Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Remember me talking about the "dolt mom"?

Well, it's official. She is.

This time when I sent the invoice home with the student (who does a good job and is a joy) I stapled a refund check for overpayment, and I highlighted her total due on the invoice.
Yup, still sent my over again, this time is was $8 over. I'm keeping it from now on. Maybe you guys are right, maybe it's meant as a tip. Although it would be my first!

E&I - It's a test. Just keep good records and reduce her bill every month until one month, you surprise her with no bill!

Yikes why would anyone want to do that? That didn't even cross my mind!
I do keep very accurate records, and I still have all of them back to 1995!

This is just a guess, but when she pays you over, is it like rounding up to the nearest ten or something? Maybe she just likes to keep a nice checkbook with everything in even multiples or ending in zeroes or something.

Have you ever talked to her and told her that you would like to be paid the exact amount, not more and not less? She may simply believe that the exact amount doesn't matter as long as she pays at least the correct amount. The life of private teaching as a business that involves bookkeeping with precise records would escape many people unless they are self-employed in some capacity and must do similar things. She probably has no idea that paying you more than she should is throwing you for a loop.

Yes, if it were me, I'd have to talk to her. That would drive me batty! Sometimes I have parents round up to the next dollar when they are buying method books, but that's crazy! Did she keep the check you sent her?

In retrospect, this is the most likely scenario. It occurs to me that this is occupying far more mental energy on your part than it should. Can you just pick up the phone, call her, and say "you've been sending extra money in every month, and I just want to ask if it's an intentional tip so that I can thank you properly or whether you're unclear on the exact amount charged for lessons"?

Monica, pulling my tongue out of my cheek for a minute, let me say that I totally agree with you on this one. It's tactful but to the point, and will solve the problem instantly.

And, Ebony & Ivory,

Don't accidently say "Hello, Mrs. Dolt?" when you call her.

Betty

I had a mother do the exact same thing, and when I reduced her bill the next month, she refused to pay the lower bill, and said she overpayed as a tip.

Wow, a tip, really? I've never gotten a monatary "tip" as a teacher!

Ebony & Ivory,

How are you and Mrs. Dolt doing these days?

Betty

Same old.
nothing new, I gave up. She doesn't call back and she sends Gpa or the nanny for lessons.
Makes me wonder about all her other bills tho!!

Stanny, Yes, she kept the check. I've never gotten a tip before either.

Monica, no it's just random numbers

I have to say that her inability to speak with you and constant overpayment is incredibly odd. All the same, if you have tried multiple times to contact her and nothing is done, then I would stop worrying about it. People can act strange.

-Colin

I have one mom who always pays ahead different amounts, usually every month. She's not a dolt, just can't stand to owe money to anyone...any kind of debt bothers her. So she pays ahead in case her child has new music charges.

Since I email invoices monthly, we both know where she stands. Never though about it too much, except I do make sure I can refund her money in case her student drops, which is unlikely.

It would never occur to me the extra money was a tip.