Yeah, unfortunatly our gym had a lot of fall out this year do to some of the things you listed. How about "no hidden fees" yet tons of hidden fees - has anyone seen that one?

Anonymous wrote:

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Have you ever felt like you have been ripped off by your gym? Promised things that never came through, or put together teams that did not meet team level standards? Do not respond with team names just the team colors, let's keep this anonymous!!!

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Oh boy, I am sure that this website will be read by many people now.  I can't believe that the minute the Anonymous option is available these types of topics surface. You never know what you'll catch when you go bottom fishing.

This topic is so vague and broad that i will only comment about the gym i am connected with  (however, if i were to respond with my team colors that would certainly narrow the gap, now wouldn't it).

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First of all, there are no hidden costs at this gym.  This gym gives us a basic package to begin with AND the notification that they can't give the competition fees until the competition hosts set their prices.  Our gym also gives us the option to pay our fees throughout the entire season. 

They don't ask us to front all the cost of uniforms (at uniform fitting), make us pay for all the competition fees all at once, nor do they ask us to pay for all the extras up front.  they invoice us for everything and give us time to pay for the basic package and the "extras". 

they offer the "extras" as the season progresses and it is our option to purchase such items.  they do not force us to purchase these extras.  we have the option to say no.

if there is a reason that a parent can't pay their fees one month they are REALLY accomondating (probably more then they should be.) and they cut this parent a break and work out a payment plan with them.   I personally know this because they have done this for ME.


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the team thing is interesting.  i have to trust that our coaches are placing our cheerleaders on the correct team.  we don't have a huge populated gym.  so, it's probably really difficult to place everyone on an ideal team. 

Example one:  A cheerleader comes into our small gym. 

1.  (S)he is truly a level 2 cheerleader (she/he has a constant BHS no backtuck).
 
2.  (s)he is too old for the only level 2 team in the gym, the only available team for her/his (in her/his age category) is a level 3 team. 

Example two:  
1.  A cheerleader on the level 2 team has progressed in tumbling.   On a good day (s)he may land a few running tuck.   (s)he really needs to mature at this level and understand what her body is doing.

2.  (S)he is VERY young for the level 2 team and could be in this age category for several more year.

3.  (S)he is a strong main base for her age category and level 2.
 
3.  If this cheerleader were to move up, this person couldn't bases will anyone because she is not as tall as the other bases on the floor.

4.  IF (s)he were to move up to the next level the only option for this cheerleader would be to fly.   The cheerleader is quite fearful of flying and HATES it.   (Mom really thinks her daughter could be a great flyer).  


SO WHERE WOULD YOU PLACE THESE CHEERLEADERS?

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I think our coaches are doing the best job they can.   I wouldn't want their job for nothing.  WAY TO MUCH PARENT DRAMA FOR ME!  I will continue to sit back and just be a mom.

No - We've never had issues at our gym. All costs are up front and in writing, extras are extras! As far as teams go, it depends on the progression of the athletes. Intentions are great, but good coaches will realize limits and inabilites and make changes as needed for the betterment of the team.

I know a cheer program who takes monthly Electronic payments from your checking account for the monthly tuition and then turn around and expects a check or cash payment for a comp fees at the same time.  Most of us that belong to an Allstar Program knows that this is an expensive sport and it's the parent's choice to alllow our kids to participate.  But, we do have other things going on each month at home also, for instance, our mortgage payments. I'm now with a program who divides the whole season costs into one monthly payment, which make it so much easier to manage household finances, especially if your on a budget.

not much, just that they have said a few things that we would do (a day out as a gym, host an exhibition) that never happened. we pay a flat fee every month and thats it, except for comp fees. one of my only complaints is that they seem to care more about the higher level teams

I agree with that, it's rare for a coach to help members find a better match at other gyms!   We have the opposite problem, we have a team of mostly level 2's but the coach appears to be keeping it level 3 because of a handful who happen to have level 3 skills.   While that may please those level 3 athletes it could be a difficult and award-less season for the rest, and that doesn't seem fair at all.  But what can you do, it is the coach's call.

I think it all just comes down to a law of averages. When you're dealing with a large number of families (even in a small gym, 70+ families), you're just not going to make everyone happy all of the time. Someone will hate the uniform. Someone will hate the comp schedule...etc, etc. You make things work by trying to make *most* people happy, but you'll simply never get them all. We all try new things, too, from time to time, and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Gym owners are human just like you and I...I don't know a single one that sets out to do something just to "screw" someone.

I have to tell you when parents say they are paying all this money for cheerleading, its not all going to the gym. It goes to goods and services that are being provided to you. Tuition for instruction, uniform you keep, make up and bows you keep, shoes you keep, and traveling that goes towards the individual family. Its exspensive, but don't think that the majority of the money goes to coaches and gyms.

I understand you don't want to pay for other expenses for the coaches. But if this was your job would you take time off your normal day job to go to a competition and not get paid? If you didn't have the coaches who would warm up the kids and get them competition ready? Why should the coach be out money by taking off work, paying for airfare, food, hotel, and etc? Should they go work for free for your kid? Now paying for club gear, that's shouldn't be in the budget.