Cancellation Policy - Riding Instuctors

[miss_molly]

Who has one of clients who cancel lessons? Or whose instructor has one?

What length of time do you use? What is the charge (100%, 50% etc)? How do you enforce it?

Thinking about implenetning one and wanted to ensure it was fair and in line with others in a simialr situation.

Thanks

 

[LiveryList]

I have never had a cancellation policy. I usually only ever have a few regular clients at a time for regular slots and they have always re-booked.

After all if they are sick, have a family emergency or the horse is lame its not really their fault so i wouldn't expect them to pay for something out of their control. However, if you are that busy that you could have filled the space three times over i would consider implementing a charge but can be hard to enforce and ensure people actually pay- which is why alot of people dont bother.

Only thing that may be affected is if you hire an arena or something whcih has a charge upon cancellation but i always get clients to do this themselves so if they cancel i have no responsibility with that side of things.

 

[MissTyc]

I don't have an official policy, but starting to think I should introduce one!

Until very recently I've never had problems - people have cancelled for legitimate reasons, usually giving as much notice as they could. Lately, unfortunately, I seem to have had a run of idiots, calling a few hours before a lesson and saying they have to cancel for random non-legitimate reasons! Reading around, I think less than 24 hours = full lesson paid for (although, knowing me, I'd always be happy to accept legitimate cancellations with a rebooking!)

 

[blueneonrainbow]

My instructor charges a 50% charge within 12 hours. I pay because I want to maintain a good relationship with her as she's a good instructor. Plus she has a business to run and a riding school to maintain. It does annoy me when she cancels within the same time frame, often causing inconvenience and I don't get consideration from her ... Like texting at 6.30 to move or cancel a lesson at 8am.

 

[miss_molly]

I dont currently have one, but have been running my freelance work just to pay insurance so had small band of lovely clients. Now starting to take on more, and some weekends im fully booked, so could refill a space if soemone cancels.

I think I should advertise a policy so that people can provide as much notice as possible, but then legitamte reasons such as sudden illness, lameness ect i would waiver it on a case by case example.

I had one person call as I arrived at the yard, which was annoying to say the least.

 

[MrsHutt]

My instructor only answers her phone at certain times of the day, so if you need to cancel out of those times you can't let her know! She doesn't seem to mind, though and everyone does their best to let her know as far in advance as possible! Now that I am a livery client too, I have her mobile so can text anytime - but she still doesn't seem to mind!

If she can't make the lesson for any reason (very rare), she arranges for one of her (excellent) substitutes to fill in.

I think she has so many clients that she can always get someone to take a slot if she wants to fill it!