I've thought for a long time about how much is too much to charge for martial art classes.
What is the breaking point for someone to say, "I can't afford that, that is too much."?
How much does someone need to charge to keep their dojo open? Of course that would be decided by how much overhead a martial arts studio owner has and how much profit they want to make. Or if they are just looking to break even. (That would also need to be answered by the motive someone has to teach martial arts. Are you doing it to make a little bit of money?, are you doing it just to share your art? etc.)
To keep the math simple, if you want to bring in $1000.00 a month, is it easier to try and find 10 students to pay $100.00 a month, or is it easier to find 20 student to pay $50.00 a month?
I've heard rumors of places charging over $100.00 a month for martial art classes. Even worse I've heard of places charging that much as well as making you sign a yearly contract.
To me that seems like the breaking point. Buyer beware if you are going to pay that much and get locked into a contract. That also seems like you're taking the fun out of learning a martial art, now you've become a business partner almost.
"I pay the money, I get the black belt.", sort of a thing.
It is a fine line to walk for any martial arts studio owner, and it creates a messy area in the world of martial arts dojos.
Stay in business or go out of business. Pay for a fancy dojo or maintain a humble dojo. It is difficult.
Which led me to Yelp the other day, the website where you can leave customer reviews for all kinds of businesses. I was looking up restaurant reviews and decided for fun to look up some reviews on some martial art studios in my area. It was rather shocking, the rumors of the $100.00 a month or more karate classes with a contract were confirmed.
Mel S. - (7-12-14) Not at all worth the money. They make you sign a contract saying you'll pay a whole year and most of the teachers are incompetent and uncaring.
Cory D. - (7-19-18) My son really enjoys the karate lessons. The problem and frustrating part I had was I was told 99 per month and when signed up they charge a 10% finance charge. Over all not a huge deal but a $120 extra per year is not that little. They were not very upfront with it either.
R. M. - (6-11-15) First I will say that my child has learned a lot and has enjoyed his time here. But this place will nickel and dime you to death! First when you sign up it's almost $1200.00 dollars either up front or divided into monthly payments. I was okay with that. Then they want you to sign up for summer camps that are $150.00+ per camp! Then after about 3 months they want to evaluate your child and tell you how awesome they are and get them all excited about becoming a black belt. That's when they turn to the parents and say it will cost up to $6,000.00 and you have to sign a 4 years contract. I really did like this place a first, but they just keep finding new ways of taking your money. My kids could learn this stuff on youtube, and I could keep my organs instead of having to sale them off on the black market just so my kids can do karate. Would not recommend unless you are filthy rich looking to burn through some cash fast.
(more to come)
