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diamond sea Profile
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Registered: 12-2011
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Student Overpays!


I have what might be an unusual situation: I have one student whose father sometimes insists on paying me more than what I ask for. I was charging $30/h for beginners, $40/h for intermediate students. First, he insisted on paying the intermediate rate even though his daughter is a beginner. $30/h is pretty low around here + I didn't have any other beginner students right at the moment so, although I felt a little weird, I thought maybe I'd just move to a $40/h rate for guitar lessons. (I charge more for theory as is.) Now, after the last half-hour lesson, they insisted on paying me $30 for half an hour, on the grounds that the student had rescheduled the lesson twice. While this is true, she gave more than 24h notice both times. I do not charge in that situation. Nor do I expect to have to pay when I cancel a lesson I am taking with over 24h notice.

Obviously, this isn't the worst situation in the world but I do feel a little uncomfortable with it. I set my prices: I don't think students should pay less than them. Nor do I feel that they should pay more. When I do have more than one student, I feel that they should all pay according to the same fee schedule, the one that I set. Also, it can feel condescending in a weird sort of way. If someone appreciates my work, I don't want them to express it by throwing extra money at me. (I'll be upfront: I tip because it's the social norm but I actually feel a little weird about that custom as well.)

It's true that I could use the money and it's entirely possible that this family has enough of it, though I really have no idea. (A lot of oil and mining money around here.) Maybe when they saw my tiny apartment, they felt bad for me, ha? Still, as I say, I feel a little awkward about getting (these small amounts of) extra money this way.

Has anyone experienced this? What would you do in this situation?
4/29/2013, 3:36 pm Link to this post Send Email to diamond sea   Send PM to diamond sea Blog
 
diamond sea Profile
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Re: Student Overpays!


Another reason I feel weird is that something I need to reschedule a lesson. I always give several days' notice. But if they feel that they should pay me for rescheduling a lesson, it makes me feel as if I have some obligation to either turn down a shift of work or compensate somehow. They probably don't intend anything by overpaying but I feel like it sets up some sort of expectation.
4/29/2013, 5:19 pm Link to this post Send Email to diamond sea   Send PM to diamond sea Blog
 
diamond sea Profile
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Re: Student Overpays!


Today, for the first time, they paid $15 for a half hour. I don't know if this was a penalty because I rescheduled the lesson this time, if they're correcting their overpayment from last week, or if they've decided on sticking with the beginner rate after all.
5/13/2013, 12:26 am Link to this post Send Email to diamond sea   Send PM to diamond sea Blog
 
Telstar2001 Profile
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Re: Student Overpays!


I would not accept any over payments from students, it's bad business from the start. stick to the rates set in your agreement

Last edited by Telstar2001, 11/20/2016, 12:21 am
11/20/2016, 12:12 am Link to this post Send Email to Telstar2001   Send PM to Telstar2001 Blog
 


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