Whats up with contracts in Martial Arts?????

[blue-dragon]

One year ago I walked into a WTF Tae Kwon Do school. Having trained in Tang Soo Do I decided to try the newer version of my style. The prices were higher than a gym and I didn't see any good training equipment. On top of that after a month the so-called master of honor and discipline hit me with the contract. Why couldn't he mention that a month earlier. And the contract gave a time period that I should become 1st Dan { after telling me I had to start white belt when I knew more than he could probably teach me besides fancy forms}. Since when was there a select time period to achieve a rank or more importantly a skill.

I haven't heard of anything so stupid in my life I just want to know how bad things are elsewhere. Its a disgrace to the spirit of all martial arts.

[Skummer]

I hate contracts myself, but I definitely understand them from a business perspective. Most people who sign up at an MA school usually end up quitting within 6 months, or so it seems.
They find out it's harder than they thought. That is, if it's a realistic school.



- Skummer -

If you think you can speak about Tao, it is clear you don't know what you're talking about.
-Lao Tzu

[PizDoff]

Well.......there are definately a "lot" of bad points about contracts.

But I'm sure you may assume the topic has been discussed before. Use the search option above......


A good point of contracts is that it allows the operator to know you are commited and he doesn't have to worry about rent for a bit.....



--
Hard Work, Patience, Dedication

Fighting Multiples - http://bullshido.com/article_read.asp?id=162

[patfromlogan]

I've had more luck using google to search than this site's own search.

And as the Kyokushin dojo add in the yellow pages used to say in HNL, No Contracts, Just Hard Workouts!

[Cool Doggy]

Not really against contacts but wouldn't contracts discourage some people from joining a school/club?

Someone might say, "I'll join your school/club IF I do not have to get locked into a contract."



Edited by - Cool Doggy on August 23 2003 12:19:45

[Trent]

"Most people who sign up at an MA school usually end up quitting within 6 months, or so it seems.
They find out it's harder than they thought. That is, if it's a realistic school."

Or maybe some people want to give MA a honest try and they figure 6 months is ample amount of time to formulate an opinion of whether it's for them or not. I wouldn't say that people leave because they can't handle it in all cases. Six months might just be the time it takes to realize what idiotic freaks the people next to you are and how little they can fight after studying several years.

[Dibble]

Like the saying goes, "You don't have to eat the whole turd to know it's not a crabcake."

Personally, I feel contracts are for inept teachers. I've avoided schools for that very reason.

If you've got the goods, I will come. If you're real good, I'll bring my friends.

If you run a lousy school, I should be able to tell you what I think with my feet.

We're not talking chump change here. Would anyone be willing risk shelling out several hundred to thousands of dollars to choke down a turd? Because that's what it'll feel like.

[FingerorMoon?]

I don't have a problem with contracts.
You don't want it, don't sign it.

I always pay yearly upfront (you tend to get the biggest discount that way)

[Phrost]

Actually, I agree. Contracts themselves aren't a bad thing; they protect the school financially.

RIDICULOUS contracts, for multiple years, at extreme cost, for sub-par training are what we generally take exception to here.

Were I running a school, I'd probably have both a contract (at a discounted rate), and a month-to-month rate (slightly higher).

[Kungfoolss]

Were I running a school, I'd probably have both a contract (at a discounted rate), and a month-to-month rate (slightly higher).

That's how our local YMCA is run; their facilities, not necessarily the martial arts programs mind you. You either pay yearly or month-to-month with the yearly rate being a bit cheaper which makes sense as it provides an incentive.

However, when it comes to a martial arts school, it would seem reasonable for a student to have the ability to opt out of a contract. Especially, if the program is not at all as he expected or was led to believe. With the instructor refunding a portion of the allotted money for services no longer required. From my perspective, such an approach would go a long way in improving the standing of the school within their community as honest and fair.






Edited by - kungfoolss on August 26 2003 21:44:21

[blue-dragon]

Yes Phrost contracts can be good, but this certain instructer waited a month to bring this up. I am an electrician / heating and air conditioning tech and I had a verbal agreement that I would do a monthly check on heating and air system and service lights ( bulbs and Ballast ) This would pay for price to train and if I really had to work on anything then he would pay me cash or give a few months for free.

I almost laughed at him when he tried to get me to sign the contract a month after our agreement. I didn't make him sign any service contracts. I was giving him discounted side work. Honesty is the best way to do good buisness.

[blue-dragon]

And when I read contract it stated only way out was to move 50 miles from dojo, dojo move 10 miles from its previous location, or if doctor stated I was disabled. Sounded like trouble to me.

The only thing promised in life is death, everything else is achievement.

[gojuJKDdude]

It depends on the contrct. A contract that allows you to cancel as long as you give thirty days written notice is annoying but doable. A contract that locks you in for a year with no way out under any cicumstances is unacceptable IMHO.

[Peacedog]

I've seen both good and bad situations with contracts. It has probably been mentioned here before, but make sure you check out the place and like it first. Contracts of more than 6 months are probably unreasonable. One of the better bagua guys, Park Nom Bak, requires a three month contract to start. However, everyone acknowledges that his stuff is really good. If it were some no name school of TKD or Karate I'd be very suspicious if they hit me with a 1 yr contract.

[m4949]

Blue Dragon,
Contracts are becoming more and more common, Particularly in TKD. It took me months to find a school with that had either no contract (which I never found) or one with a reasonable contract that I could back out of should I need to. Interestingly enough, the school I found teachs both TKD and Tang Soo Do with more emphasis on TSD style.

My advise, Stay with Tang Soo Do! The style is more praticle than TKD and so far it's the only art I found to offer a reasonable contract!

Your skills are EXTRAordinary; You have our Gratitude.