Ok, maybe the title is a little harsh (maybe..) but in light of recent events I feel I have to write my thoughts down about this.
I went to a kickboxing class with my friend Kelly, who wanted a partner to go with, just to try it out, but then ended up really liking it. It made me feel good about myself, it was physically challenging but i liked that, because not a lof of other sports have made me feel like I've used every muscle in my body, and the tiredness afterwards was very rewarding.
Now, it seemed understandable to me that signing up for 6 months of lessons (2 a week, so 48 lessons) would be a good idea - gives me the incentive to go, and since I enjoyed it so much I was ready to pay for it. But the way my mind works led me to pay for it all upfront (you could pay on monthly/weekly installments but it worked out as nearly £150 more to do it that way) then it's sorted, no more money slowly streaming out of my account.
Great, all sorted and I can carry on happliy with this sport I really enjoy! The only thing I needed next was some kit, own gloves and pads because they have limited kit for sharing - and it's all sweaty anyway from everyone else using it! My boyfriend very kindly gave me his pads to use, and I just got some gloves myself so I saved some money! Since I paid for lots of lessons I don't have a lot of money to throw around, the lessons were my treat :)
Everything was going great, used my own kit in a couple of lessons, I really like my gloves because they fit my small hands properly! I am quite small so not a lot of stuff fits...
But then on Monday (21st Feb) one of the teachers comes up to me before the lesson starts and says "Sorry miss, but you cannot use your own kit, you have to buy ours." WHAT THE HELL?? There was no mention of this upon enrollment. There was no reminder of this the week I trained and had no kit - no friendly "Oh hi, so you know you need to buy our kit? Would you like to pay now etc?". Finally, there was no mention of this when I started using my own kit - nobody said anything to me!
So on Monday I was flabbergasted. Actually a little upset, because I did not want to spend any more money - especially after I can no longer return my gloves and get my money back! I didn't have time to say anything right at that moment because the lesson was starting, I could only mutter an angry "well, I can use my stuff for this lesson right?".
Very angry lesson followed, then I went and spoke to the teacher after. When I started talking to the Miss who mentioned it, the Miss who enrolled me came in as well. "Do you not remember our conversation?" NO BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T TELL ME! How can I remember something which you never said?? My friend Kelly was never told upon her enrollment! She had no idea this was the case, and felt really bad for me.
It wasn't written in the contract, so I am very angry.
When I was speaking to the teachers after I said "Is it a new rule?" "No, I told you." (liar) "Well why?" "It's just the rules. Want to sort it out now?" NO I don't have any money on me! I can't afford to shell out that much cash now! Not after I've paid for your frickin lessons!
AAAARRRGHH! The worst thing about it now is I do not want to go there tonight. I am worried that tehy are going to bully me about it - not that I will succumb to such shit, but I don't want that in my life. No adult shoudl ever be bullied by stupid salesmen. It makes their whole establishment look a shambles to me now. They are clearly more interested in making money.
My boyfriend who was also horrified (and angry) at this asked a few of his friends who either teach or go to various martial arts lessons to see if this "you have to buy our kit" rule is the same anywhere else - and it isn't. After a little reserach too I have found a few other people who have fallen out with the school, and cannot get out of the pay-per-month contracts they've had with them. Also there is evidence to show that the school is not really about the kickboxing, but more about making money, as the owner of the school (actually they have various branches of schools) has out out an ad for a new employee, whose skills must be based around sales and marketing! Not kickboxing skills! You don't have to have a certain degree of belt to be employed as a teacher! You must be able to sell sell sell, get people to pay blah blah.
I feel really sad now.... Partly because I've already paid for the lessons and now I no longer want to go. I don't want to be bullied into paying for stuff I already have that works fine! I bought it from a reputable martial arts shop in Manchester so I know it's good stuff. Partly feel bad because if I don;t go anymore my friend Kelly will be going to the classes on her own - well, with people she doesn't know as well.
I just feel so angry! I've been bullied a lot in the past, been duped into stuff I didn't really want to do, and I think it's actually bringing back some bad memories.... I feel awful, I no longer have an image of the people working there being nice people, just mean salesmen. I don't need this shit in my life.
Some of you may be thinking "why is she getting so worked up about this?" but as I previously pointed out there is no need to make me buy their gear except to make money. It's that point that takes away the fun of the sport, where's the honour? Where's the love of the sport?
I don't know really what point to end this on, but yeah, I'm annoyed.
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