Thread: Private Lesson Schedule Issues

Just wondering what other people do..

If the student doesn't show up when scheduled for a private lesson, do you reschedule/skip that week, or do you take it out of the amount they paid (they usually pay me for 5 to 8 private lessons at one time)?

I've had some students who skipped more than one scheduled meeting (which of course I've kept open for their lesson). I don't know if I should be taking the per class amount out for that missed lesson (especially if they are a no-show) or not. They seem to expect me to just add more weeks.

I've gotten frustrated lately with more than one person doing this habitually, which interferes with my schedule to a great degree.

Doctors, dentists, and other professionals often charge when you don't give 24 hours notice and actually inform them of your cancellation. I hate paying that.. but understand their policy makes sense.

What do you do??? What is your cancellation policy? Is it different for private lessons than for group classes?

Of course for emergencies we refund or extend the session if its a private lesson?? But what about the person who has LOTS of "emergencies" and an abundance of no-shows which keeps "their" time slot open every week, and can extend a 5-week tuition payment over the span of months!?

,f::
Jillanna

I think that if they don't notify you with time you should take the amount that they paid because youre losing time, gas & the oportunity of teach other persons.

I think it is fair to charge for a no-show, but I would give them your policy or policy change on that right up front/in advance, in writing if possible.

Hi Jillanna,
I had a fabulous time last weekend!
Your student is being totally disrespectful of your time even though she may not realize it. I think you should email a class policy to everyone (so you are not picking on one person) informing them of your plans. I would request 24 hours notice for a cancelled private class. You could be using your time to teach another student a private class (or whatever)!
Maybe you'll get some good advice from other instructors.
Alexandria

Originally Posted by khalima

I think it is fair to charge for a no-show, but I would give them your policy or policy change on that right up front/in advance, in writing if possible.

I absolutely agree. When someone signs up for private lessons with me, they get a copy of my Refund/Absence Policies first thing. This is my policy on missed/late classes:

Missed/Late Classes

Because significant time is spent preparing for your lesson, you will be charged in full for the entire hour, unless you give 24 hours notice that you will be unable to attend class.

Due to Galatea’s busy schedule, make-up classes are usually not possible. If you have given at least 24 hours notice that you will be absent, your class fee for that hour will be credited forward to the next lesson.

If you are going to be late for class due to unforeseen circumstances, please notify us by calling (***) ***-**** as soon as possible. Due to the scheduling of multiple classes, it is often not possible to run class past your scheduled ending time, so your class time will be shortened by the number of minutes tardy.

If you are more than 15 minutes late for class, and have not called the number above, the class will be cancelled with no refund or credit given.

Galatea Middle Eastern Dance retains the right to terminate the remaining classes, without refund, if there are more than 3 absences or late arrivals per 6-week session.

It's pretty strict, but I had to do it after being taken advantage of many times by private students.

I'm not a teacher, but I am a student who sometimes does private lessons. I would consider it totally fair if a teacher charged me for absences without notice given in advance.

They paid for a time slot. Whether they are there or not that time was reserved for them so they definitely should expect to pay for it. I agree that sending everyone that studies with you the info stating a 24 hour notice for cancellations will be beneficial, fair and clarify details for everyone. Plus you set a precedence and the policy has to be firm. If you do not enforce it then there is no policy. Your time has value - but only if you insist that others recognize that fact.

definitely let them know in writing. maybe having them sign something also. You have to protect yourself.

Originally Posted by txchic

They paid for a time slot. Whether they are there or not that time was reserved for them so they definitely should expect to pay for it. I agree that sending everyone that studies with you the info stating a 24 hour notice for cancellations will be beneficial, fair and clarify details for everyone. Plus you set a precedence and the policy has to be firm. If you do not enforce it then there is no policy. Your time has value - but only if you insist that others recognize that fact.

This is the way I look at it. They purchased that time slot for which I most likely had to purchase studio time as well. For private classes, I require a minimum of 24 hour notice to reschedule or cancel. I do not offer refunds for private classes unless there are serious extenuating circumstances. I agree with emailing the class policies to everyone.

(and I had an awesome time at the workshops and show last week as well!!)

Yes, let them know ahead of time that they will be charged if they don't show up. They should give you plenty of notice if they can't make it, which the time period is up to you.
That is extremely rude if they scheduled a private with you.

I agree with everyone else... your time is valuable and they need to realize that you are going to compensate yourself for the opportunity cost in that lost time if they don't cancel with at least 24 hour notice.

mine is simple
" If you cancel a private session less than 48 hours, you are obligated to pay half of the cost of the session. If you cancel less than 24 hours, you must pay the full session cost. Pre-payment or a down-payment is required for all sessions unless special arrangements have been made."

I originally did it this way because the studio I would rent needed to be paid 48 hours before the day needed. This protected me. Since I have moved to a new studio location and things are not as stringent, I do not have to do the 48 hour thing but decided to keep it. At least I would see some payment for my work.

Though - I am a softy and would probably give a student 1 free pass. After that - you pay.

I look at it as a time slot they paid for, too. You've scheduled the rest of your life around it, other privates, perhaps gigs, maybe even turned down the chance to do something fun. You showed up, fully prepared to teach -- you kept your end of the bargain.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I absolutely agree. When someone signs up for private lessons with me, they get a copy of my Refund/Absence Policies first thing. This is my policy on missed/late classes:

Missed/Late Classes

Because significant time is spent preparing for your lesson, you will be charged in full for the entire hour, unless you give 24 hours notice that you will be unable to attend class.

Due to Galatea’s busy schedule, make-up classes are usually not possible. If you have given at least 24 hours notice that you will be absent, your class fee for that hour will be credited forward to the next lesson.

If you are going to be late for class due to unforeseen circumstances, please notify us by calling (***) ***-**** as soon as possible. Due to the scheduling of multiple classes, it is often not possible to run class past your scheduled ending time, so your class time will be shortened by the number of minutes tardy.

If you are more than 15 minutes late for class, and have not called the number above, the class will be cancelled with no refund or credit given.

Galatea Middle Eastern Dance retains the right to terminate the remaining classes, without refund, if there are more than 3 absences or late arrivals per 6-week session.

It's pretty strict, but I had to do it after being taken advantage of many times by private students.

I agree with Laura as a person taking private lessons. You're in or you're out.

You need to have firm guidelines, and you need to put out the idea that your time as a teacher and a person is valuable. Yes, I charge for the time, not the attendance. If there's something major going on, I MAY be willing to reschedule one time, but it depends on the situation.

Amira