Story 6 - Parents who do not pay

Here is an apology to all readers for the late update because I have been trying to collect back commissions from parents. As tuition coordinators, I believe many must have experienced delayed payments from parents and having to chase them for the commissions. Sometimes, having to chase after debts is quite a chore because of two likely scenarios that might happen.

1) We offend the parent unknowingly through a gentle reminder sent to them. Example, some may feel that we are trying to imply they are running away with our commission. Being in the service industry, relationships with the parents are important and we must constantly be aware if we could be saying the wrong thing through a slip of tongue.

2) Due to fear of offending the parents in any way, some may choose to wait for parents to recall the payments and send the cheques back to them. However, there will always be times when parents are tight up with work and forget all about the commission. The poor coordinators then either have to wait very long for the payment or forfeit the payment. Usually, tuition coordinators would hold on to the last strand of hope that payment will arrive soon.

Since we are on the topic of collecting commission, let me share with you a really bad experience of mine. Last year November, a parent called me to request for a tutor to teach two very young children. We sent one down and within a few lessons, the parent called to complain and asked for a change. We replaced the tutor immediately and lessons went smoothly till the second tutor called me up to inform she would like to terminate the lessons.

What happened was she had to travel from house to house for this family because lessons would be held at different places on different days. What was tiresome for the tutor was that the parents do not inform her beforehand. Thus, she would only know the exact location when she reached the house. For this case, she deserved to be paid for the lessons she had taught. Now, the issue is, the parent has not yet paid, till now, even after numerous reminders from us. In fact, the parent has assumed another identity, just to avoid the payment. For such a scenario, what should be done?