The most graceful way to deal with the situation is by asking an indirect question. Make sure to use your most neutral tone of voice when using the following examples.
- Were you planning on paying me today or next time?
- I can't remember, did you pay for this week last week?
- Will you need cash back today?
- Will you want me to send you an invoice?
- Did you need my address to send me the check?
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I think it's important not to be shy about asking for money, but also to be polite. I get to know which parents are late-payers - they use excuses like "I've run out of cheques", when they could pay by bank transfer. I try to be tolerant, but have, on occasion, wanted to say "no payment, no lesson next week!". It's a tricky call - we rely on our clients for our income, so we have to be courteous in our dealings with them!
ReplyDeleteHi there, that's true that some people just don't want to pay. I think that with those people it's best to have them pay in advance. But you're right, it is tricky to stay on the line between being firm and politically correct!
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