$ and cheer

Date: Wed Jan 11 8:08 PM, 2006

RE: $ and cheer

Date: Wed Jan 11 9:13 PM, 2006

wow wrote:

The approach VCM and yourself, "sorry", thinks they should have taken is to tell all of us "yeah, it's expensive, so what, it's a business, and never mind how we spend it". Well, they have a little more class than that.

no theyre saying that cheer IS expesnsive. and it IS a business. and they do care how they spend their money. and they havent siad anything to show they dont have class! but i think YOU need to get a little bit more inteligent then that.
peace out girl scout!

Date: Wed Jan 11 9:52 PM, 2006

... is a terrible thing to waste. I suggest the last two folks who posted spend a little more time on academics and less time on message boards. And read through each post before replying, obviously you're just not getting the points that are being made by others.

Date: Wed Jan 11 11:27 PM, 2006

Well this subject certainly went downhill fast. Too bad too, it was interesting for a while there! Thanks for all those who posted valuable information, it was very helpful.

Date: Thu Jan 12 7:35 AM, 2006

I think it went downhill because people use passisve aggressive phrases in their responses and its negative to other programs. The more I think about the topic, the more I think its unfair to compare power and cheergyms.com programs to many of the other smaller gyms. Many gyms in Nor Cal are only 1-4 years old. Thats not very long at all. Some people are still trying to get their foot in the door and come up with a system that fits there particular area. I think its good to support every gym and really check out if your kid enjoys the coaches, kids and competitions. Yes it alot of money but most gyms have fundraisers you can participate in. Also most teams up here don't change uniforms very often so you save money right there. Sometimes you have to ask the right questions , because you can get the wrong answers. Alot of money to some people is not alot to others who are looking at investing into their child. Next time you complain about all star cheer look at dance and competitive gymnastics. Then you will be thankful you are only doing cheer.

Date: Thu Jan 12 7:40 AM, 2006

Expensive Comps wrote:

I agree that cheerleading is expensive! The way I have to look at it is, my daughter is getting tumbling, dance, and acro all in one. If she paid that amount just for dance (for example) I don't think I could justify it. But she gets so much more.

But what I do think is getting out of control are the competition fees. $75, $90 per person is just outrageous. Also, I'm not too thrilled with Jamz, who on top of comp fees, charge $15 per spectator at regionals, which does not even include an up-to-date schedule (and printing it out on the computer before leaving doesn't work because it's usually out-of-date). What's really sad is to pay an outrageous amount per cheerleader, and then end up not going against anyone (which will happen more often if these competitions keep charging outrageous fees). Just venting.

I completely agree. Jamz is out of control, along with other companies. $15.00 to get in and parking fees are outrageous. I understand overhead costs and profits, but they don't give you anything but a chair to watch your child. I mean seriously. The companies say its cause you get 2 days of competitions, the venue or some other answer, but the cheer events are just more "fluff" now and they charge a huge amount. I think this causes a huge turnover in cheerleading as well.

Date: Thu Jan 12 9:17 AM, 2006

I agree that some of the competition companies are charging way too much to get into these competitions. It makes it almost impossible to envite family or friends to come watch a 2.5 minute routine for $15 plus parking and food. I stopped asking people to come because it was just too expensive for getting so little.

I now just have friends and family go to one of the rally's that our gym puts on before a competition. It's free, doesn't take a lot of time, and it is up close and personal.

Date: Thu Jan 12 10:15 AM, 2006

I completely agree about the outrageous comp fees -- and it's so sad that we can't invite friends and family because it's just too expensive. I think Jamfest had the right idea, although I don't know if they'll do it again next year (I hope so)! They charged NOTHING for spectators. So we were able to (finally) invite as many relatives as we wanted. Don't these businesses make enough with the fee they charge per cheerleader?? And since when are REGIONALS almost as expensive to get in as NATIONALS? How and why did that happen.

And don't even get me started about those who don't allow videotaping, leaving you no choice but to buy theirs!

Date: Thu Jan 12 10:30 AM, 2006

Oh! Those videos! Yikes! You're right, don't get us started on that. Oh, but wait, I am going to get started on that.

I appreciate GSSA. You can get the whole competition DVD for approx $25. Now I'm willing to pay for that. I like to see my daughters team plus the competition. And it is fun to see the whole days competition again. It helps to get a good perspective on why someone won or lost.

But most companies charge approx $50 and you only get one or two divisions, not the whole competition. NOT WORTH IT!

Date: Thu Jan 12 12:36 PM, 2006

$25's not bad at all, but free is better, and I can tape the whole competition if I want to, OR just what I'm interested in (our teams, other teams, awards). If GSSA allowed videotaping as well, good for them.

Date: Thu Jan 12 1:58 PM, 2006

I've learned over the years that I miss out on so much when I try and video tape. I'd rather get a better quality and enjoy the day by watching instead of worrying about video taping or the quality. But GSSA is the only one I know that has what I consider reasonable prices for videos. And I don't remember if they allow video taping.

Just as a note, I think most companies don't allow video taping because they have contracted a company to come in and do the taping for free and the only way they can make money is to sell the videos. These companies usually require the competition company to sign a contract to that effect. But, if the video company priced their DVDs more reasonable they would probably sell more.

Date: Fri Jan 13 12:27 AM, 2006

I think if a competition wants to hire a company to tape for free, that's fine. But they should NOT prohibit parents and relatives from taping their children performing, if they choose to do so. It should be a choice by us, not by them. They shouldn't be assuming we would rather pay money and buy their DVD's than tape it ourselves (who needs the other stuff on there if you don't want it, you know)? For folks who don't want to videotape and want to sit back and enjoy the competition, it's nice they do offer that. But don't force us to buy them, that's my point.

Also who wants to wait weeks afterwards to see their two minute performance? I like to see it as soon as I get home.

Just my opinion.

Date: Tue Jan 17 7:55 AM, 2006

USA regional competitions has a company that tapes the competitions and sells thems for only 25 bucks. You get DVD right there at the competition. I don't really care either way if you can tape or not since the video tapes you can buy are better quality then someone's parent who always focuses on their daughter LOL. Mr. Video or whoever is there sits right in the middle and films.

Date: Tue Jan 17 2:40 PM, 2006

Well, between the fees to go to the comp, the money to get in, the money to feed everyone there , we have to pay for the 2 minute routine? That's a bit out of line. But then again, my video wouldn't be as good cause Im not sitting in front, blocking everyone's view of the competition like the photographer and videographer usually is.....

and by the way, it costs nothing to make a copy and less than a dollar for the CD.... 25 bucks is ridiculous. I will take the video for all of you and charge a fraction of that. ok??? all u need is a tripod and just tape away.....

hehehehehehehehehe

Date: Tue Jan 17 2:53 PM, 2006

I agree with Yea; the point is this (which was already made): if you want a higher quality tape and want to spend $$$, and wait WEEKS for it, that's a-okay. However, the choice should NOT be "either you buy ours or you get nothing". Right? How can anyone disagree with that, really.

So what if mine doesn't come out that great, and I usually tape the entire team because if I just focus on my daughter I miss the routine. I'm always very happy with my taping, and I always tape just what I want (so I don't have all the extra stuff I don't care about). And like yea said, it costs nothing but a blank DVD that's under a dollar. Sounds like a deal to me.

Date: Tue Jan 17 2:57 PM, 2006

Cheerleading fan, $25 bucks may be more reasonable than other prices, but it is still expensive. Are you sure you can get them right there at the competition? I think you mean you can put your order in, but you certainly won't get them for quite a while (usually at least six weeks). Geez, by then your season is almost over, huh?

Date: Wed Jan 18 11:09 AM, 2006

yea wrote:

Well, between the fees to go to the comp, the money to get in, the money to feed everyone there , we have to pay for the 2 minute routine? That's a bit out of line. But then again, my video wouldn't be as good cause Im not sitting in front, blocking everyone's view of the competition like the photographer and videographer usually is.....

and by the way, it costs nothing to make a copy and less than a dollar for the CD.... 25 bucks is ridiculous. I will take the video for all of you and charge a fraction of that. ok??? all u need is a tripod and just tape away.....

hehehehehehehehehe

There is something called Profit and people have to live. They also have to pay for the service, equipment, supplies, and the employees. Yes the product itself might be cheap to make but there is alot more that goes into it. Other than a few venues, you can bring your own food. Also with the multiple award ceremonies at competitions, you are allowed to leave within 3 hours usually.

Date: Wed Jan 18 11:10 AM, 2006

Hmmmm, yes I am sure because I have already bought 2 USA DVD's and got them the same day.

Date: Wed Jan 18 2:44 PM, 2006

Yea, but most don't go to USA comps (to be honest). I'm still surprised they are able to give out copies of DVD's the same day of the performance. Do they mass produce them right there on the spot? And no editing I guess. Jamz takes weeks, and after Nationals, the season really is over by the time you receive them. I don't know about GSSA, but I would guess it is weeks (does anyone know)?

They can make all the money they want, but let us parents, who just want to show grandma and grandpa Susie's routine, tape it. From what I've seen at competitions, I think most feel the same way (lots of camcorders there).

Date: Wed Jan 18 5:03 PM, 2006

My daughter figureskated for approx 8 years. At each comp there was a company taping each skater. You would leave your tape all cued up and with a form stating who you wanted taped division etc. and they would mail the tape to you within a week. If you wanted you could just have them put it on a blank tape and mail it to you. That way you only had the person you wanted on it. It usually cost about 10 bucks if you provided the tape. Why can't cheer do this?