like "Don't stand for it!" and "Don't be embarrassed!". Of course it is embarrassing and stressful. Any conflict with other adults invariably IS. The Head of Music in the school in which I teach English advised me to think carefully about such a move; the law is firmly stacked in the parents favour, it seems. At any rate, it doesn't always make it straightforward for the cash-strapped teacher to get his due fees. I think I'll stick to the few private pupils who visit my house whose circumstances and parents I know before I took them on.

I hope it all works out.

LR

[upbeat]

All of the above makes worrying reading - especially those who teach in school where there are particular problems with lackadaisical unsupportive senior management or a preponderance of inconsiderate ( or economically challenged parents). I was considering going into schools-based peripatetic piano teaching when I retire from my day job - sometime within the next 8 years, but now I'm seriously re-thinking it. It's alright saying things like "Don't stand for it!" and "Don't be embarrassed!". Of course it is embarrassing and stressful. Any conflict with other adults invariably IS. The Head of Music in the school in which I teach English advised me to think carefully about such a move; the law is firmly stacked in the parents favour, it seems. At any rate, it doesn't always make it straightforward for the cash-strapped teacher to get his due fees. I think I'll stick to the few private pupils who visit my house whose circumstances and parents I know before I took them on.

I hope it all works out.

LR

It does depend on the school though - part of my instrumental teaching is in an independent school but the school pay me, rather than me having to chase parents. It's much better this way as I don't have to get involved with bad payers at school - sadly I do come across them in my home-based teaching though.

[petrat]

At one private school at which I taught there was a blackboard just inside the entrance where notices etc were posted. When there were late payers the head would post their names there asking for the following accounts to be settled. They would almost always pay on the day that the names appeared on the board. I would ask the school to send an official letter asking for payment by return, and then, if you get no joy send out a further letter mentioning courts and a debt recovery service.

[JulieCSM]

I have a similar situation - I teach piano in a private school and I invoice termly. I started off invoicing half-termly but collecting 6 times a year was a nightmare.

In theory the invoices should be settled within a week but there are always the same few who drag on and on.

I find that sending reminder invoices rarely works - I actually have to telephone them, and speak to them personally, not just leave a message, before they pay up. I just say something practical like "I'm ringing about Johnnie's fees for his piano lessons. This was due some weeks ago and I would appreciate payment as soon as possible."

I'm never apologetic about asking for it, it's MY money, not theirs. Doesn't mean I enjoy it - I HATE having to ask for it, but it's my wages and I'm due it.

Fortunately I don't have any from last year, they all paid up eventually. The school has always said though that if I have any trouble, they will pay me and add my invoice to the parents' school fees, even though I am self-employed. So far it hasn't come to that.

[tonyteech]

This is one reason why I never would teach in schools. With kids it is money up front - no money no teachee

Question - do you want to keep the pupils that owe or could you replace them easily
Never give credit to parents they are not to be trusted

[Robodoc]

No fee, no service (in this case lessons). No embarrassment, no period of grace, no negotiation: No problem.

If you're as busy as you say it is possible you have a waiting list. At any rate, even if you don't have one you could hint that you do: "Slots occupied by pupils whose fees are not paid on time may be reallocated from the waiting list. Pupils thus displaced may rejoin the end of the waiting list if the parents choose."

Don't worry about inflexibility: They owe you money, you are entitled to be inflexible.

Finally, for £600 I would consider the small claims court.

[salrec]

I received a cheque through the post this morning, invoice dated in May. One verbal reminder in June, one postal reminder at the beginning of July.

The cheque came with a note "hope you're having a good summer". It's tempting to add a comment to the receipt along the lines that we'd be having a good summer if we weren't so hungry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Aotearoa]

I charge the whole term fees in advance now. I have sent letters and invoices out for the beginning of the following term and if I don't get payment before or at the first lesson I won't be teaching. Sounds harsh, but is quite simple.

EVERY other extra-curricula activity children, or adults do for that matter, you expect to pay in advance. If you don't turn up to a football, karate lesson, college course, you don't get a refund if you miss a lesson. I am fed up with funding other peoples holidays, grocery shopping etc...

Funny it is usually the most well off that are the worst payers, or they give you a post-dated cheque. I've also mentioned in my terms and conditions that they won't be accepted either. It will be interesting to see what happens this term LOL, but I am standing my ground.