Feeling a bit deflated.

[Fluffernutter]

Not sure how hard this is to explain? Re read the advice given, they book a lesson, they pay at the same time. Make them unable to book without payment.

I get bookings months in advance, all paid on the day of the booking, it’s not hard.

Making them unable to book without payment is exactly what I need to do to prevent this happening. Thanks.

 

[Fluffernutter]

Two separate issues here.

You're owed money at the moment and you're looking to find a way to get them to pay up and then going forward you need a way to prevent this from happening in the first place.

As @Newchodge mentioned, you have missed the point slightly with everyone's suggestion regarding the second problem.

For argument's sake let's say you got yourself an online booking form where people could choose a date and then pay up front. They'd get an email confirmation saying they have booked successfully. If they don't pay, they won't get that confirmation but nor would you. So even if they STILL turned up, you turn them away as you have been doing or take payment before you get started via a card machine.

Let's say some clients like to ring to book. Use the same booking form but this time you fill it out over the phone to them and you take payment over the phone with your card machine. If they say "I don't have my card on me right now" you politely tell them to ring back once they have.

As for getting payment from clients who already owe you money, if they are regulars, refuse to book more sessions until they settle and if they are not regulars, keep sending them invoices (from a solicitor or something if needs must) until they do.. or cut your losses and move on with the plan above so it never happens again.

You came to the right place for advice so it's on you now to run with what you think would work best. Either way, I do wish you good luck! Sounds like you've done well so far other than these recent pesky customers!

Thanks, I'm going to try an online booking form as that would solve the issue for the trial new students. I'd never actually thought about that before. This really is a good place for advice and I'm pleased I found it as I've still a lot to learn about running a small business. I appreciate all the comments and advice.

 

[DazRave]

@Fluffernutter - Have a look around the other categories of the forum for help and advice about taking payments/setting up booking forms etc too!

Also, once you get setup, report back here and let us all know how you're getting on! We love a good success story.

 

[MBE2017]

Making them unable to book without payment is exactly what I need to do to prevent this happening. Thanks.

Glad you seem to have grasped the idea at last, your first reply suggested the same thing, as did your second and so on.

 

[DavidWH]

I'm having music lessons at the moment.

First lesson my tutor visited my home (convenient for them) since then I got to their home. I pay at the end of each lesson. I wouldn't object if they asked for payment before hand.

I turned up for one lesson, to find they weren't there, they'd forgotten and were gigging ?

Cancellations will, and do happen. This week I got a message on the day of my lesson, saying they'd had a cancellation I could go earlier.

Obviously different for you as you've got overheads in your premises, and depending on the arrangement (no pun intended) you could make it work in favour.

Allow cancellations within x days. If they don't keep payment. (you can always be nice as a gesture of good will) even perhaps offer the student before a cancellation additional time at a reduced rate? If you're on social media, advertise cancellations incase someone wants a quick lesson, or it's more convenient etc.

One thing I find helpful in our business, is generate the appearance of being busy, you may find less likely people cancel or don't show, for fear they won't get back in for a few weeks.

 

[Fluffernutter]

@Fluffernutter - Have a look around the other categories of the forum for help and advice about taking payments/setting up booking forms etc too!

Also, once you get setup, report back here and let us all know how you're getting on! We love a good success story.

I will do, thanks! ?

 

[Fluffernutter]

I'm having music lessons at the moment.

First lesson my tutor visited my home (convenient for them) since then I got to their home. I pay at the end of each lesson. I wouldn't object if they asked for payment before hand.

I turned up for one lesson, to find they weren't there, they'd forgotten and were gigging ?

Cancellations will, and do happen. This week I got a message on the day of my lesson, saying they'd had a cancellation I could go earlier.

Obviously different for you as you've got overheads in your premises, and depending on the arrangement (no pun intended) you could make it work in favour.

Allow cancellations within x days. If they don't keep payment. (you can always be nice as a gesture of good will) even perhaps offer the student before a cancellation additional time at a reduced rate? If you're on social media, advertise cancellations incase someone wants a quick lesson, or it's more convenient etc.

One thing I find helpful in our business, is generate the appearance of being busy, you may find less likely people cancel or don't show, for fear they won't get back in for a few weeks.

Yes I usually mention it to students that I'm really busy so can't always accommodate a time change request for a lesson etc.

What instrument are you learning btw?

 

[Fluffernutter]

Glad you seem to have grasped the idea at last, your first reply suggested the same thing, as did your second and so on.

Yes thanks, I'm pleased I have at last too.

 

[DavidWH]

Yes I usually mention it to students that I'm really busy so can't always accommodate a time change request for a lesson etc.

What instrument are you learning btw?

"Learnt" sax at school, now I have a spare room picked it up again, playing a vintage 1920's conn.

 

[Fluffernutter]

"Learnt" sax at school, now I have a spare room picked it up again, playing a vintage 1920's conn.

Oh nice, that instrument alone will be great inspiration to start playing again.

 

[The Byre]

Thanks, that made me laugh (and made me google Loombogle).

And how far did you get? (Tip - it intersects with Jim Pubes!)

 

[The Byre]

"Learnt" sax at school, now I have a spare room picked it up again, playing a vintage 1920's conn.

The room became free after the wife moved out because of the noise.