Our worst offender has traditionally been the State of NJ, one time it took six months to receive payment. If the problem is severe enough you might want to consider a collections program or just write off a certain percentage as the cost of doing business in NY. I would keep a record of teachers and schools that seem to be habitual offenders, for them it needs to be cash up front. When they squawk about DoE policy I would just list the number of offenses during the preceding 3 or 4 years and remain firm.

 

Cheers, --Nicholas

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Krista Kohlhausen
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 10:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: guaranteeing payment for school groups w/programs

 

Hello All-

Although it has gotten a lot better, we still have issues with receiving full payment, or even a deposit, from school groups who have booked educational programs at the Museum.  The New York City Dept of Education, our most common school group visitor, is not allowing their teachers to pay any money in advance of their visit.  We have asked the NYCDoE teachers to send faxes of the Purchase Orders they fill out to the NYCDoE, but this does not always work out.

 

Any great ideas from your institution? Weekly we still have a handful of no-shows, no monies received…

THANKS!

 

Krista Ann Kohlhausen

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Vice President, Education Programs

(212)957-7050/fax (212)957-3729

 

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