Last Fearner
2nd Black Belt
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2006
- Messages
- 712
- Reaction score
- 17
if you want to get your daughter a KKW certificate and want her to still be able to train with her current master, my suggestion, suck it up, pay the fee and move on. If I had a student that went around me to get their rank after all the time and work I had put into them then they would be looking for another school.
I'm a bit more with wade on this one. Others have given some good advice as well, but the key is if you "want her to still be able to train with her current master." There are often avenues where a student can switch schools and find the "cheapest" tuition, and lowest test fees. If it is a good school with quality instructors, and the certificates are legit, then that is fine. However, do not mistake the higher prices with greed. This is true in some cases, but more of a problem if you are simply training from an instructor who is unqualified to teach, or issue rank certificates.
It does not matter what I charge for tuition or test fees. I make that decision based solely on operating costs of my business, and my ability to earn a living above and beyond those costs. I don't owe ANY student a detailed explanation or account of where the money goes. If they ask why my prices might be higher than Joe Blow's down the street, or Master Stoker's in Texas, I will honestly explain to them that Joe Blow is not as experienced and qualified as I am so they get what they pay for there, and as far as I know, Master Stoker is an excellent instructor in Texas, not in my town in Michigan. I don't know what the economy is in other areas, what other instructors do to supplement their income, or if they have a family to raise. I am a full time instructor - it is my profession - my career, my lively-hood, and my fees are commensurate to what I offer my students.
Ed, you are not being ripped off, unless you feel that the quality of instruction is not worth what you are paying. If there are better instructors in your area who charge the same or less, you might consider changing schools. If you have to travel a long distance to find a good instructor, even if the price is higher than what you currently pay, it might be a wise investment. The choice is yours, and you are only being ripped off if you are not getting top quality instruction for the higher prices. $500.00 for a test is at the high end, but not beyond the range of what is often charged.
If you are financially challenged, and can not afford the fee, then talk to the instructor. If the instructor is not worth the fee, then leave the school, but I would have hoped you would have realized that fact before your daughter reached 1st Dan.
Good Luck to you and your Daughter!
CM D.J. Eisenhart