ldretzka

Wow, thanks again to all your input and from people who know so much more about MA (not a sport) than I do! Some clarity, its been around $1200 from white to advanced purple (plus $40 per graduation). This is not the cost of each belt cycle but for the whole time so far. (they charged us $300 down then so much a month with financing/interest). I signed a contract for instruction from white to red belt, payed $300 and have been making monthly payments (with interest) since last Feb. Adding up class and graduation costs (which they did not tell me about when I signed up) and interest charges the total cost from white to red belt will be about $1900.....that does seem very high. I would agree with all of you. Their prices are high if not very high. It's very concerning that they only offer one very expensive long contract with no other options. When I questioned them on this they said that they are trying to teach commitment and that is why the contract is so long. That if your child losses interest they would talk with/ work with them to encourage them to stay....or stay with it. When I asked if my child did lose interest....it was obvious that my monthly bill would stay the same. Thanks again for all the input everyone! I plan to follow your advise and look for a new place which I have started to. Since we did sign a contract to stay/pay till red belt we will stay till then. I just really hope my daughter will continue to stick with MA. This is the longest she has stuck with something like this, she enjoys it, gets exercise and is pretty good at it. But she hates change. Good thing is many places offer a free class to try them out so maybe that will help.

A big big thank you to both of you for your input! I am more than willing to commit to taking and paying for as many years of Karate that my daughter would like to take. She has enjoyed it and I love seeing her committing, improving, build self confidence, etc. All the reasons I am sure others do this for. Its a great sport! But a FIVE year contract is sooooo long to buy into for a ten year old. What if she loses interest, we move, etc. Also not offering any other options.....not cool at all. I have paid about $1200 + $40 for each graduation ceremony (from white to advanced purple). It includes unlimited classes (but we go about 2X a week) and a outfit. So the $6100 (graduations would be extras) includes outfit, unlimited classes (and 10% interest on the fee over a 48 moth period) and be good from advanced Purple to 2nd degree black belt (they say it could take 5 years but the price is the same no matter how long it takes). They also put pressure on you to join now by offering you a discount of $1,500 (the $6100 is with that discount!) but if you wait it goes away and you have to pay all of it (so it would be closer to $7,600). I would be fine paying per month, buying in for 6 months...heck even a year. I would pay $100-$130 a month even. Buts its the 5 year contract ($600 down upfront) that is so concerning. (fyi, I am in MN/twin cities area. There are other places but my girl hates change and I so don't want to see her lose interest. But I think I need to start looking for another place). Thanks again everyone!! please give me more input......I still have to convince my husband its a scam/ not a good deal. thanks!

Im not sure who to ask this but thought you could give an opinion on this. My 10 (almost 11) year old daughter has been taking, and very much enjoying, karate and is at advanced Purple level. After asking about how much for the next level I was told the (bad) news. Over $6,000 (48 months to finance) to get to second degree black belt. The school says it could take about 5 years to get to that level, which is fine. There are no other options to continue, no monthly or yearly options, that's it. So basically I am agreeing to buy karate classes for a 10/11 year old for the next 5 years thinking, or hoping, that she still likes Karate in 5 years when she is 15/16. If she does not want to take classes any more well too bad.....no options. This cost does not include graduation/ testing fees but includes a outfit. This seems so crazy! Please let me know your opinion on this. Its very hard since my daughter and I do like the place and it has been the only thing that she has stuck with for about a year so far. I really do want to continue but feel like I am being taken advantage of. Please I could use an informed persons input on this....to me it seems high and crazy to commit for so long.