Amerikick Hammonton Amerikick Gross over billing+ smoking + cancelled classes + poor quality instructors= My kid has really bad experience. hammonton, New Jersey

I know exactly how you feel!  Mr Castro was there up until September 26th.  The person who hired him to fix the school, sold it back to Amerikick without telling anyone and forced him out.  It was a shame, because he actually did turn that place around.  I know you may not be, but if you are ever interested in maybe giving it a shot again, Mr. Castro opened up his own school where the old Hometown Video is located and he took every last student that was there with him.  It was a testament to how much the parents appreciated his approach to teaching.  

And also, I'm pretty sure all those other rebuttals were written by amerikick.  just sounds funny.  

I would like to start out by thanking Mr. Castro, it was nice actually getting a sorry.  I had received a few calls from the " The Octagon Cage"(which was the name of there school!) and they had insured me that everything was going to improve.  They continued on to inform me that Steve Wright(Former problem instructor) was fired and the new staff is significantly better.  All of this 2+ months ago. 

Last week I stop in to meet these new instructors, and possibly talk about a refund, and what do I see a big picture of Steve Wright, and a papers informing me of new better ownership.  The owner STEVE WRIGHT!  Mr. Castro no where.

TO all of the people that wrote responses aluding to the fact that I am unreasonable.  Look again.


Still out some money but the positive side is soccer is alot of fun and hammonton is blessed to have alot of caring coaches.  

WARNING!

Kate, I think your terrible experience may have been a result of bad timing because I signed my son up for Karate lessons at AmeriKick about 3 weeks ago and I have been very satisfied so far! Since your sons period of attendance, the instructors have changed as well as the entire atmosphere of the school. I spoke with Master Castro about the price of the program and he was very informative of how much we would be billed each month. I believe the pricing and the system of billing is completely fair. We are always updated about when stripe testing and belt testing will be. Classes have never been late or canceled, and you can tell the two instructors truly care about what they are teaching each class. As far as the turnover rate goes, I walked into the school the other day to find Master Castro painting a mural on the wall. I don't think he would be doing something like that if he did not plan on staying for a while. I have not been over billed; therefore I really do not have room to talk as far as that goes, but I do not think I will be over billed at all. Whenever my son and I arrive, the instructors are always up at the front desk and prepared to teach class. I have never seen anyone smoking there or outside. From what I know, the name of the karate program my son attends is called AmeriKick. The Muay Thai and MMA program is called the Octagon. A very simple minded person could easily understand that. Along with every other parent, I am very satisfied with the experience I have had with this school so far and I plan on keeping my son enrolled there for a long time. You should definitely come back and see the changes that they have made!

Let us know what michael does for you, but be done with this place. You kid will only get his butt kicked regularly for thinking he is "tough". He will pick up the bad habits of the instructors, and What good is all that really gonna do him when he comes up against a real man with a gun?

Good Luck!

I would first like to apologize to Kate for any unpleasant experience that you or your son has had with this company in the past.  I can ensure you that the school is under new management and the program is getting better every day.  I know the situation with the instructors has been difficult, and again, I do Apologize.  Let me try to address the complaints as you have stated them.

1. Classes would start late or be canceled.  This will not happen again; I run a tight ship.  I teach a majority of the classes, and when I'm not I have fully certified instructors teaching or helping me teach.

2.  Very high turnover rate.  It seems they only can keep an instructor for about two months.  My son has had 4 different teachers in less than a year.  I am very particular who I allow to be around my
child.  I cannot speak as to why there is such a high turn over rate as far as instructors go, all I know is that with what happened with the previous instructor, there was no other reasonable conclusion, but termination.

3. Promised credit for overbilling Guy that promised it left abruptly, the owners explained that he was robbing them blind and its being worked on. wasnt he the guy I gave my personal info to?  If there is still a Credit due to you, I will confirm it and have a check here for you within 3 business days of confirmation.

4. Arrived early one day to see Instructors/ management rushing in from the back door area.  I know what they smelled like, and they proceeded to avoid us until they freshened up.  Im not going to point any fingers but they definitely acted and smelled as if they were high.  This is unacceptable and NO WAY will this ever happen here again. 

5.  Every one there smokes, and I have seen them throw the butt right on the side walk.  Not something I want my child picking up (habit or butt)  I don't smoke, and have personally spoken with the owners about not smoking within eye sight of the children or other students.  It is unprofessional, and I totally agree. 

6. They keep changing theyre name. From Hammonton karate, Amerikick Hammonton, the Octagon.  It is now called the Octagon cage?  It is still called Amerikick Hammonton, our MMA Program is called the Octagon Cage. 

My name is Michael Castro, I am the new Head instructor and Program Director.  You are right about many of the complaints, and I don't blame you for posting them.  But please call and speak with me, and give me an opportunity to correct this situation. 

As the new Program Director and Manager here I am working diligently on fixing many of the issues that I see.  Again, I am sorry for any unpleasantness that may have occurred during your visits to our school.  

Regards,

Michael Castro