Trying to help my 13 year old

[bushido_man96]

That contract isn't like anything I've ever heard of before. If that is the actual deal, then its pretty darn good, if your kids stay with it.

I'm not as set against contracts like sensei8 is, but I have a different view of them. I'm actually on a contract with my school, because I know I'm going to be regular for quite some time yet. So, its just easier for the money to be drawn from my account than me having to remember to right a check every month. A lot depends on how the termination of the contract comes out, as well. Be sure to check on that.

[joesteph]

Also last night they just told my 13 year old he can train with both srs and Jr classes. That is 2 and half hours every day.

Rather than refer to the contract, which has already been signed, I'd like to ask you to consider the amount of daily time put into training. He has homework, a social life outside the dojo/dojang, and need for his body to rest/recuperate. I believe it's too much time to take, despite the generous time offer. It'll burn him out.

Why not an hour a day, 3-4 days a week, for your son to start out, Coffee Cat? It's better for him that if he's hungry for more, more is available. It's psychologically better to be in a state of readiness to add more, than feeling it's work, like a job, and needing to cut back.

[coffeecat]

Hi all,

Bushido, your surprised response made me rethink putting those details on a public forum so I went back and removed them. I am looking at the flyer right now and that is indeed the advertised price per month for a lifetime membership. However, the flier doesn't say 2 for 1 so ... <>. I also think it's a good deal when I compare it to my friends deals, although I was not crazy about the 3 year commitment. That's why I was asking so many questions.

You scare me a little when you say "it all depends on how the termination of the contract comes out"- What do you mean. I'm looking at the contract now and I don't see anything strange. There is this thing about never working for, being affiliated, blah blah blah with any other martial arts school for 3 years after completed training. However, that really doesn't sound unreasonable.

[coffeecat]

Hey Joesteph,

I agree with you! I'm not a Tiger mother. I don't want him to burn out and get sick of it. He can go whenever he wants. He also plays soccer so when soccer season starts it will conflict on certain days. The best part of this is it is right next door to his bro's work. He hangs out there anyway, so this will give him something more constructive to do instead of loitering .

[mindsedgeblade]

Hi all,

You scare me a little when you say "it all depends on how the termination of the contract comes out"- What do you mean. I'm looking at the contract now and I don't see anything strange. There is this thing about never working for, being affiliated, blah blah blah with any other martial arts school for 3 years after completed training. However, that really doesn't sound unreasonable.

That's a little strange. A no compete clause in a karate contract? How do they plan to enforce that?

[coffeecat]

The way the wording is, it seems like it is about *teaching*, not learning from another school. To me ,that sounds fair. You shouldn't go to a school and learn their stuff and then go open your own school right away. It seems betraying.

[bushido_man96]

You scare me a little when you say "it all depends on how the termination of the contract comes out"- What do you mean. I'm looking at the contract now and I don't see anything strange. There is this thing about never working for, being affiliated, blah blah blah with any other martial arts school for 3 years after completed training. However, that really doesn't sound unreasonable.

What I mean is, if you want to terminate the contract, what are the stipulations. Do you have to pay out for 3 years still? That kind of thing. And anyone who would try to control what I learn and who I learn it from would be conerning, as well. But if they refer to teaching, as opposed to learning, then that shouldn't be a problem for your young son.

[sensei8]

Isn't it just great on how contracts dictate everything concerning your who, what, where, when, why, and how you train in the martial arts?!

[sensei8]

Contracts are not bad, it's the people who administrate them that cause problems. Just be sure to read the rules thoroughly and remind the boys that a commitment should be kept not broken.

Keep us posted on their training!

That's my point. Those who administer any said contract have their lawyer(s) write up these contract in such a way so they get paid irregardless of anything...then all the school has to do is get them signed on the dotted line.

Contracts and the martial arts = Oxymoron = consistent discrepancies...imho.

[honoluludesktop]

One problem with long term contracts is that unless it states otherwise, you must pay even if you quit (teenagers often change their minds overnight, like when they get their first girlfriend). If you don't pay, you will have a collector on your heels and your credit will be affected. Another problem is that a contract can be sold to any third party. In addition, who is the contract with, a LLC? If they quit you will have no recourse to your money. What happens if they change instructors, move to another location, etc.

The non compete could cost you in small claims court.

Sometimes contracts are necessary, get the shortest terms you can, say 3 months, or negotiate to be able to quit any time without penalty.