Why is there a 24-hour cancellation policy?
Published: Dec 13, 2014 | Category: Scheduling
All private students (or paying parents/guardians of young students) on my teaching roster are expected to understand and abide by my Studio Policies, listed on my website at https://johnpatdouglas.musicteachershelper.com/policy. The first policy listed states, "Lesson cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead of the planned lesson time will be charged in full."
You might think, "Okay, I understand this, but my child woke up sick today. No one knew that this would happen, so why should I be charged?". Or, it could be a work emergency, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. It happens to everyone, myself included.
It's a fair question. First, I would like you to understand that I want you to receive value for the tuition you're paying for the lessons. You've come to me seeking musical education, and it is my high priority to see that you get it.
That said, the reason I, and most private music teachers (example, example, example) charge for lessons cancelled with less than 24-hours notice is that missed lessons represent missed income. Private instruction income is vital to how musicians and music teachers make a living. Less than 24 hours is not an adequate amount of time for a teacher to find another student to take up that unexpectedly open time-slot, therefore there is not a reasonable opportunity to replace the income from that lesson. Unexpected missed income makes the profession of private music instruction economically unviable, so there must be provisions in place to stabilize our income.
Please understand that you are paying me to reserve my time for your lesson, as well as for my advice, coaching, and expertise.
A little farther down on my Policy page, it says "In the event of illness or other unforeseen emergency, I will try either to find an alternate time slot during that week to accommodate you, or else create and deliver an instructional video pertaining to your lesson plan". It also says, "Alternate lesson time slots are subject to availability".
If there is any way that we can work out an alternate time (after the illness has passed) it would be my strong preference to do so, both for the reason stated above, and to avoid interrupting the regularity that is critical to the success of your lessons. When you contact me about a missed lesson, please ask about make-up times. During certain months, I may also post some available times on my lesson calendar.
If you have any questions about this, or any of my policies, please contact me directly.
Thanks,
John
You might think, "Okay, I understand this, but my child woke up sick today. No one knew that this would happen, so why should I be charged?". Or, it could be a work emergency, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. It happens to everyone, myself included.
It's a fair question. First, I would like you to understand that I want you to receive value for the tuition you're paying for the lessons. You've come to me seeking musical education, and it is my high priority to see that you get it.
That said, the reason I, and most private music teachers (example, example, example) charge for lessons cancelled with less than 24-hours notice is that missed lessons represent missed income. Private instruction income is vital to how musicians and music teachers make a living. Less than 24 hours is not an adequate amount of time for a teacher to find another student to take up that unexpectedly open time-slot, therefore there is not a reasonable opportunity to replace the income from that lesson. Unexpected missed income makes the profession of private music instruction economically unviable, so there must be provisions in place to stabilize our income.
Please understand that you are paying me to reserve my time for your lesson, as well as for my advice, coaching, and expertise.
A little farther down on my Policy page, it says "In the event of illness or other unforeseen emergency, I will try either to find an alternate time slot during that week to accommodate you, or else create and deliver an instructional video pertaining to your lesson plan". It also says, "Alternate lesson time slots are subject to availability".
If there is any way that we can work out an alternate time (after the illness has passed) it would be my strong preference to do so, both for the reason stated above, and to avoid interrupting the regularity that is critical to the success of your lessons. When you contact me about a missed lesson, please ask about make-up times. During certain months, I may also post some available times on my lesson calendar.
If you have any questions about this, or any of my policies, please contact me directly.
Thanks,
John