What's the proper way to ask for payment?

Question

I tutor one night a week for a 13 year old (math). A few times the woman has forgot to pay me. I just say "oh, am I getting paid" or something along those lines. What should I say?

Answer 1

Try something like, "I think we had a really good tutoring session tonight. I think he's starting to make some real progress! See you next week -- oh, before I go, do you have my check for me? I almost forgot!"

:)

It's not impolite to ask for payment for an agreed-upon service at an agreed-upon rate. Try and keep it casual, but at the same time be firm and say it in a way that shows you expect to be paid as agreed to.

Answer 2

Its a fair question. As long as you aren't rude, like "so ***** when are you paying me," I think you are fine. I think it would depend on your relationship with the family. If you don't know them very well you would want to be more professional like giving them a reminder or an invoice etc.

To prevent the awkwardness in the first place, I suggest that you set a schedule for payment. When I tutored in high school the mom would pay me with one check once a month on the same day each month. It was easier for her to remember because it was the 15th of each month and timed with her pay checks. Then your bill becomes just another bill she has in her schedule to pay. On the rare occasion she forgot all I had to say was, don't forget it's the 15th of the month and she would know exactly what I meant.

Answer 3

Tell her that you realized that you did not get paid the last couple of times and your cell phone bill is due. You need the money.
If nothing works, stop going. It's not worth wasting your time. Then maybe she'll get the picture. You'll be doing her a service. I used to tutor math to kids too. It's not always easy getting paid, but you really have to learn to be firm about it.

Side note:
Are you from Stamford? Do you go to UCONN?

Answer 4

When you arrive to start tutoring hand the mother a receipt for services rendered.. This is a good way to communicate without making her look like a mindless, inconsiderate, airhead.

If this doesn't do the trick, you might ask her out of the presence of the child if she could make it a point to remember the money as you have expenses also.

If she owes you money for past sessions this should definitely be brought to her attention.

Thanks for tutoring our kids....

Answer 5

You are performing a service for her and you should be paid accordingly. It sounds like she has the ability to pay, she is just forgetful.

At the next session remind her that she has forgotten to pay for previous sessions and you would appreciate it if she could start paying for previous sessions. Offer to make a list of missed payments.

If she continues to forget and does not make up for past sessions remind her again that her child is benefitting from tutoring and you would like to get paid for your services.

If that does not work then you should tell her this is my final session her is the total for all tutoring sessions, please let me know when I can pick up your payment or if you wish to mail it to me, here's my address.

Answer 6

She's being rude it f she forgets. After all your right there with her child. What does she think your there for. You would not be out of line to request that you be paid at the end of each session or once a week at the very least.

Answer 7

Perhaps next time you could ask, "Would you like to pay by the session, or would it be easier for you to pay for a month in advance?" (Smile) Then present a bill either weekly or monthly (her choice). Keep it professional, but polite. Good luck!

Answer 8

Just nicely tell her, you accidently forgot to pay on these dates, so actually I should be getting this amount, if you dont have it today maybe we can work out a plan where you pay once a month or something.

Answer 9

Be very direct, and at the start of the next session, state that you need to be paid up front due to her "forgetting" to pay you for X sessions, as well as for any outstanding ones.

Answer 10

Ask her to rewrite the check cause you think you lost it. Appoligize for losing it and tell her to reflect it in her checkbook. Maybe she forgot to pay you and she hasn't realized it yet. Hopefully she'll get better about that. Don't feel bad. You provide a service and she needs to pay you for your time and effort.