Ashburn Athletics

Fitwize has enjoyed having both children as fitness members and participants in our After School Program They excelled both physically and socially We always try to accommodate our customers to the best of our ability and within reason and feel we have done so in this case As mentioned, both children began as fitness members and registered for a month membership at $per month; one child began in July and one in October Because both did very well in our program, in December 2013, the parents decided they would like to register them for our After School Program At the beginning of December, the parents made a request for their children to enroll in our After School Program, to begin on January 2, 2014, but we only had one opening We did not have spots on our Fitwize van to pick them both up from school each day Management agreed to allow the children to attend the After School Program by the parent dropping them off at our facility until we had an opening on the van A reduced rate from $to $was given for the one child until a spot opened up on the van This is not within our policy but we tried to be accommodating until both children were able to ride the Fitwize van from school to our facility An additional exception was made, in this case, in regards to the termination of the fitness membership Fitwize Management agree to cancel both children's fitness membership early without penalty They had paid the 12-month rate of $for just months for each child When a member cancels a membership early, the remaining portion due for the length of the membership either becomes due or we adjust the rate to the monthly rate and the remaining portion is due In this case, when signing up for a membership, they are agreeing to pay $for months for a total of $or, in certain circumstances, management can agree to charge the 1-month rate for the months, which would have been $for both months for a total of $ In both children's cases, they only paid a total of $for the length of their membership, which is at a significantly reduced rate Because they were joining another program at Fitwize, Management agree to terminate their membership agreements without penalty.This explains some history of the situation To address the complaint regarding our Vacation Policy, it clearly states in both our ASP Handbook & on the ASP Registration form, which were signed by the parents, that we allow one-week vacation, within a school, with a 2-week notice given, after a child has enrolled for months This is standard within our industryThe parents enrolled their children in our program in January and a request was made for a week in April They did not meet the 6-month enrollment requirement In regards to our 30-written notification policy to receive a full refund of the initial deposit paid of $& $135, our policy from our ASP Handbook states, "If you decide to withdraw your child form our ASP, you must provide Fitwize Kids with a 30-day written notice." The written notice was received on August 15, Our policy states that payments for the ASP would continue through that period, with the initial deposit being applied to the last week within the day period In this situation, the day period takes them to paying until September 8, and their deposit applied to the final week According to our policy, the parents would owe $for the first week of school for both children, for a total of $owed to Fitwize The purpose of the 30-day notice is to provide Fitwize with a reasonable amount of time to find someone to fill the openings This is an industry standard, in fact, many ASP in our area require an annual commitment; whereas we only require a 30-day noticeBecause we have a waitlist and have been able to fill these children's spots, in an act of good faith, I will agree to refund the ASP deposits of $($& $135) to the customer I will not, however, provide a refund in regards to the vacation policy

Fitwize has enjoyed having both children as fitness members and participants in our After School Program.  They excelled both physically and socially.  We always try to accommodate our customers to the best of our ability and within reason and feel we have done so in this case.  As...

mentioned, both children began as fitness members and registered for a 12 month membership at $59 per month; one child began in July and one in October.   Because both did very well in our program, in December 2013, the parents decided they would like to register them for our After School Program.  At the beginning of December, the parents made a request for their children to enroll in our After School Program, to begin on January 2, 2014, but we only had one opening.  We did not have 2 spots on our Fitwize van to pick them both up from school each day.  Management agreed to allow the 2 children to attend the After School Program by the parent dropping them off at our facility until we had an opening on the van.  A reduced rate from $135 to $100 was given for the one child until a spot opened up on the van.  This is not within our policy but we tried to be accommodating until both children were able to ride the Fitwize van from school to our facility.  An additional exception was made, in this case, in regards to the termination of the fitness membership.  Fitwize Management agree to cancel both children's fitness membership early without penalty.  They had paid the 12-month rate of $59 for just 2 months for each child.  When a member cancels a membership early, the remaining portion due for the length of the membership either becomes due or we adjust the rate to the monthly rate and the remaining portion is due.  In this case, when signing up for a membership, they are agreeing to pay $59 for 12 months for a total of $708 or, in certain circumstances, management can agree to charge the 1-month rate for the 2 months, which would have been $101 for both months for a total of $202.  In both children's cases, they only paid a total of $118 for the length of their membership, which is at a significantly reduced rate.  Because they were joining another program at Fitwize, Management agree to terminate their membership agreements without penalty.This explains some history of the situation.  To address the complaint regarding our Vacation Policy, it clearly states in both our ASP Handbook & on the ASP Registration form, which were signed by the parents, that we allow one-week vacation, within a school, with a 2-week notice given, after a child has enrolled for 6 months.  This is standard within our industry. The parents enrolled their children in our program in January and a request was made for a week in April.  They did not meet the 6-month enrollment requirement. 
In regards to our 30-written notification policy to receive a full refund of the initial deposit paid of $100 & $135, our policy from our ASP Handbook states, "If you decide to withdraw your child form our ASP, you must provide Fitwize 4 Kids with a 30-day written notice."  The written notice was received on August 15, 2014.  Our policy states that payments for the ASP would continue through that 30 period, with the initial deposit being applied to the last week within the 30 day period.  In this situation, the 30 day period takes them to paying until September 8, 2014 and their deposit applied to the final week.  According to our policy, the parents would owe $135 for the first week of school for both children, for a total of $270 owed to Fitwize.  The purpose of the 30-day notice is to provide Fitwize with a reasonable amount of time to find someone to fill the openings.  This is an industry standard, in fact, many ASP in our area require an annual commitment; whereas we only require a 30-day notice.
Because we have a waitlist and have been able to fill these children's spots, in an act of good faith, I will agree to refund the ASP deposits of $235 ($100 & $135) to the customer.  I will not, however, provide a refund in regards to the vacation policy.

Review: I have two children that attended classes twice a week at Fitwize 4 Kids [redacted] VA location. We saw an improvement in the kids weight loss and decided to enroll the children in after-school care. There was a waiting list so I decided to find other alternative, and finally enrolled them in January when one spot opened up. I had to drive both kids from school to after school care due to lack of space in the van. The spot became available after one month. So far so good. I had read in their enrollment form that we are allowed to take one week as non-pay vacation week, so I notified them in advance for spring break. I was told you have to be enrolled for 6 months minimum. How could I have enrolled them when there were no spots! They would not make any exception. That is fees for two children at about $250 for the week. Wedecided to take them out at end of May (with the required 30-day notice. They said do you want to apply the deposit to their last week or use towards deposit for next year's after-school? I decided to not re-enroll them at this facility, but they insisted to stay and re-enroll just in case so we don't lose our spot. A lot can change over the summer, so I thought why not. They assured me that if we decided not to re-enroll for next school year, we would get our money back. I did that thinking nothing I have nothing to lose. We have had some financial constraints and wrote them that we would like to be taken off the list and let other children enroll. I remember being in that spot where we had no choice to wait it out and if we could make this available sooner to other parents - it would be right thing to do. The owner stated that the refund is only applied to the last week the child is enrolled and NO refund would be made. As a parent I feel the after school programs offer a great service but often take advantage of our situation and charge for every little thing. It almost feels like the rules are made in favor of the after school facility with no exception and no heart.Desired Settlement: I feel that we should not have paid for the one week vacation (Spring Break) as we COULD not have been enrolled for 6 months prior. There was no choice as there were no spaces available. We took that in stride as rules are rules. At end of school year, we were misinformed about applying the deposit towards last week and using it for following year. Now we are told it is non-refundable. We would like to have our deposit back that could have been applied towards last week of school.

Business

Response:

Fitwize has enjoyed having both children as fitness members and participants in our After School Program. They excelled both physically and socially. We always try to accommodate our customers to the best of our ability and within reason and feel we have done so in this case. As mentioned, both children began as fitness members and registered for a 12 month membership at $59 per month; one child began in July and one in October. Because both did very well in our program, in December 2013, the parents decided they would like to register them for our After School Program. At the beginning of December, the parents made a request for their children to enroll in our After School Program, to begin on January 2, 2014, but we only had one opening. We did not have 2 spots on our Fitwize van to pick them both up from school each day. Management agreed to allow the 2 children to attend the After School Program by the parent dropping them off at our facility until we had an opening on the van. A reduced rate from $135 to $100 was given for the one child until a spot opened up on the van. This is not within our policy but we tried to be accommodating until both children were able to ride the Fitwize van from school to our facility. An additional exception was made, in this case, in regards to the termination of the fitness membership. Fitwize Management agree to cancel both children's fitness membership early without penalty. They had paid the 12-month rate of $59 for just 2 months for each child. When a member cancels a membership early, the remaining portion due for the length of the membership either becomes due or we adjust the rate to the monthly rate and the remaining portion is due. In this case, when signing up for a membership, they are agreeing to pay $59 for 12 months for a total of $708 or, in certain circumstances, management can agree to charge the 1-month rate for the 2 months, which would have been $101 for both months for a total of $202. In both children's cases, they only paid a total of $118 for the length of their membership, which is at a significantly reduced rate. Because they were joining another program at Fitwize, Management agree to terminate their membership agreements without penalty.This explains some history of the situation. To address the complaint regarding our Vacation Policy, it clearly states in both our ASP Handbook & on the ASP Registration form, which were signed by the parents, that we allow one-week vacation, within a school, with a 2-week notice given, after a child has enrolled for 6 months. This is standard within our industry. The parents enrolled their children in our program in January and a request was made for a week in April. They did not meet the 6-month enrollment requirement. In regards to our 30-written notification policy to receive a full refund of the initial deposit paid of $100 & $135, our policy from our ASP Handbook states, "If you decide to withdraw your child form our ASP, you must provide Fitwize 4 Kids with a 30-day written notice." The written notice was received on August 15, 2014. Our policy states that payments for the ASP would continue through that 30 period, with the initial deposit being applied to the last week within the 30 day period. In this situation, the 30 day period takes them to paying until September 8, 2014 and their deposit applied to the final week. According to our policy, the parents would owe $135 for the first week of school for both children, for a total of $270 owed to Fitwize. The purpose of the 30-day notice is to provide Fitwize with a reasonable amount of time to find someone to fill the openings. This is an industry standard, in fact, many ASP in our area require an annual commitment; whereas we only require a 30-day notice.Because we have a waitlist and have been able to fill these children's spots, in an act of good faith, I will agree to refund the ASP deposits of $235 ($100 & $135) to the customer. I will not, however, provide a refund in regards to the vacation policy.