Grace period and cancellations

Hi Everybody:

I just had a lesson scheduled, and 8 minutes AFTER the sheduled time, I received a message from my student cancelling that session.

I propose setting up a class cancellation policy…..and while at it, maybe also implement a grace period. By this I mean, HOW MUCH TIME should a teacher wait for his student….15 minutes? 30 minutes?

The ideal cancellation policy would be cancelling the day before class…..but, its up for debate

Great points Enrique. :)

I think we have tried to brainstorm ideas about cancellations and no shows and we never reached a conclusion. I think there are one or two ideas on the Ideas Board about it.

There are issues here that need to be resolved so we get a satisfactory and fair resolution. I really appreciate you ‘taking it by the horns’ and starting a fresh discussion about it. :)

Charge the class in advance and make sure every student knows that if they are to cancel, it must be done with certain time in advance.
If not, that class will be charged.
Just need to work on how much in advance and some other details, like technical misfunctions…

I wonder if these policies need to be set by the individual tutors, like they do their rates?

No Sandra, I think this should be standard for all. Although, there are points to consider: internet connection, weather, etc…etc.

Also in the record we could see if a student makes it a habit of not showing up. If its a connection problem, then he’d better reconsider……things of the sort must be taken into consideration.

Its always good business practice not to punish too harshly a dedicated, formal student, who one day had a legitimate mishap.

Hi Everybody:

It happened again ands by the same student. I got stood up again….that’s twice in a row by the same person.

I know very well that this is common in this business. But, we must also try to cover our backs, in a fair manner for everybody.

I propose implementing and making it clear to the students that there is a Grace period of 30 minutes. After that, the teacher DOES NOT need to wait more….and the student will be charged for the class.

Also implement a rule in which cancellations are accepted only certain time before the scheduled class…for example 6 hours.

On the other hand “reward” somehow those students consistently respectful of their scheduled sessions.

Anyway…..just thoughts

I’m sorry this happened Enrique, it is very frustrating I know. I hope they at least contact you to explain what happened, it may have been a genuine reason but until you hear otherwise, I know it’s difficult.

I do agree some sort of procedure would be a good idea. I like the idea that the student pays a very small fee (perhaps the 15%) in order to actually book the lesson. That wouldn’t guarantee they’d show up but at least it’d go someway as somebody with no intention of showing up wouldn’t pay anything.

Marco:

I agree that making a charge at the moment of booking would be helpful.

Maybe a class reminder would help. Specially for those students that book a session with one week in advance or so. A 24 hour reminder might be beneficial.

Enrique, you’ve made a good point. I think I used to get reminders as a tutor about up and comin lessons but I haven’t had them for a while. I wonder if students for them too? I will find out.

no shows is an ever ending problem in this business. I know well. I’ve battled with it for the last #$%^U years.

But, lets find a fair solution to all parties involved

I am in agreement with Enrique and all out for a deposit system at the time of scheduling. Once the tutor accepts a session request, there will be a deposit credited to the tutor. If the student is a no-show after 15 minutes or so, or doesn’t show up for their “Introduction” time, the tutor will be paid the deposit. The deposit amount will be subtracted from the total session fee of course. I am also in favor of having a counter for “no-shows” on the student profile page of that student, that some have already suggested. Time IS money.

Great Wren!

I always agree with Wren too. :)

Another point that could pertain to this topic is to open another channel of communication.

As far as I know, (correct me if I’m wrong) all communication among edufire parties, admin, teachers, students, is though this website.

What happens if there’s a class scheduled, and a teacher/student can’t show up because of a technical issue, no internet, bad weather, and so on….

If this is the case, there’s NO way he/she can notify the other party.

I know that direct communication between student/teacher is not in edufire’s best interest.

Why not establish an SMS system in which teachers/students contact edufire, and edufire relays the message via SMS to the other party?

Again, thinking out loud.

At least a teacher/student has been notified. This doesn’t really take away the NO SHOW……..mmmm

Good idea, Wren!

Hi everyone ! I can´t agree more with Wren! good idea Enrique!

Wren and Enrique, I really like the idea of a small deposit at the time of scheduling. I can’t tell you how many times I have had sessions canceled with no response. It is frustrating after I have planned a lesson and spent my time doing so for no purpose. As a rule, I wait fifteen minutes and maybe longer if I know the student always shows up most of the time. Yes, there should be a way to inform the student/teacher that you are having technical difficulties. I had that very thing happen to me this morning, but I couldn’t get online to inform the student for five minutes. There should be a back up, perhaps a number we could call to report a problem.

Candy! A central number where we could call or send a SMS via cell phone. And have this central relay the message via SMS also.

Ideas flowing….ha