'You promised me that my daughter would achieve at least A2 to B3': Tutor says parent won't pay fees
A parent has purportedly refused to pay a month's tuition fees, as she says her daughter did not achieve the grades the tutor promised — but the tutor says they made no such guarantee.
Redditor @Hot-Yak-9984, who has been a tutor in secondary school mathematics for five years, shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp exchange with a parent who insists she is not obliged to pay $600 in tuition fees.
The reason: her daughter did not attain the A2 or B3 grade she claims the tutor guaranteed.
The tutor, who insists no such promise was made, gave the parent a week to pay up before filing a claim at the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT). The parent replied: "Received with many thanks! I will file a counterclaim."
The parent also accused the tutor of bypassing the tuition agency and charging her a higher amount than the person who referred her to the tutor. The original poster explained that there was no need to go through the agency since it was a private referral.
In response to Stomp's queries, the tutor added the higher fees were due to the longer travelling distance and parking fees involved, as the student lives in a central area. The $600 fee was for six sessions of two hours, at a rate of $50 an hour.
"Never guaranteed results. Always said that I believe student can score a B3-A2 based on her performance on TYS (ten-year series)," said the tutor in a response to a comment, adding that there was never any mention of "only paying if the kid scores a specific grade".
The tutor also sought advice from commenters, as this was their first time filing such a claim.
'Let her do it'
Many commenters on the post, which was made on Nov 17, sympathised with the tutor. "Let her do it. It will make herself look like a fool," said a Redditor.
"I think you shouldn't be too worried as you only verbally said that you personally believe the kid could get x grades. You never said in writing you guarantee x grades conditional to you receiving any payments. Service has been provided with an agreed rate for such service. That's the only thing you need to prove," another said.
Netizens also agreed that there was no means of guaranteeing results. "Professionalism means do your best but no guarantee. See doctor, doesn't mean will cure but still must pay the bill," said one Redditor.
"Unreasonable eh the parent. She already lived for so many years yet she still cannot understand the fact that nothing is guaranteed. Regarding the payment issue, if OP did not guarantee results then nothing is wrong," said another.
Tutors weigh in
Several tutors among the Redditors chimed in as well.
"Results ultimately depends on the student. The child can't rely fully on tutor. Meaning you can tuitions daily, but the child still have to put in their due diligence to study and work hard. Without that, there won't be any good outcome," said one.
Another shared that she was cheated of her fees: "I'm a tutor and encountered the same issue where client refuses to pay after 1 lesson. Showed up at their door for the 2nd lesson and no answer. Time and effort to travel there was wasted, decided to cut losses instead of going to Small Claims Tribunal. Still angry though."
Some netizens suggested, likely in jest, that the OP sue the parent for causing distress. "Maybe you can also file lawsuit for parent causing distress under POHA. Claim psychological damage of few thousand sgd," said one.
Another agreed: "You absolutely can include damages in Small Claims Court! Whether the magistrate will award depends on you being able to substantiate it. Like if you got harassed by online trolls, or had to seek any professional help, or lost business due to unfounded accusations then it absolutely can be grounds for seeking damages!"
