Can't afford to continue martial arts

Avatar for manda28
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Can't afford to continue martial arts
6
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 12:17am

A while back I mentioned Tae Kwon Do and there ended up being a good discussion of it here. So the update is, Aaron has been in it since January, and likes it a lot. We signed him up at Martial Arts America, a 'chain' of sorts. We got him a Basics membership, and signed up for 6 months' worth ($600.) I pay it monthly to a finance company they do their billing with.

Aaron has made slow, steady progress. He is definitely not as coordinated as the others his age in the class. But, as the instructor said, he listens, works, and is moving forward. We have had no meltdowns or problems in class, he is just slow to get the beginner sparring drills they are starting.

His basics membership is just about over. We had a meeting at the school, and it turns out to go past basics you have to sign up for a 3 yr commitment for... get this... $3600! Once you've signed up, you have to pay that money, even if the child decides to quit. The only way to get out is if his doctor writes a note saying he can't participate. So, the $600 we've already paid applies to this. Also, if we pay cash there is a 20 percent discount. So we are looking at about $2400. .I am outraged. Nobody told me in the beginning it would be this way. Were were told it costs about $100 per month, but nothing mentioned about the obligation once you get past yellow belt. .They said they are very careful about who they ask to get the black belt membership. They say they have quite a few spectrum kids. One even got a black belt. Took him 6 years to do it, which once you pay the fee you can take as long as you want to get it.

This is stressing me out. Aaron just got an OT re-eval. His locomotion aspect of gross motor is still 25 months behind. Martial arts is the only thing that gets him off the couch. I have of course asked him what he wants to do. He wants to keep taking it. I asked if he likes it a lot or a little bit. He says he likes it a lot.

The only other Tae Kwon Do school is a 30 minute drive from here. And with gas prices being high... and having to drag my 2 yr old around for all we do... I don't think it would work. There is a Kung Fu school here in town, but you have to be 6 yrs old and he won't be until october 30. Not to mention, it is an entirely differnt martial art, and he would have to start from the beginning. I hate to do that to him. He is so proud of his yellow belt.

But, that money scares me. We have it, but it would be a big chunk. We are about to have air conditioner replaced. I also worry we will go ahead and spend that money, then some other major thing will happen, and we won't have the cash to deal with it.

Thoughts?

Amanda, mom to Aaron and Madeline

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 12:35am

Amanda,

Those chains are a major PIA. They are a money making scam, not about the kids at all, IME.

I think you should look into other options.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 12:38am

ya know, I don't like those contracts and not all martial arts places have them. We have gone through the young champions program which provides martials arts through our towns park and rec dept and is like $5-$6 a class. ($90ish for 11 weeks)

Check your towns parks and recreation program as well as local YMCA or Boys and Girls club. I would be you can find a better deal and one where you don't have a 3 year commitment to join. Many of the private martial arts places are like that but the ones through other public clubs are not and often the public ones are more accepting and willng to accomodate for special needs.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 12:39am

Dear Amanda,

I would sit the head of the school down and ask for special dispensation. I would plead lack of finances, and need to pay for other therapies and services as well. I actually have never heard of this, well, I mean I have heard of that being offered as a financial OPTION, but not as the only way you can achieve past a white belt. I think that is fairly shameful. This cuts out many children whose parents cannot come up with a lump sum, why be so discriminatory?

Might there be a way to actually sign contract and agree to pay but do it in installments? I guess what I am suggesting is that you ask for special privileges, because you WANT to do this but paying this way will be too stressful. I would give it a try.

I think if he is doing very well and likes Tae Kwondo that much, I would try hard to work it out for him to continue with current studio, but in a way that is OK with you and your finances. Is there a relative who might loan you the money up front and you could pay THEM back over next 3 years?

Just my thoughts. My son has his green-stripe-on-yellow belt, will be testing for his green stripe in Tae Kwondo soon, and he is really enjoying sparring now. Very fun to watch.

Sara
ilovemalcolm

Avatar for manda28
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 9:01am

I like the idea of keeping him in the same program because he is familiar with the other kids and instructors. I think the idea of sitting down with the owner of the school is a good one. At our appointment, normally the owner is there. But this time it was just the office person (who is also an instructor) because Master was in Korea. They also seem fine with special needs.

I guess I should have mentioned that the Rec Center program is run by the Kung Fu school where the kids have to be 6 yrs old. Otherwise it is a good deal. It is only $45 per month. But I am not too excited about starting Aaron over after he has worked so hard in Tae Kwon Do.

At this point, I am just hoping for something good to pop up, like dh gets some major overtime.

The borrowing money from a relative idea is not an option for us unfortunately.

Well thanks for the opinions everyone.

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2004
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 1:21pm

Where in the heck do you live? I need to move there and open a martial arts studio!

What about the YMCA? Do you have one? Also, my church (Baptist) has a martial arts program for a very minimal fee. Do you have anything like that?

Avatar for manda28
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 5:20pm

That would be great if you moved here and opened a school! There is no YMCA here, nothin'. I like to call where I live Nowhere, Texas. It's a city of about 20-something thousand people near the Gulf Coast. We're about an hour's drive from Houston.

What is really something is my childhood friend owns a school in Katy, Texas. I would not hesitate to hand my son over to him. Unfortunately, that is about 1.5 hours from where I live!

Amanda