Horror Stories - Tutors

[Balim05]

Yes, it is true there are black sheep in every industry, same to parents. But parents have right to know. Parents have their choice. Do investigation before choose.


It is just like the spa case. You took my money first. When I try to make appointment for service, you will say fully booked. After sometime, you moved. So establish law become necessary. Same thing should be done to tutor. There is a retired tutor told me that they are no need to pay tax. They set the rules and parents can choose to follow. When come to the arguement, which section should parents or tutor seek for help?

Just to share.
http://sgforums.com/forums/2297/topics/350513
http://sgforums.com/forums/1279/topics/376107
http://www.mytuitionclub.com.sg/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=134

[tankee]

Actually, tutors are required to pay income tax

[Mdm Koh]

tankee:

Actually, tutors are required to pay income tax

Yes, we are. Cannot run away from paying the government.

I find it strange why Balim05 did not simply employ another tutor and instead, had to wait for the MIA tutor to finish all the lessons. :skeptical: By the way, Balim05, tuition agencies and tutors are trying to earn a living. We are not volunteers, although there are parents who seem to think so. :slapshead:

I am aware of tutors and agencies who overcharge parents, but if the fees are reasonable and in line with market rates, there is no need to label us as \"money-minded\".

Most people in Singapore work for a living. Does that mean that everyone who works is \"money-minded\"? :?

[meinteel]

Balim05 said that the she paid the tutor beforehand. Its a rare case for private tuition isnt it? Most private tutors collect after a fixed number of tuition or at the end of the month. If I were you, I would have asked for refund since she is always not free.


Personally I dont believe in market rates. Before the start of the tuition, all the rates would be discussed. If the parent find it too high, or the tutor finds it too low, just reject. Once you accepted the rates, there is no point being sore about it. One is a willing buyer and the other a willing seller.

Also, everybody has to pay income tax and CPF contribution. Even small time businessman and students doing part time vacation jobs.

Reading the links Balim05 posted, it reminded me of this student I have. At the start, suppose to have one lesson a week but he cancels tuition 2-3 times a month - at the last hour. Imagine your employed asking you to take no pay leave for a week 2-3 times a month on Monday morning through a SMS.

[Mdm Koh]

meinteel:

Balim05 said that the she paid the tutor beforehand. Its a rare case for private tuition isnt it? Most private tutors collect after a fixed number of tuition or at the end of the month. If I were you, I would have asked for refund since she is always not free.


Personally I dont believe in market rates. Before the start of the tuition, all the rates would be discussed. If the parent find it too high, or the tutor finds it too low, just reject. Once you accepted the rates, there is no point being sore about it. One is a willing buyer and the other a willing seller.

Also, everybody has to pay income tax and CPF contribution. Even small time businessman and students doing part time vacation jobs.

Reading the links Balim05 posted, it reminded me of this student I have. At the start, suppose to have one lesson a week but he cancels tuition 2-3 times a month - at the last hour. Imagine your employed asking you to take no pay leave for a week 2-3 times a month on Monday morning through a SMS.

Oh I see. In that case, Balim05, you should contact the agency. The coordinator will be able to speak with the tutor for you. Good luck with that.

I've also met a number of parents and students who cancel tuition at the last hour, meinteel. It's one of the pitfalls of being a tutor. I am fine with cancellations on special occasions. However, if they cancel too many times with poor excuses even when it's not the school holidays, I will terminate the assignment.

Apart from the loss in earnings, I am also concerned about the fact that these parents are booking time slots, which I could've put to more meaningful use tutoring other students who need extra help.

[kitty2]

meinteel:

Balim05 said that the she paid the tutor beforehand. Its a rare case for private tuition isnt it? Most private tutors collect after a fixed number of tuition or at the end of the month. If I were you, I would have asked for refund since she is always not free.


Personally I dont believe in market rates. Before the start of the tuition, all the rates would be discussed. If the parent find it too high, or the tutor finds it too low, just reject. Once you accepted the rates, there is no point being sore about it. One is a willing buyer and the other a willing seller.

Also, everybody has to pay income tax and CPF contribution. Even small time businessman and students doing part time vacation jobs.

Reading the links Balim05 posted, it reminded me of this student I have. At the start, suppose to have one lesson a week but he cancels tuition 2-3 times a month - at the last hour. Imagine your employed asking you to take no pay leave for a week 2-3 times a month on Monday morning through a SMS.

I came across such a tutor,we were asked to pay before hand.That time i was cluless of tutor's fee.I paid her in adavnce and at the end,she was a con tutor!!!!Lately,i asked another tutor,also from forum to show me her certificates to prove that she's a graduate.She could not.

Dedicated and good tutors are hard to come by.

Just sharing.

[Mdm Koh]

kitty2:

I came across such a tutor,we were asked to pay before hand.That time i was cluless of tutor's fee.I paid her in adavnce and at the end,she was a con tutor!!!!Lately,i asked another tutor,also from forum to show me her certificates to prove that she's a graduate.She could not.

Dedicated and good tutors are hard to come by.

Just sharing.

I would suggest that parents pay the tutor either after every lesson or after every 4 lessons. Parents should not pay in advance.

I am aware of one tuition agency that makes parents pay in advance, but this is not a common practice in the industry.

[janice_0950]

Hi Baliam!!!

OMG! what a bad experienced you had.

Oops! mine are super small case then.
Part time tutor fr agency also cannot be trused. As they have their full time jobs cum existing student's. OMG! I speechless not. existing student's. how about mine.....allow her to covered almost a year. Why no reasonable. Cannot figure out!!! Before I wanted to fire her off. who knows she said it 1st. Sms me and get me to hire a tutor. her schedule vvv tight cannot afford 1 an hour for me. OMG! My tution just a day in a week only 1 an half hr. What a short time. She dun even bother to re-schedule her timing. And no notice and tell me off to get a tutor soon.

I found maid & tutor really hard to hire.

Oh dear, SA2 are coming soon. And I need a tutor soon....
Please help me.....:(

[janice_0950]

Madam koh, oh thanks so much of the tips!!!

not to pay advance!

[meinteel]

whitecorp:

Many tuition coordinators are pretty crafty-to seal a deal they will just randomly mix and match, sometimes lying to both parents and tutors concurrently. After all, its non of their business how sour things get once they have earned the first month's commission.


Thats why I shun them like vermin these days.

JC H2 Maths Graduate Tutor

I know right? I hate them too. I always get my own students rather than through the agency. That way, I can speak to the students and parents before confirming the tuition assignment.

That way, I know what the child is like and what are their expectations of me. They would also know what I intent to do and my expectations of the student. We take our time to negotiate the pricing, discuss the student's problem and fix a good timing for the tuition.

I feel it is better this way. I feel more comfortable.