Karate America will rip you off. Please do not be misled. They charged me $6,650 for services not recieved. Jacksonville Florida

The theme of all these types of complaints is they are a victim. This is ridiculous. They are not victims in any case.

They try to make the claim that a 5 yr old kid cannot take a long term agreement. All one has to think about is how long kids attend school. They attend school for years. Many years. In fact they attend a school of some type until they are young adults.

Then what about church. Kids go to church until they are old enough to choose for themselves.

Why do they always try to play the coercion card when they do not get their way. They send a child to the karate course. The child benefits and within weeks stands ahead of his peers in concentration and self control. This is FACT backed by empirical data .Why does the client always complain but fail to mention all the good that was done for the kids? Worse, they try to get out of paying for the life long changes given to their kid. Its just like going to a doctor, getting a cure but then saying they don't want to pay any more because the kid isn't sick any more.

And then, they say they are not getting the services. That is not the fault of the karate center. That is the fault of the parent who fails to live up to their promises. These lessons are clearly sold with the understanding that the parent will pay whether the kid attends or not. It is written in plain text in plain view. This is not a casual affair where it only works when the parent feels like paying. This is a binding agreement where the karate center must provide the lessons. If one looks at the center they will see the lessons are given.

As for the equipment. This is a must have deal. Just as when a kid plays soccer or football. Its simple, wear the equipment or risk getting a bruise.

As for all the other drivel about being broke or poor or whatever.. The client signed up knowing the cost and then decided to play the "broke" card. This leadership agreement was not a surprise. The kid had to attend a while in some type of starter course first to be even considered for the invitation to the leadership course.

There is always one out of a hundred that tries to get out of paying. They always play the victim card.

They cannot get their way so they use sites like this as a cub to embarrass and try to smear the name of a good karate program. There are litterally thousands of happy clients and just a few like this one.
 

Alright J, and the others....

She is NOT the only parent in Jacksonville who also has signed a contract with you and been displeased with your services.  You mock people who speak out against your contracts. Your contract is unrealistic, and if you were parents you would also realize the strain and challenge it is to have children and wanting them to try everything.

You would understand that people just want the best for their child and try to give them the best, not thinking long term situations for a 3 year obligation would be unobtainable for a child that is 4, 5 or 6 years old.  We understand it is a contract it is an obligation, but your company does not even work with people.  You just say "sorry, should have read the red print."  Someone needs to understand that not everyone is not happy with your service in you company and needs to do something about it. You are a company that has someone sign a contract for kids who most are between the ages of 3 to 12 years old? What child can even sign up without the guidance of a parent, and if that parent thinks they are doing right for the child does not mean your company can treat them like "oh, you signed a contract, sorry." Your reputation in Jacksonville is being tarnished because of your unwillingness to help people. We understand what a contract is but you are unrealistic and pushy salesmen in karate outfit's. 

I had two incidents with your instructors that I and a friend decided not to go to your establishment anymore.  Who would want to go to a company after they have a bad experience?  

Yes, you still offer classes for the 150 bucks a month, but you still have to purchase more equipment? between 30-200 depending on the equipment you decide they need that month to advance to the next belt.

I think the point by this consumer is you would not help her!!! You could have reduced her contract price, you could have switched her to a one year, you could have reduced her fee. You could have helped someone. That is the problem with your company. You get your money and do not care. You do not help the consumer and you have this little paper protecting you, that you say you explain and we do read it, but we trust you in what you say because of your smiling faces and words of encouragement for our children.

I was also told that I could get out of the contract, and was never told about extra equipment cost, never was told I had to pay the full 3 years if I canceled. Gyms do not require contracts anymore, cell phone companies have a 200 to 400 buy out to end. Your company needs to negotiate with the consumer on your contracts especially since these contracts are for children and not adults. Since a 4 year old is not able to sign a contract cause it is against the law, we as parent's do it for our children. 

We have learned our less and a costly one at that. I still am paying my obligation 150  a month and saving money by not going to your establishment about  $60 every 2 months plus what ever equipment you decide to through in between $30 to $200.  I also can not afford this as I am a at home mom and work part-time from home to pay this 150.00 a month, since I am separated and paying my obligation. Yes, I have contacted your company with 2 by letter and once by phone (btw he never called me back) with the same response as your standardized letter " not canceling or non refundable" .. Never asked for a refund by the way. So, I instead of defaulting on my contract, I plan on paying for services you are not providing, but I will at EVERY chance I get make sure to tell my story, and discourage others from signing up with your company.  At least 3 to 4 parents have thanked me!...

Let it be know to parents here in Jacksonville Florida not to sign a contract with any karate place,  I will discourage and tell my story to parents here in Jacksonville. I will not default on my contract and keep my end of the bargain, but as a consumer I would discourage anyone from signing a contract with any karate establishments and soon you.  I will not make it a legal matter or get a lawyer, I will just use the Freedom of Speech Act!!

My goal is not to get my money back but to make sure to get the word out to parents.

Have you contacted a consumer protection lawyer or the Florida Attorney General?

Upon reviewing your report, we would like to inform you that you did sign a contract. In that contract it states that there are additional fees associated with your membership that are not included in the membership agreement. These clauses are listed directly above the box where you fill out your name, address and phone number; and are also bolded and italized. In addition, if you have questions, please ask, the coporate office address and fax number is listed on each contract if you have any further questions that you need answered.

As far as you being charged for services your son has not received; the classes are still being offered. Non attendance of those classes does not release you from your membership agreement and financial obligation. As long as the monthly payments are made, we happily place training time on hold for a period of time, and then have your son continue at a later date.

you didn't tell the whole story. You failed to mention the materials you received. Yes, that leadership course usually includes materials. You attended this program for more than a few weeks. How did you miss out on the info all the other parents discuss.
All to often people sign up for these courses, get all they can and then leave owing a past balance after taking lessons and then try to play the "victim" card. This course is not just a place of a little kicking and punching. It is a full course of study.

These programs do not just sign on someone without giving any information. New clients take a short term intro, then move on to a longer starter ,, after a few more weeks moves on to an advanced level. There is no secret to the fees, or equipment requirements.

Yes, the pain I feel when I read your sob story. Didn't you READ the contract? How is it a person who writes so eloquently failed to understand the first rule of consumers - when you are given a contract, you read it thoroughly!

Yes, the pain I feel when I read your sob story. Didn't you READ the contract? How is it a person who writes so eloquently failed to understand the first rule of consumers - when you are given a contract, you read it thoroughly!

Yes, the pain I feel when I read your sob story. Didn't you READ the contract? How is it a person who writes so eloquently failed to understand the first rule of consumers - when you are given a contract, you read it thoroughly!