How much should instruction cost?

[GrrrArg]

Im a sempai (asst.instructor) so I only pay for 1 out of 3 classes per week.

 

Thats all I have to say.

 

I just wanted to brag.

 

Seriously though:

 

£5 per class for one person

 

£4 per class for two people training together

 

£3 per class for three or more people training together

[Sens55]

That's a loaded question. Seriously, I've had graduate level economics classes that could argue about this for days! There are many factors that determine the market rate. As most have pointed out, quality isn't always an indicator, but it might be. Obviously someone in wealthier area might charge more than inner city instruction for a variety of reasons, even it were the exact same school. More affluent areas will have higher overhead (rent, insurance & utilities) but it will also try to market itself to those that can afford those higher fees. Different parts of the country have different costs of living (compare rent in NY city to Des Moines, IA for example). Usually, though, incomes are comparably higher in those areas to compensate for the higher costs. As such, fees will vary, but a $30/month fee in one area may actually have the same economic impact on you as a $100/month fee might to someone in another area. (I live in a nicer part of KC, and fees range between $60/month to $100/month). However, the median income (and rent) in our part of town is significantly higher than the national averages, so it stands to reason this might be a little higher than the same instruction in another part of town.

 

So, what it really boils down to is...how much are you willing to pay for quality MA instruction? That's what it will cost. You'll find something that fits in that range. If you value it more, you may pay more. If you think it's trivial, you won't pay much. I make my living in sales, and I like to say to prospects that it's NEVER about the money. If it were, we'd all drive Fiestas, Yugos or Geo Metros (or Vespas!). But most of us don't. The reason is, we are willing to pay more to obtain value that we believe is relevant. That additional value carries additional cost. However, you will reach a level where you no longer see the value being worth the additional cost (i.e. the leather upholstery isn't worth $1500 to you) so you reach your equalibrium between the cost and the value.

 

You may never have given it that much conscious decision, but that's usually the way it works. As an example, many people will say that they can't afford something they want. But if you ask them if the item they want were ABSOLUTELY vital to their (or their family's survival) could they afford it, and in most (but not all) instances they will say "Yeah, if it were really that vital." So, at that point you've proven that they CAN really afford it, they're just not willing to sacrifice other aspects of their life for it. Same here. If MA is vital to you and your identity, you'll find a way to make it work at any cost.

 

Sorry, a little bit of an Econ and a Sales class there.

[TKD Chosen One]

I pay around $40 a month for 3 classes a week. My master is going to start advanced classes 2 days a week, and he said i can still come to all 5 classes for the same price. Sometime you get lucky and find an great instructor who's just starting out and doesn't charge a lot.

[ninjanurse]

The question is not how much it costs but rather what it's worth to you in the end.

 

[Darce]

It´s around 80 euro for half a year.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

As others have stated, more money for classes doesn't always mean better. Commercial dojo's will charge more because they have more overhead, whereas YMCA's and "garage karate" (that's where I'm at) can charge less because we have lower overhead.

 

Personally, I've charged as little as nothing (but nobody comes when you don't charge anything), to what I charge now..which is $40/month for two, 2 hour classes/week. That's $5/hour, which I think isn't unfair considering it is a small, personalized class environment taught out of my home.

[delta1]

Personally, I've charged as little as nothing (but nobody comes when you don't charge anything),

 

As crazy as it sounds, that is the truth. I started out in a 'class' that charged nothing. In three years, we went through dozens of prospective students. I was the only one that lasted more than a couple of months. I've seen this in other disciplines also. For example, I've seen people pay large ammounts of money for first aid training that was dangerously inept when they could have had much better training from any of a half dozen excellent certified volunteers. I guess the perception is that you get what you pay for. But people don't consider that some do what they do for the love of doing it. Also, many volunteers believe so much in what they are doing that they set a higher standard than the guy trying to keep ahead of his overhead.

 

I have nothing against paying for classes. The good workman is worth his hire. But don't overlook the little guy in his garage, whether paid or not. There are some good, dedicated martial artists out there either training or supplimenting their training in shops, barns, yards and fields.

 

END RANT

[ninjanurse]

Also keep in mind that sometimes people take for granted things they get for free.

 

[delta1]

Also keep in mind that sometimes people take for granted things they get for free.

 

Ma'm, you sure said a lot in just a few words!

[Odysseus]

Also keep in mind that sometimes people take for granted things they get for free.

 

 

That's very true!

 

Additionally, people like to get value for their money. If they are paying for something, they are more likely to take it seriously, otherwise they are wasting their money. Having to pay for classes instills a responsibility to attend.