I'm curious as to why the 8 summer lessons were not paid for in TOTAL in advance? Then you wouldn't have a problem of student canceling lessons and not paying. If summer is a completely different schedule from the regular school year, if parents pick 8 time slots scattered throughout the season, then you could certainly have them pay for the summer session in total.

My parents tend to be a little more flaky during summer... partly because their schedule isn't what is normally is during the school year but also because they'll schedule music lessons with me, then decide they really want their child to do the art camp that they just found out about, or leave for a last minute trip to the beach, etc...

If you have their summer fee completely paid up front these cancellations wouldn't be a problem.

*I wouldn't spend the $$ on a certified letter. If she read your first email she's read this one.

**Lock your door on lesson day.

I have to keep quoting it to myself when things crop up, as you know they will, Dove! My best friend and I end up reminding each other of this often.

Thanks Q88. I think I'm going to have that made into a t shirt lol.

The 8 summer lessons were not paid in total in advance because I've never had this problem before, ever. You can bet they will be now. The summer term is 11 weeks long this year (in previous years it's been 10) and students are required to come for 8 of those lessons. Never ever have I had a problem like this before, ever. I guess there's a first time for everything.

I have to say I agree with unreal - it's probably not worth the stress, negativity and (possible) bad-mouthing on her part. Your reputation is worth more than the money you've missed out on so I'd just chalk it up to "one of those things" and move on. All businesses deal with things like this. It is an unfortunate part of dealing with the public!

As hard as it is to let it go, I would do so. With nothing in writing, there is not really anything you can do. Have a written policy.

But I do have things in writing. I have an agreement IN WRITING with her signature saying that her agreement was to pay till the end of July regardless of whether lessons were attended. I have written policies that she signed a statement agreeing to abide by. And I have the papers here.

I think that people like this know you have no intention of taking them to small claims court - and so a contract like this doesn't mean too much to them (unfortunately). I feel your frustration! It's hard to let it go, but if you add up the hours of your time you spend fretting, calling, hounding etc. then it's probably not going to end up to be worth it in the long run. Your time is valuable - spend it in other ways that will have more of a payoff.

I know people may disagree with me on this, but I think it's nearly pointless to have a 30-day notice requirement unless you have the time and money for legal action. Otherwise the rule isn't usually enforceable. People will either give you prior notice or they won't, regardless of what a "contract" says.

A breached 30-day requirement would only make me more annoyed than I would already be if someone just up and quit. Why would I put that extra stress upon myself? I request a month's notice, but don't expect it. It's so rare for someone to quit without at least a little notice that if they do I just shrug it off and move on.

I think you are lucky that your people gave you some notice... not the whole summer you wanted, but some. If I understand correctly, you have their fall registration money too. If that’s true, be glad they are not demanding it back and you are having to fight to keep it.

I don't know why you are so upset about the July money, unless it's really the fact that they are leaving that you are upset about. That's totally understandable. It's disappointing when someone leaves, especially to go to another teacher, and especially when you thought things were going great, but it happens. Probably their new teacher shouldn't have taken them since they are your current students, but maybe he/she didn't know. If you continue harping at them about the money, you will appear money-grubbing, and that's not a good reputation to have. If it really is the money you're worried about, I don't know what to tell you except what Ali already said, which is to charge for the whole summer in advance. However, that may not be acceptable to all your students, so you may have some opt out of summer altogether, I don't know. You can weigh that next year.

Meanwhile, for heaven's sake, relax and enjoy the summer.

I hope the wording in your studio policy says "NON-REFUNDABLE Registration Fee", since they already paid the Fall Registration Fee. You're lucky you have that money. All in all, I think you came out okay, minus the hurt feelings. You probably dodged a bullet with this family, if they are that flakey to change teachers at the drop of a hat. If you want to be guaranteed 30 days paid notice, request first and last month's tuition at the time of registration. Good luck with that, though. That's an awful lot of money to lay down right off the bat. I ask for, but don't require, 30 days notice in my policy. It just doesn't come up that often for me to worry about it. No big deal. I'd rather worry about what color nail polish to use on my toenails than to waste time stressing about inconsiderate former piano parents. Take Unreal's advice and enjoy your summer! Make a decision about what you want to do differently next time (if anything) while you're sipping a margarita and enjoying the summer.