Question:
I was wondering do you offer a free lesson? Just for like 20 minutes. Then, if I like it I start paying? I just got screwed over on my last lessons. Once I paid $150 for 5 lessons, they never picked up again or called me back. So now my mom isn’t going to let me take lessons unless I can get a free one first. So please help me out, thanks.
Answer:
I am really sorry this happened to you. That is why you have to get references about people before you work with them, and make sure they are who they say they are. It is a very hard lesson to learn.
Especially now, with so many teachers working by phone and Internet, clients have to be careful. Teachers also have to be careful – we also lose money and are treated unfairly.
It is not reasonable to expect a new teacher to compensate for what another has done. Nor is it fair to ask a professional to give their time for free. However, some of us are willing to give a refund for the first lesson if you find no value in it.
You might find a beginning teacher who is willing to give complementary lessons in order to build their studio, and many beginning teachers are wonderful. I wish you all the success in the world.