Is this fair? I am paying full price at my gym and I hear that the girls and boy at my gym do not. Is this normal? I have been paying full price since the first day and dedicating my time and energy and I hear there are many others that are free. I dont think this is fair. Isnt there some type of business ethics against this. I can see if they cant afford it or are on a scholarship program. They are not paying. I know this because I spoke to some of the non paying parents who told me they would not be cheering for our gym if they were paying. They were told by the owners they dont have to pay. I guess they are trying to make our gym appear larger and more appealing to others so they allow more than half the children to cheer for free. I am so angry. What do I do? My daughter loves cheerleading but I dont think this is very fair. What would you do? What should I do?
If you have a problem with a gyms business practices then change gyms. Unless this is absolutely the only gym. I know in our area there are 2 gyms in my city and one about 30 minutes away. For personal reasons we make the drive.
Yes this is a normal practice to scholarship a few gifted athlete that add to your program. Is it financially fair to you, no, but life as they say is not always fair. In every area there are always kids who receive aid.
What is also normal is when this is done, the parent who are benefiting should have the common sense and courteousness to keep their mouths shut about it. How stupid of that parent to rub it in that you are helping pay for their child.
What is not normal is to do this for more than a small handful. If it is more than that then it is really unfair and unusual. A few should not be paying for the whole.
Cheer is a business you have the option of taking you dollar power to another gym if you wish.
-- Edited by POSITIVElycheer on Wednesday 28th of October 2009 07:42:01 AM
Thank you for the info. I think it is great to offer scholarship to those less fortunate. BUT I thought the majority was paying and now I understand that actually it is the minority that is paying the bills. I think I will choose another gym next year. This year it would not make sense for me to leave since I have already poured out so much money, time and effort. Unless another gym is going to give me a full scholarship (anyone?). They do have every right to charge one and not the other, I guess you can compare it to the flea market where you negotiate your rate. I am going to step up my negotiation skills. Now that we all know you can negotiate that is what we should all ask for then maybe these gyms will be more conisiderate of those of us who PAY the bills. If we all dont pay then they cannot continue with this type of practice. In the mean time I am stuck where I am. Until next year...
This is a common issue in cheer. This simple fact is that it occurs in the smallest of gyms and in the highest ranking programs in the industry; It always has and always will. There are many kids out there that eat, breathe and sleep cheer. These kids work hard and sometimes really don't have the means and sometimes even parents who care enough to allow them to participate. These are the kids that you want at your gym and everyone know the type of kids I'm talking about lol. The "gym-rats" that don't go home. The kids that want to spend every waking moment there working and working and then working a bit more. This is what makes a program amazing. I think that owners who do provide some sort of aid/scholarships are not only smart but extremely generous. As for the kids, I feel that nothing should be for free. These kids should be able to give back to the program by helping with fundraisers and things of the sort. Some sort of trade-off should be worked out.
In the end, its not the kids fault but as others have said, for a parent to be running around bragging that they don't pay is absolutely ridiculous and should be brought to the attention of the coaches. In a perfect world kids with double fulls and standing fulls will have money too!! One can only wish.
I understand why you are upset and you have every right to feel the way you feel, but I wouldn't be too bothered, you are truly blessed enough to be able to provide for you children and as for the parents with the loud mouths and ugly attitudes, i promise they will be hopping gyms soon. On to bigger and better offers. Those are the people you want gone anyways. I've been around for years, it's only a matter of time. Hope this helps and good luck this season.
I feel you because I am in the same situation but in our gym there are a lot of kids who are getting free tuition, comp fees and etc....and they live in big homes and ride/drive in nice cars and wear name brand clothes. My child is very skilled as well but I pay for EVERYTHING no freebies whatsoever and at our gym we have to fundraise and if we don't then we have to pay extra money "to help out with extra expenses" and I would leave but there is no other choice there's only one gym in our area (and the coaches are great) and the closest gym would be about an hour and forty five minutes away and its not a flat drive so snow in the winter would be a problem. If I stay next year I will be negotiating as well so I wish you luck and I hope things change.
JMO....IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT DON'T CHEER!!!
-- Edited by Sunshine State on Thursday 29th of October 2009 05:27:28 AM
This type of stuff happens all the time. It happens in society all the time. Some type of scholarship is offered at schools all a crossed the US. Think about it. It could be a free morning meal to out-of-state college/university tuition rates reduced for those that may be from out of state. It's all a marketing effort to make the campus more appealing to interested students.
Do you get upset when you go to the grocery store, standing in the checkout line, and the person in front of you is allowed to use food stamps, is a part of the WIC program, of is even using a discount coupon while you are not receiving a discount at all? I don't think you even think twice about it. It's just the way we are conditioned to view our economic structure.
It is quite unfortunate it that the parent was out there discussing the scholarship that was offered to them. I do agree is a cheer parent is receiving this type of gift then that parent should be the first in line to volunteer for anything related to the gym. That person should be the one to help carpool kids to a competition. That person should be the one that you see cleaning the gym. That person should be involved in any fundraiser offered to the teams. Something. It's only right.
It is an all too common situation. We have some scholarship kids at our gym, but those moms work their tail off for the owners: sewing costumes, cleaning the place, running around etc. But then there are those "special" kids who get to play for free. What can you do -- who knows what their specific reasons are -- but you just have to take the high road and hope that some day those people or kids will pay it forward somehow.
I feel you because I am in the same situation but in our gym there are a lot of kids who are getting free tuition, comp fees and etc....and they live in big homes and ride/drive in nice cars and wear name brand clothes. My child is very skilled as well but I pay for EVERYTHING no freebies whatsoever and at our gym we have to fundraise and if we don't then we have to pay extra money "to help out with extra expenses" and I would leave but there is no other choice there's only one gym in our area (and the coaches are great) and the closest gym would be about an hour and forty five minutes away and its not a flat drive so snow in the winter would be a problem. If I stay next year I will be negotiating as well so I wish you luck and I hope things change.
JMO....IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT DON'T CHEER!!!
-- Edited by Sunshine State on Thursday 29th of October 2009 05:27:28 AM
Exactly my point. I am not talking about kids with a financial need. I dont have lunch money at work and I have been late on my rent . I am angry that I see other people doing better than us financially getting a free season simply because the gym wants the numbers to look good so they can pretend we are bigger and better. These kids that are free are at the same level of my child and some are even lower. I am even more angry to hear these moms say they would not be at this gym if it was not free. They dont even take this gym serious it is free fun for thier kids. I can see why they need to make the gym look bigger but it is hurting us all.
It is not just the moms talking it is the kids do too and it hurts my daughters feelings. She thinks she is NOT wanted as much as the others. She feels like they like the other kids more. I am glad to vent and hear others feel this way. I have a choice to stay or leave but my daughter loves it so much and she might not do so well with the more advanced gyms. I do think if maybe I leave that is one month less rent they get from me.
Should I send a letter to the Gym owner. Do you think she will say none of your business or show understanding? what should I expect? or Do?
I feel you because I am in the same situation but in our gym there are a lot of kids who are getting free tuition, comp fees and etc....and they live in big homes and ride/drive in nice cars and wear name brand clothes. My child is very skilled as well but I pay for EVERYTHING no freebies whatsoever and at our gym we have to fundraise and if we don't then we have to pay extra money "to help out with extra expenses" and I would leave but there is no other choice there's only one gym in our area (and the coaches are great) and the closest gym would be about an hour and forty five minutes away and its not a flat drive so snow in the winter would be a problem. If I stay next year I will be negotiating as well so I wish you luck and I hope things change.
JMO....IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT DON'T CHEER!!!
-- Edited by Sunshine State on Thursday 29th of October 2009 05:27:28 AM
Exactly my point. I am not talking about kids with a financial need. I dont have lunch money at work and I have been late on my rent . I am angry that I see other people doing better than us financially getting a free season simply because the gym wants the numbers to look good so they can pretend we are bigger and better. These kids that are free are at the same level of my child and some are even lower. I am even more angry to hear these moms say they would not be at this gym if it was not free. They dont even take this gym serious it is free fun for thier kids. I can see why they need to make the gym look bigger but it is hurting us all.
It is not just the moms talking it is the kids do too and it hurts my daughters feelings. She thinks she is NOT wanted as much as the others. She feels like they like the other kids more. I am glad to vent and hear others feel this way. I have a choice to stay or leave but my daughter loves it so much and she might not do so well with the more advanced gyms. I do think if maybe I leave that is one month less rent they get from me.
Should I send a letter to the Gym owner. Do you think she will say none of your business or show understanding? what should I expect? or Do?
I think if you do end up going to the owner by yourself then you might get shot down. If you know others in your gym who feel the same way you do then you might have a better chance going in as a group because of course she will see it as more money loss in her pocket if things don't change. Can you imagine if everyone got free cheer there would be no cheer and what if every child who don't have skills and pays left their gym, there would be no gym. My child has better skills than some of the kids on our Sr. 5 team and I pay for everything but I feel everyone should pay why should my child get treated different than a child with little or no skills and if scholarships are given out because of skills then my kid is in the wrong sport or gym. It's too bad a lot more parents/people don't feel the same way we do and maybe if there was more parents like us then a lot more gyms would be in business. Well whatever you decide to do make sure it doesn't make things worse on you or your daughter but I do hope what you decide to do helps you and I hope your daughter starts to feel more appreciated. GOOD LUCK.
This season we at cheergyms.com chose not to let anyone cheer for free or at a discounted rate. Mainly because when we have in the past it always came back to bite us. As soon as those families found a better deal they were off to the next gym. By not holding them financially responsible we were actually creating un-loyal individuals. Its the old "Can't win for trying", "No good deed goes unpunished" scenario.
Just to give you all some insight from an owner...this is what most of us are thinking when we scholarship ultra talented athletes.
1) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they won't be cheering against us.
2) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will strengthen our program.
3) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will make the team stronger and more successful for our loyal paying customers and make the money they're paying more worth it to them.
4) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will strengthen our program amd make it more attractive to other Lev 5 athletes in the coming year.
5) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will help us do will on the National stage and get our gym more recognition. After all most of us owners have egos and want to be competitive.
It's not that we want to be "unfair." I think we're just trying to make everyone happy including ourselves.
If a gym scholarships athletes for skill alone and this bothers you then that gym simply isn't right for you. Put it on your list of questions you should be asking before you join a gym.
This is our 14th All Star season and we've finally come to the conclusion that this practice ultimately hurts our business and our hearts. I can't say we'll never help a family out again but I do know that we will never let anyone ever have anything for FREE again.
When your price drops below the quality of your product the appreciation of your product drops too.
-- Edited by Danny on Sunday 1st of November 2009 09:47:42 AM
__________________
Danny Kahn Cheergyms.com
"If you're injured don't play. If you play don't tell me you're injured." ~ Don Shula
This season we at cheergyms.com chose not to let anyone cheer for free or at a discounted rate. Mainly because when we have in the past it always came back to bite us. As soon as those families found a better deal they were off to the next gym. By not holding them financially responsible we were actually creating un-loyal individuals. Its the old "Can't win for trying", "No good deed goes unpunished" scenario.
Just to give you all some insight from an owner...this is what most of us are thinking when we scholarship ultra talented athletes.
1) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they won't be cheering against us.
2) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will strengthen our program.
3) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will make the team stronger and more successful for our loyal paying customers and make the money they're paying more worth it to them.
4) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will strengthen our program amd make it more attractive to other Lev 5 athletes in the coming year.
5) If we get this Lev 5 athlete in our gym they will help us do will on the National stage and get our gym more recognition. After all most of us owners have egos and want to be competitive.
It's not that we want to be "unfair." I think we're just trying to make everyone happy including ourselves.
If a gym scholarships athletes for skill alone and this bothers you then that gym simply isn't right for you. Put it on your list of questions you should be asking before you join a gym.
This is our 14th All Star season and we've finally come to the conclusion that this practice ultimately hurts our business and our hearts. I can't say we'll never help a family out again but I do know that we will never let anyone ever have anything for FREE again.
When your price drops below the quality of your product the appreciation of your product drops too.
-- Edited by Danny on Sunday 1st of November 2009 09:47:42 AM
BRAVO DANNY, As a parent who pays on time and for every single thing for my daughter to participate in cheer. It is nice to know and to read such an influential gym taking a stand. It bothers the heck out of me to listen to parents brag about how they haven't paid and their kid still got their uniform and is still in the routine. EVEN though threats of emails go out. IT NEVER REALLY HAPPENS. But also as a parent, I know it is not my place to say anything other than to the owner if I have a serious problem with it. I just mind my own business. But owners do need to know, that they have moms who brag or share stories of how they don't have to pay or haven't and basically think the owners are blowing smoke... They tell that one person and then it just spreads through the gym. Their kids also talk about it. You do see talented kids jumping from one gym to another and those are usually the ones who receive a huge discount or free tution. When you invest in something, you take pride in it and you are loyal to it! My opinion ONLY of course. I have always respected your program for many reasons, one for the integerity your gym has. Even if something was perceived wrong during the season, you always go back and look at it, evaluate it and make the changes if necessary.
GREAT JOB.
-- Edited by Simply a cheermom on Sunday 1st of November 2009 10:16:25 AM
I rarely post on these boards, but I wanted to commend Danny. As a loyal paying parent, I can understand why gyms choose to scholarship talented kids who cannot afford cheer. With this being said, in the four years my girls have been involved in cheer with two different well known and respected cheer gyms, I have seen this and have accepted it as common practice. What I have found to be disheartening is that, at times, there are non paying parents who gladly accept the charity, but never participate in any fundraising. To me, this sends the message that they are entitled and do not need to fundraise. I just wish that there would be gratitude from these families. Please understand I have seen a few that do participate in fundraising, but the majority don't.
POWER will be offering 2 types of discounts to families next year.However unlike other gyms we are going to be very transparent in doing so.
Skill Discount - This program will be open to all individuals, and is geared towards level 5 athletes.We at POWER realize that parents have invested large amounts of money over the years to help their child reach the advanced levels of cheer, and it is time for them to benefit from their investment.There will be FOUR levels of discounts offered, FREE, 75 percent off, 50 percent off, and 25 percent off.These discounts will be good for monthly tuition ONLY.Members will still be required to pay for choreography, music, travel, coaches travel, and uniform.
Financial Need Discount - We will be offering several scholarships to families that have financial struggles.These scholarships will range from hotel night stays at travel competitions, to part of their monthly tuition paid for.Applications and requirements will be posted the beginning of 2010 and will be decided upon prior to tryouts in April 2010.
I will not do any other negotiating with athletes and their families to come to POWER, you come-you come you don't-oh well.
