Screwy teacher or is this normal?

[behemecoytl]

I’d never had any formal bass lessons, so I found a teacher and signed up. The teacher’s payment “contract” says that he charges $45/hour, based on a 50 week per year schedule (with Thanksgiving and Xmas weekends off). I signed up for lessons in November and the teacher calculated my payment to be $187.50, which is $45*50(weeks in a year)/12= $187.50.

Here’s where it becomes tricky. Since $180 would pay for 4 hours ($45*4=$180), I assumed that I had paid for 4 hours of lessons… so I had a lesson the first weekend in November, and again the next week, and my 3rd lesson was the week before Thanksgiving--- 3 total hours… and on my 3rd lesson, I mentioned to my teacher that next weekend was Thanksgiving, and that I’d see him the week after—But No… he said my lessons were done, and that I had only paid for lessons for November (he also says he doesn’t charge by the month), and that payment is based on this weird 50 week schedule. I feel like I should get a $45 refund (or credit toward another month of lessons), since I only got 3 hours…

This seems unfair to me, but this is my first experience with music lessons- is this normal?

[Febs]

Originally Posted by behemecoytl

This seems unfair to me, but this is my first experience with music lessons- is this normal?

No.

[drteeth]

Originally Posted by Febs

No.

+1. Noooooooo.

[deekay911]

It's a little odd, and his way of tying you into a long-term commitment - good for him, not so good for you unless he turns out to be a great teacher, which is always possible.

That being said, you will get your 50 lessons over the year, so there will be months when you get 5 in a month for $187 - right? It should all even out..

[GianGian]

Around here it is usual to charge holidays and not giving the lesson. It really depends on what the "contract" says. If it says you pay for holidays and get no lesson, then...you get no lesson. If it doesn't specify then he is being dishonest.

[Jerose]

In my opinion, he just shafted you. He bases it off a 50 week year and still charges you for the weeks you don't pay? You're giving him vacation pay. He basically over complicated the calculation of your pay that you were confused out of your money.

What should happen is he should simply figure out how many weeks a month he is available to teach, multiply it by $45, and that is your monthly payment.

Others may have different opinions, but I'd say don't go back there if he's going to pull stuff like that. You signed the contract, so there's probably not too much you can do about it besides not locking yourself into it again.

[behemecoytl]

Originally Posted by deekay911

It's a little odd, and his way of tying you into a long-term commitment - good for him, not so good for you unless he turns out to be a great teacher, which is always possible.

That being said, you will get your 50 lessons over the year, so there will be months when you get 5 in a month for $187 - right? It should all even out..

Right--- there are months of 5 lessons per month, but I also made it clear to him that I couldn't pay for a year of lessons, and had to save up to just get one month... so I guess I just picked the wrong month, but I feel like he could have been more clear about it.

[bass12]

This sounds like a very odd arrangement to me. Does this guy have solid credentials?

[bass12]

Originally Posted by behemecoytl

Right--- there are months of 5 lessons per month, but I also made it clear to him that I couldn't pay for a year of lessons, and had to save up to just get one month... so I guess I just picked the wrong month, but I feel like he could have been more clear about it.

If it's by the month then this teacher's little scheme isn't going to work. Lay it out - one lesson per week, per month. Simple.

[behemecoytl]

Originally Posted by Jerose

You signed the contract, so there's probably not too much you can do about it besides not locking yourself into it again.

I didn't sign a contract... that's another wierd thing. He has a payment "contract" but also advertises "No Contracts", and when I told him I was just signing up for a month, he was okay with that.

[Jerose]

Originally Posted by behemecoytl

I didn't sign a contract... that's another wierd thing. He has a payment "contract" but also advertises "No Contracts", and when I told him I was just signing up for a month, he was okay with that.

So you didn't actually sign anything? What did the contract look like? Just like an invoice for the amount you paid?

[ugly_bassplayer]

IMO something is not right with that guy.
That 50 week contract thing is just plain weird.

[behemecoytl]

Originally Posted by Jerose

So you didn't actually sign anything? What did the contract look like? Just like an invoice for the amount you paid?

Yes, it looked like an invoice- he sent it over email before my first lesson. It showed the price calculation as $45/hour * 50 weeks in a year (52- Xmas and thanksgiving= 50 weeks)/ 12 = $187.50, and reminded me that payment was due at the beginning of the 1st lesson.

It said that thanksgiving and xmas would be off-weeks, and I assumed that meant that the lesson would take place the week after. and as assumptions go...

[bass12]

Originally Posted by GianGian

Around here it is usual to charge holidays and not giving the lesson. It really depends on what the "contract" says. If it says you pay for holidays and get no lesson, then...you get no lesson. If it doesn't specify then he is being dishonest.

Pay for a lesson you don't get?

[Gopher Bob]

He owes you an hour or a refund or a really amazing sandwich.

[adammazza]

Even though the math works out, he does seem to be complicating things. How are make up lessons handled if you miss a week?

Adam

[FunkMetalBass]

I think this may be the case of buyer beware and to read all "contracts" carefully.

His logic is that you will be taking 50 lessons per year, and he showed you the math that carefully demonstrated this. You accepted the terms and paid the money.

I've never heard of this (only month-to-month plans), so it's definitely not normal, but it seems fairly clear to me.

I'd recommend finding somebody who will only charge monthly or sticking with this guy to get your money's worth.

I'm very sad to see that this happened.

[tool_fan420]

sounds like a dousche bag to me... i would seek someone else for lessons... plus $45 an hour is really high! find someone else or watch alot of vids on youtube for FREE. it might take longer to get the concepts but free is always good!

[behemecoytl]

Here's the Policy:

Billing

All billing is prepaid by check or paypal (set up with instructor) a month in advance. Payments must be made out to the instructor on time for the lessons to continue. Currently, we do not send bills electronically or by mail. Thus, it is your responsibility to make the payment on time each month. In the event the payment can not be made on the last lesson of the month, it is suggested to remit the payment to:


Rates

NEW STUDENTS

$30 per 30 minute lesson

$35 per 45 minute lesson

$45 per hour lesson


*rates listed are for a 4- week month*


Payment

The monthly lesson payment is to be prepaid. *LESSONS MUST BE PAID FOR ON THE LAST LESSON FOR THE NEXT MONTH. If you are unable to submit payment by the last lesson, payments are to be mailed by no later than the 1st of the next month. Payments received after the 1st of the month incur a $20 late fee. Please make arrangements well in advance if you have a special situation.


You may pay in person or by mail.
Mailed payments must be received no later than the 1st of the month to avoid late charges.
Payments are figured by weeks in a year not by lessons in a month; therefore the payment amount is pro-rated.


Example:

30 minute lessons=$30

$30 x 52 weeks (in a year) =1560/12 months (in a year) =$130 per payments

*pro-ration is based on a 50 week year. There are no lessons the week of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays


Payment Plan for ____________________

1 hour lesson=$45

$45 x 50 weeks=2250/12 months=$187.50 monthly payment

*per with any contract, there is always the possibility of an increase in rates which is contingent on various circumstances

Late Fee

The monthly lesson payment is due by the last lesson for the next month. Any payment received after the 1st day of the month is considered late and a $20 late fee will be invoked. The late fee is due immediately with the late monthly payment. Please do not wait for the instructor to ask you to remit. If for some extenuating reason you cannot pay by the 1st of the month, contact the instructor by phone or email to make alternate arrangements before the 1st. Continual delinquency of payment may result in a cancellation of the agreement and the student may be dropped from lessons.

*If payment is outstanding the lesson will be postponed until both payment and late fee are submitted.


Rescheduling

Your payment assures your time slot for each month. Lessons may not be rescheduled during the school year (Sept.-May). In the event that the instructor cancels a lesson, the student/parent will have the option of making up the lesson. If a make-up lesson is not possible other arrangements can be made with the instructor.


There will not be scheduled lessons during the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Scheduled lessons will be held the week of or on the day of any and all other holidays of the year.

If student/parent will be missing a lesson or lessons during the summer months (June-August) please give the instructor two weeks notice for all dates. Upon receiving proper notice of missed lessons during the summer months, the instructor will provide the option of make-up lessons and will be scheduled with the instructor prior to the dates of absence.


Cancellation

For cancelled lessons, the student is asked to give the instructor 24 hours notice, except for situations deemed emergencies by the instructor. Your payment assures your specific time slot for a lesson, and it is the parent/student’s choice to attend the lesson at the scheduled timeslot. In the event of a missed or cancelled lesson, the student will not receive a credit. The student may be afforded a make-up lesson for a cancellation on a case by case basis, which will be given at the direct discretion of the instructor. Should the instructor cancel a lesson, the student will be afforded a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons are more difficult to schedule during the school year do to the instructor’s hectic schedule. Therefore, make-up lessons for cancellations will be given at the direct discretion of the instructor.


Instructor Absence

Instances of instructor rescheduling and/or cancellation can and do come up. Often, circumstances beyond the instructor’s control influence the scheduling such as: events, rehearsals, performances, recording sessions, etc. In any such case, every effort to make-up the lesson will be afforded to the student. In the event a make-up is not possible, the student will NOT be charged for the lesson.

[anonymous02282011]

Some folks are down to earth and some folks are not.

I've been giving lessons for years and while it certainly helps to have a little extra money on hand, the real joy of teaching is watching your students learn and improve as bassists and musicians.

If the teacher knew you were only in it for a month he should've charged you just for that months worth of lessons.

IME and IMO, your teacher is looking for his own financial interest, ie long-term students. For that I can't blame him, but if you spoke with him about this issue directly I would hope, for his reputation as a teacher, that he would give you a refund for the 'missed' lesson or just give you the fourth hour for which you have already paid.

Now, if you like the way your lessons are going so far, perhaps you should continue with him until you have a 5 lesson/month situation. Then you will have gained back your hour (and your 45 bucks) at which point you can re-evaluate if you want to continue with him.