What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia, USA
Hello, my name is Donnie Bowers. My question relates to registration and contract signing at a local martial arts academy.
Several months ago, around January 2014, I signed up to take 2x a week boxing classes at a martial arts academy. Prior to that, I was given a tour of the building, and a couple of brief talkings-to about the cost per month of my classes. All of which I was fine and pleased with. I was told I would have the first week of classes free.
That was the last I heard about anything regarding payments until the day I signed a contract a week or two later. My contract signing was conducted by a non-owner member of the staff, who had me sign my papers and explained the contract in very brief fashion. Whats worse is that it occurred during the first few minutes of one of my classes as well. I felt rushed because of it.
Part of the contract was a full 12-month price of my contract I was going to sign. I was also given the impression that I could cancel my membership, in writing at any time, with a 30-day notice. Turns out, the contract states a cancelled written notice has to be within 30 days of me signing the contract as well. But right then and there was the very first I heard about having to sign a year-long contract. My plan all along was to take 2-3 months of lessons, then return to focusing on work, school, and my summer soccer league I play in every year.
I only wanted to learn some basics of boxing and be able to give a 30-day notice after a few months, and be done with it. Instead, I am stuck paying $65/month, with an income of only about $1,000/month. Its putting a huge strain on me financially, as I work part time and take college classes part time. I have breifly talked to a staff member a couple of times, but they keep wanting to hold on to me and my contract by offering such things as private lessons, and working my schedule around to where I can still fit them in.
I have medical concerns as well. Whenever I took place in sparring sessions, I would have migranes for 2-4 days after the sparring took place. I learned some basics of boxing, but now I want to put boxing and sparring to the side as I finish my new degree and focus on starting a new job within the next couple months without being marred by daylong migranes, let alone risking long-term head injuries.
Obviously, I am massive need of legal advice. I would be hugely thankful to anyone who would review the basics of my case and give me some pointers.
Thank you so much,
Donnie
Hello, my name is Donnie Bowers. My question relates to registration and contract signing at a local martial arts academy.
Several months ago, around January 2014, I signed up to take 2x a week boxing classes at a martial arts academy. Prior to that, I was given a tour of the building, and a couple of brief talkings-to about the cost per month of my classes. All of which I was fine and pleased with. I was told I would have the first week of classes free.
That was the last I heard about anything regarding payments until the day I signed a contract a week or two later. My contract signing was conducted by a non-owner member of the staff, who had me sign my papers and explained the contract in very brief fashion. Whats worse is that it occurred during the first few minutes of one of my classes as well. I felt rushed because of it.
Part of the contract was a full 12-month price of my contract I was going to sign. I was also given the impression that I could cancel my membership, in writing at any time, with a 30-day notice. Turns out, the contract states a cancelled written notice has to be within 30 days of me signing the contract as well. But right then and there was the very first I heard about having to sign a year-long contract. My plan all along was to take 2-3 months of lessons, then return to focusing on work, school, and my summer soccer league I play in every year.
I only wanted to learn some basics of boxing and be able to give a 30-day notice after a few months, and be done with it. Instead, I am stuck paying $65/month, with an income of only about $1,000/month. Its putting a huge strain on me financially, as I work part time and take college classes part time. I have breifly talked to a staff member a couple of times, but they keep wanting to hold on to me and my contract by offering such things as private lessons, and working my schedule around to where I can still fit them in.
I have medical concerns as well. Whenever I took place in sparring sessions, I would have migranes for 2-4 days after the sparring took place. I learned some basics of boxing, but now I want to put boxing and sparring to the side as I finish my new degree and focus on starting a new job within the next couple months without being marred by daylong migranes, let alone risking long-term head injuries.
Obviously, I am massive need of legal advice. I would be hugely thankful to anyone who would review the basics of my case and give me some pointers.
Thank you so much,
Donnie
Last edited:
