Need re-assurance that its time to look elsewhere...

[Plushdancer]

Hi all! I've really enjoyed lurking on this site for the past few months

I'm new to dance - began lessons in August at a local chain studio in the American South (not nationwide). I'm in my mid-30's and have no intention of becoming a pro, or even looking like one - my focus is on losing weight, gaining fitness and grace and having fun!

I've loved every minute of my time at this studio - the teachers are great, the parties are fun and I love learning from my pro! I've gotten my feet quite wet with a showcase routine and at my first comp all in the first six months of dancing.

But the money pressure has really gotten to me - I'm just about broke and though I want to continue, I can't imagine that this is the right way to do it. So far, this club has squeezed the following out of me since August 2008 (granted I obviously have SUCKER tattooed on my forehead, so I know I'm just as culpable as they are for my situation):

Beginning Social Dance Lessons - $2400
Preliminary Bronze - $6500 (30 private, 30 group)
Showcase Routine (25 lessons, choreography) - $5000
Chain's Local Competition (pro/am) - $1400

Next up - Intermediate Bronze (60 private, 20 group) - $9000 - EEEEK! They've offered a very short-term "payment plan" but from what I learned from previous "plans" my pro will continually hound me to hurry up and pay it off. When I told them I just can't afford it regardless, they grudgingly backed off - and then two days later tried to sell me a spring show routine for $5000.

So I came up with a plan to SAVE up the money for the intermediates and naively told my pro about my plan and he immediately started trying to convince me to pay up front again. Last week he told me we can't schedule my remaining preliminary bronze privates until I pay off the current payment plan that THEY offered me - even though he has been the one pushing me to burn through my lessons.

I took a two week break because I was so upset about the money pressure and went back for the first time tonight for the Friday night party but left early. It broke my heart to watch my pro dance steps with other students that I can't afford to let him teach me. And the final straw tonight was when I found out that he told another of his students - a 70 year old single retired schoolteacher - to sell some of her jewelry to pay for more silver level lessons.

What have I gotten myself wrapped up in???? I just want out. I have a very stressful job and all of this money stuff is straining my marriage and I just can't take this nonsense - its sucking all the fun out of dancing in the first place.

So I want to continue dancing - but I don't want to be taken advantage of. Am I dreaming or can this really be done in some better, more reasonable, more ethical way?

Alison

[emeralddancer]

Are there other studios in your area to look into that are not chain studios?

Find an independent studio and an independent instructor.

Dear lord ballroom can be expensive but my goodness ......that is WAY over the top!

Others will be along shortly to have better advise and much more wisdom!

Good luck!

[Warren J. Dew]

Originally Posted by Plushdancer

Last week he told me we can't schedule my remaining preliminary bronze privates until I pay off the current payment plan that THEY offered me - even though he has been the one pushing me to burn through my lessons.

This part is really bogus.

I would say a couple of things:

(1) Cut back to a number of lessons per week that you can afford in the long term. For a lot of people, this is one a week.

(2) It will be tough, but you may need to find another studio. Go to social dances unrelated to your studio, talk to people, find out what your choices are, and check them out.

[Plushdancer]

Thanks for the replies - just hearing from others helps. Yes, I do think I have other options - I've taken my two week break to do a lot of research online and there are local independent studios and I feel like there are better options out there for me.

I simply didn't know any better at first. I fell for the routine of this studio hook, line and sinker and its a hard pill to swallow. I keep hearing my pro in my head "You get what you pay for", etc. I just need normal dancers to tell me he's full of it - at least when it comes to this studios prices.

Oh - and I tried to ask for the one lesson a week thing - you should have seen the look on my pro's face - you would have thought I told him I stomped on puppies in my spare time. I also apparently signed a "non-compete" contract with them that says I can't fraternize with other studios. Good grief - I'm starting to sound like I sold my soul!!!

[cornutt]

I think I know that teacher.

The short answer is: Yes, they are putting way too much pressure on you. Unless your goal is to be a Championship-level dancer in a year, there's no reason in the world to be going through lessons that fast. Further, you're probably having steps and syllabi and such thrown at you so fast that you don't have time to assimilate what you've learned. If you keep going down that path, you'll wind up being one of those dancers who knows a bunch of steps, but can't dance any of them very well.

I don't think that beginners, unless they have hours and hours each and every day for practice, benefit from more than one private and 1-2 group lessons a week. If you are in the U.S. South (as I am), that should not be running you more than $100 a week.

And a word about business practices: The fact that they are hinting about not honoring the remainder of your existing package unless you sign up for more -- that's a very bad sign. It's an indication that they've already spent the money you paid them for that package, and now they need another infusion of cash just to live up to their existing obligations. Then, as soon as they have that cash, they'll spend it on something else, etc. It's the dance world's equivalent of a pyramid scheme. I dance at a very reputable studio in the town where I live, and they will not sell a package of more than 6 lessons, just to make absolutely sure that doesn't happen.

Send me a PM if you want to discuss it further.

[cornutt]

Originally Posted by Plushdancer

I also apparently signed a "non-compete" contract with them that says I can't fraternize with other studios.

You aren't in instructor training, are you? A non-compete clause is something that instructor trainees have to sign. I've never heard of any studios requiring ordinary customers to agree to such a thing. And it's not enforceable. Blow it off.

[skipper]

A very wise coach once said to me, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". I have not always been ready to move on. I have never been happy about it--but it has always worked to my benefit.

Go and have ONE lesson with two or three different instructors in different studios. As for a lesson in __________ (the same dance). This way you will get an idea of which teacher communicates best for your style of learning. Compare apples to apples!

[fascination]

run away as fast as you can..even if you lose money, you will save it in the long run...there are excellent studios that do not operate this way...RUN

[dancepro]

I agree with skipper. I am sure you can find somebody that will be perfect for you. I also have to agree with fascination, I think this is a time to run and run fast.

Dancepro

[Me]

WOW. That is terrible. I am very sorry that you were taken so badly.


Below I have quoted the FTC Guidelines in regard to dance studios. I think reading them will help you:


Facts for Consumers from the Federal Trade Commission

Dance Studios -- November 1992




Although dance lessons may offer opportunities for fun, entertainment, and companionship, they also may be more expensive than planned, especially if you do not know how to protect yourself against some dance studio sales practices. For example, beware of:

• Signing long-term contracts and prepaying thousands of dollars for dance lessons or clubs that you may be unable to complete or cancel;
• Signing additional contracts before the current one expires;
• Making large prepayments to studios that may be unable to give refunds should they suddenly close or go bankrupt.

In an effort to make consumers aware of certain sales practices used by some dance studios, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has prepared this brochure. It also suggests ways in which you can protect yourself.

Sales Techniques:
If you are thinking about or are already taking dance lessons, you should understand the sales techniques that some dance studios may use to persuade you to take lessons, or to take additional lessons.
Relay Salesmanship: Some studio instructors use the technique of relay salesmanship (consecutive sales talks by more than one representative in a single day) to try to persuade students to buy lessons or buy more lessons. This tactic may put you under heavy pressure to sign a contract, encouraging you to buy lessons you may later realize you do not want or cannot afford.
Overlapping Contracts: Some studio instructors try to convince their students during lesson time to sign additional contracts before completing the current lessons. In some instances, you may unwittingly be buying additional lessons that extend beyond your interest, your physical fitness, or even your life expectancy.
High-pressure Sales: Some studio instructors, using high-pressure sales tactics, exploit student emotions or personal vulnerabilities to oversell lessons. Sometimes, when students refuse to buy additional prepaid lessons, instructors will neglect them in classes, embarrass them in public, or transfer them to a less skilled instructor.

Precautions:
Awareness about the possible use of these sales techniques can help you avoid potential problems. In addition, you may avoid some potential problems if you comparison shop for dance lessons.

Finally, before signing or renewing a contract for dance lessons, consider taking the following measures.

Pay in advance for only a certain number of lessons to see if you like them. You may get a discount if you make a large prepayment on a long-term contract, but it will have little value if later you are unable to take the classes, you want to cancel them, or the studio closes before your lessons are completed. At this time, only a few states require studios to post bonds to protect consumers' prepayments.



Insist that the following items are clearly stated in writing:

• any oral promises;
• the cost per hour of private and group lessons;
• your cancellation and refund rights; (These are important in case you change your mind about lessons, move, or become ill.)
• any prepayment protections, if required by state law.

You can ask about these important items when you comparison shop.

Do not sign a contract immediately, especially if you have concerns about the stability of the studio or are asked to prepay a large amount of money for a lifetime membership, an exclusive club membership, or dance cruise offer. Take time to think about the matter and talk it over with a friend, a family member, or an attorney. Even if your contract offers you a refund or cancellation option, you may be unable to get your money back if the studio closes or its refund check bounces. Prepay only as much as you can afford to lose if the studio closes.

As an additional precaution, you might wish to contact your local or state consumer protection office to learn what rights you may have under local or state law with regard to maximum costs for contracts, cancellation and refund rights, studio bonding requirements, and a "cooling off" period, which may give you a few days to reconsider your decision after you sign your contract. Also, by contacting your local Better Business Bureau office, you may be able to learn if there are any current complaints registered against the dance studio you are considering.

Complaints: If you have a problem with a dance studio and cannot resolve it, send a letter describing your complaint to your local or state consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau. (Check your phone directory for addresses.) Also, send a copy of your letter to: Correspondence Branch, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. Although the FTC generally cannot intervene in individual disputes, the information you provide may indicate a pattern of possible law violations requiring action by the Commission.