Parents requesting discounted lessons
Found in: Fees Rates & Cost, Special Needs & Learning Differences
Kerry V., Australia
I started to work with a student who has cerebral palsy. Tova is an amazing person and student but does have a lot of challenges, as well as in the class. Because of her many issues, the 30-minute lesson can easily extend longer than that but we are learning to finish in the half hour.
When the family first started, I offered them a discount for one term, as for me music is important and I want everyone to have the opportunity to play when they can. The discount was only for this term. The dad asked, in a begging way, if they can have it further discounted for another half year. I was put back a bit and am concerned that if I continue a cheaper rate, I may start resenting the lessons. I usually do shorter lessons for discounted price but for Tova this isn’t going to work.
What would you suggest I do? They really want to come back next year. I am aware of all the pressures they have, but I am also aware that I need to be paid too. In the past when I’ve offered discounts, I’ve always felt abused by the person, taking further advantage of me, so I guess I’m feeling that it may be the same thing.
Looking forward to your ideas, suggestions, and your points of view.
Joanne C., Australia
I would charge the normal rate and offer an extra bonus like one or two free lessons. That way you are not discounting, but adding value. An extra hour of your time to get the full term fees would be neither here nor there if it was me.
Joanne D., Australia
Would fortnightly lessons work?
Kerry V., Australia
I was thinking that, but dad says she needs consistency and she loves her music so much she pesters him every day for piano lessons. I agree with him in that regard and also, the way she is learning through me, not practice at home, become familiar with the environment, my learning sign language, the order in which we have the lesson, that may be too much for her.
Rebecca G., Colorado
Did you make this agreement for the discount off the first term in writing, and clarify in the same document that their tuition would resume to the full rate at the end of that term? I find that simply having this sort of thing in writing (and requiring a signature from the agreeing party) can make it less likely for people to ask for the discount to continue – it’s clear that it’s a temporary arrangement, and they’re agreeing to that up front.
Also, you could offer to teach the child less frequently (such as every other week) at your full rate. A business coach made me promise to stop offering discounts and scholarships when he found out I wasn’t making enough money to pay my bills, so I basically don’t do that at all any more (outside of a discount to additional enrolling family members).
Terah W., Kansas
I agree that you have to feel like you are coming out ahead, and it’s also important that there is no subtle territory claiming issues going veiled in the personal sorrows of the family and their circumstances; i.e., it may not be conscious thinking on their part, but may be their way of feeling like they’re coming out ahead for a change instead of always having challenges.
I think you should counter-offer or maybe they pay more for the next term with the understanding of reaching normal tuition rates at the end of that. And then get it done in writing as a special contract as was suggested. Nothing says this is business better than someone signing their name to a promise. These can be tough but I think in the long run, if you can keep them and feel good about your positioning in the matter as well as theirs, everybody will win.
Pat M., Canada
I really enjoy working with students with special needs, so I set up a Community Fund at the bank which is non-profit. I do various things to raise money for the fund, and then I use that money to support the families of students with special needs. I ofer the families a discounted rate, but the fund pays me the amount I discounted. It’s a win-win!