Door to Door Karate Salesmen

Please folks DON'T GIVE THESE PEOPLE ANY MONEY!!! Please take time to read.

No reputable school will ever ask you for money before you've have taken your first class.
You should ALWAYS have the opportunity to take a proper trial of at least several lessons first and should NEVER commit to joining until you have.
Important questions to ask:

Before enrolling in any school, you should ask ask some important questions:

Will there be a contract to sign? Some school try and sign you up for 12, 24, or 36 monthly contracts like mobile phones however the only get out clause maybe in the first 3 months. If you stop after this period some will still make you pay the remainder of the contract.

Do they make you sign a direct debit so they have control?

Do they ask for 3 years fees up front? How do you know they will still be around this happened in Wales and the club closed with the loss of money to the students nad parents.

Do they have clear pricing when you ask for it?

Check to make sure the school does not keep upgrading students? This is where you normally start in a Basic class and then after a set period of time they then try to upgrade you to another progamme to enable you to get to black belt quicker. There is normally an increase of fees for this. After you upgrade they then try to upgrade you again to a leadership progamme and then an Instructors programme all with more costs. I have know the instructor programme to cost £10,000 it is no where near this figure £50-£150 should be the most.

What qualifications do the instructors hold?

How long have they personally been training?
 
What is their current martial arts rank?
They should have at least a properly recognised black belt with a recognised organisation, which you can verify independantly. (It takes an average student at lease 3-4 years to reach black belt) (Note some martial arts instructors create thier own style and either promote themselves or get another instructor to issue them with a 9th Dan. If they are quoting they are a 9th Dan how old are they? If they started at the age of 7 they should at least be aged 48 years plus however most are nearer the age of 60)
 
How long have they been teaching?
 
What coaching qualifications do they have?
Simply holding a black belt is no indication of a persons ability to teach, it is simply a measure of their own personal progress. They really should have a separate coaching qualification from a recognised body which is relevant to the age group.

Do they have a CRB check?
All instructors should have one before coaching classes of any sort.
 
Do they have a current first aid qualification?

Do they have valid liability Insurance?

Can you simply talk to other parents?

Can you visit the school to watch a class?
 
How long can you train before you need to enrol?

These are all VERY important, but also please trust your common sense. If it feels 'too good to be true' it probably is, and if you're not 100% happy you should never agree to anything without an opportunity to think it over

If they are genuine then surely they'll have no problem with leaving you some contact details and further information so you can get back to them in your own time will they?

If in doubt, CONTACT US and we'll help you check out all the facts. 

Click on the MASA 5 below which is the Martial Arts Standard Agency!!