Now that school is back in session, the pool of affordable tutors might be shrinking. Whether more and more clients are popping up to grab the best educational deals in town or the tutors themselves are going back to school and being forced to cut their hours, demand tends to outpace supply during the fall semester.
An old friend of mine used to raise his price per session starting October 1. The increased demand made it so he could still get work at the higher rate. He also happened to tutor high school economics, which was convenient. He enjoyed the opportunity to teach a real-world lesson.
Tutor negotiation tips
Freelance tutors often set their own price, which means that a savvy negotiator can shell out a smaller handful of dollars per hour than someone who just sees the rate and pays it. Really, it can't hurt to try.
The simple and honest tactic can be surprisingly successful. If you tell your tutor that you'd love to work with them but would rather pay less, they might just cut back the rate right there and then. Don't be upset, though, if they stand their ground.
It can work in reverse, too. Offering a tutor more than their going rate and booking a little ways in advance can usually guarantee you a spot in their schedule once the school year rolls around.
What to watch out for
Remember, though, no matter how you negotiate you should never expect to get an enormous amount less than a tutor's going rate. Freelance tutors set their prices according to what they think their services are worth, so asking for too deep a discount might be offensive to your supplemental education provider.
Respect your tutor's needs and they will respect yours. Happy negotiating!
