ATA Martial Arts & Kickboxing

My child was interested in karate. I was reluctant as I know she loses interest sometimes. This company had advertised 10 lessons for $60. It seemed like a good affordable way for her to try. Except that is a scam. There are no lessons for $60. They tell you to come in to schedule a lesson. When you go in they tell you that REAL price is $135 per month. They take out a uniform and nun chucks right in front of your kid and tell you your kid can't participate unless you sign a form agreeing to $135 per month. They put you on the spot because your kid is standing there. If you say no you have to leave with a disappointed kid. Of course, myself and every other parent agrees because you are left between a rock and a hard place. I broke my foot after only about 3 weeks and was not able to drive her to lessons. I tried to contact ATA but they refused to refund my money. I have been paying for lessons that no one is taking. They tell you that you have to talk to the Master. However - this Master is never around. They don't answer their phone calls and the bills keep coming.

Review: I began a month-to-month contract with ATA Martial Arts of Sayville in July 2013. The gym moved in September to a smaller and inferior facility. Within 2 months, we were on our third instructor, as they kept quitting. The new facility is dirty and one of the members stepped on a piece of glass during the class. This was blamed on debris left by the move. They also occupied space next to a preschool. During the morning kickboxing classes we were not allowed to work on the bags because it "disturbed" the sleeping children next door. By October, the instructor who taught the nighttime classes left abruptly and [redacted] began teaching. Thereafter, I showed up for several classes, both morning and night, and there was no instructor. I called and left [redacted] a message on 10/**/13. The answering machine has a generic outgoing message that doesn't even identify the business. I also called the company who does the billing, Member Services, to request that my contract be cancelled. They advised me that although I have a month-to-month contract, cancellation has to be initiated by [redacted]. On 10/**/13 I stopped down and spoke to [redacted], [redacted], and left him my name and number. He was unaware of how to cancel a contract and said he had to call the company. On 10/**/13 I left another message and again called Member Services. I spoke to [redacted] who said they cannot reach [redacted], [redacted], either. I called again on 11/*/13, still no answer. I spoke to [redacted] at Member Services who said that [redacted] is not responding to them and they are doing an investigation. I am not the only member who is going through this. The gym has a sign outside that says "Hot Pilates Studio" - it does not even reflect the correct business name. There is no way to contact [redacted] by phone, fax or email. They are still offering Groupons online too!Desired Settlement: I would like my contract to be cancelled and I do not want to be billed by this company anymore.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by ATA Martial Arts & Kickboxing regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,