if my friend wants me to tutor him, should i accept payment or do it for free?

Question

i am a private tutor. his parents are cool w/ paying me but i'm not sure if this is morally correct.

Answer 1

I was going to ask which one of you needs the money more...

It is not immoral to be paid for work you do... even if it's from a friend... and exception might be if he needed the help but could not afford to pay... then you would be helping a friend...

Answer 2

I would maybe give them a discount price, seeing as how this is how you make your money and the tutoring time you are spending with him is costing you money! It's up to you, but I would consider the discount. If you want to be generous maybe a 50% discount. That way you are not at a total loss, and they don't feel like bums. And what if all your friends want you to tutor them, when they find out that you are giving this one friend free tutoring lessons. Then what? You can't offer it to someone else and not another friend of equal importance. For business sake I would charge something.

Answer 3

How bad do you value his friendship? How long a period of
time are you willing to tutor him? If this is for a short term,
then consider it a gift of friendship to tutor him for free. You
could do this in your off time in the evenings, just for him. And
that way, you won't have to worry about losing income during
the normal working hours. True friends never charge other
friends for favors. Now if he's not a real friend, but an aquain-
tance you do see often, then you could consider charging
a lessor rate than you normally charge for services rendered.
But I'd take the first approach and teach him after hours. Then
you maintain your friendship without any bruised feelings. Just
don't let it take up so much of your evening, that you don't
have time to yourself before having to go to bed for work the
next day. To thine own self be true, as well.

Answer 4

If you are a tutor by profession, than you have every right to charge, just as doctors and lawyers will charge for a visit regardless of what their relationship is with that person.
There are three reasons for this.
1) You are entitled to be properly compensated for your professional services as that is your bread and butter.
2) When the client pays, it assures continuity. It becomes a job instead of a favor.
3) You don't feel imposed upon and your friend doesn't feel beholden to you. (people don't like to feel beholden.)
Of course, the rates you charge should be determined by how much preparation you have to do for the class as well as the nature of your friendship. If he is 'just a friend', charge him your normal rate. If he's a real close friend, you can give him a discount.

Answer 5

I think it's fine either way, but you should definitely make arrangements BEFORE you start the tutoring. If you are only going to tutor him a couple of times maybe you won't want to worry about charging. But if it's a long-term relationship and it takes you away from other work then it's reasonable to charge.

Answer 6

Since this is about etiquette, what you have agreed upon matters. However, since you're friends, accept what your friend gives, especially if you tutored your friend well. Or you can do it this way: accept what your friend gives (if nothing was given, it's okay, as long as you don't have any agreement on this), then give him supplementary stuff (something that he didn't ask for, but what you perceived is needed) to work upon in your tutoring. It's like putting your best foot forward in helping your friend, okay?

Answer 7

Hmm....If you've known the family forever something dosnt sound right. Ask your friend strait up whats going on. Her parents might not trust you tutoring her or even she may not really want the tutoring & doesn't want to come out & say it.

Answer 8

I would not charge him the same rate as you do others. I would accept payment and don't refuse it if they insist. If you refuse it, it might be an insult to his parents if they are the ones paying you. Good Luck. Or have them pay the full rate every other time, like two sessions for the price of 1.

Answer 9

It is correct if your charge other clients. You might opt to discount, but you are not required.

Being paid keeps the relationship formal. You can't slack and neither can he.

Parents already indicated they are cool with paying. This means the are committed to his need of learning.

Answer 10

I think you should accept payment if you need it/want it as it is your job and that is how you actually earn money, they are taking up some of your potential earning time. You could probably offer a discount though