Thread: Is anyone lowering class prices?

Hi all,

I just got word that yet another BD teacher in town is offering classes for half the price of mine and has scads of students. Sigh. I have very few beginners, but enough dedicated old timers to continue right now. Some of the old timers are feeling the money pinch right about now, others are not there yet. Someone said these low prices are because of the nationwide economic crisis. I've not raised my rates in 5 years. Is everyone 'slumming' or is this just another case of undercutting and devaluating our work?

Currently I'm in the midwest and pricing for beginners is 10 per class or 35 per month for one hour per week (4-5 hours).

~Sigh~

KS

I'm here in the Northeast. I haven't seen class prices drop, or if they do, it might be a dollar or 2. I pay something like $14 per week for class (ATS).

I'm in the midwest and charge $54 for a 6 week session. The only comment I ever hear on my prices is 'oh, that's reasonable.'

I think the other classes are underpriced.

I have seen a range in my area. I live in the Northeast as well. I live in a suburban/urban area of the state. Definitely not the big city, but it is the second largest city in my state.

Now I know my instructor charges $16.50 a week for all types of dance (oriental, ballet, jazz, tap, etc). If you take 2 or more, she gives a discount. She also gives a discount for families. Most of the time siblings and parents take classes with her. She is actually the cheapest in the area and has been that way for years. But, she raises prices every so often. When I first started 8 years ago I think it was $11.50 a week.

I am going to take ITS, which is $60 for 6 weeks in the country.

If it is due to the economy they say don't ever do that and stick to your guns. When the economy comes back you will be expected to keep those prices. I would stick to what you offer.

I don't know about anyone else's classes, but I actually raised the fee for my 6-week class by a few dollars recently (I try to give myself a "raise" once a year or so).

I'm glad someone posted this. I'm starting a new class in the spring, and can't figure out what other people are charging. My own instructor (whose studio space I'll be renting) is charging $15, so I hate to charge less than that. However, she's giving me freedom to do as I please, and I am worried that others in the area are charging way less.

I charge the going rate for classes in my area (approx $45/month) and there are others who are charging as little as $3-5/class. Guess who has more long-term students?

If you are pricing your classes fairly, I wouldn't lower rates because it's difficult to raise them later and you may risk lowering the perceived value of your services. If you need to attract students, maybe try a referral discount or different marketing?

3 bucks a class? How does someone stay in business at those rates?

because
- the money doesnt matter to them
- subsidized circuit

Originally Posted by TheGreatKathyLori

3 bucks a class? How does someone stay in business at those rates?

It's complicated, but we'll leave it at this - the price reflects the quality of the instruction and the individual's level of business ethics towards the community.

Originally Posted by TheGreatKathyLori

3 bucks a class? How does someone stay in business at those rates?

My question too! It's at least $20 an hour to rent studio space, here! And more than that, many places. The only place people can pay $3 a class is at a gym where they already pay a membership fee, so the instructor is already being paid a set rate (I presume). But, gym instructors are required to carry all sorts of fitness certifications around here, I don't know about elsewhere.

Even if I had no overhead at all, it takes more than $3 for me to get off the couch, throw on yoga pants and work up a sweat. It's pretty darn comfy on that couch! ;)

I am not, though I have restructured my classes. I am now doing $15, 1.5 hour classes instead of $12, 1 hour classes. It works out to be slightly less per hour, but it allows me to work in more depth with the students. I have always offered discounts for multiple classes, but where my lowest discount price for 1 hour classes was $8 each for 20 ($160), my new lowest discount price for 1.5 hour hour classes is $11 each for 20 ($220).

My costs and the value of my time have not decreased, so I am not able to lower my rates at this time. For my area, at least, it seems the $10-$15 an hour with discounts for multiple purchases or series is the going rate. I would guess it varies some by region and demand.

Hi! I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada. My current teacher charges a dance card for $67 for 6 classes of 1.5 hr of instruction that includes 1 free guest or $15 for a drop-in at a dance studio. This dance card is good for both beginner and advanced classes, same rate. She recently raised the dance card price by $2 from $65. The dance card is very reasonable as it works out to $11.17/1.5 hr class or $7.45/hr. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Her beginner classes ranges from about 14 students to sometimes over 30 students in the dance studio. She is well-known in Vancouver and the US.

Another teacher tried to charge $90 for 6 beginner classes ($10/hr) of 1.5 hr of instruction in a ME restaurant on Sundays, but she had no students. Too expensive and she is not well-known in Vancouver. She is now teaching at a rec centre along with her former student.

Of course, the rates at the local rec centre for beginners is about $66.05/10 x 1 hr classes or $6.61/hr, but the teacher is a former classmate who had only taken classes from several instructors for over 2 years and started teaching for over a year now. The performance class at the rec centre costs $84.66/ 10 x 1 hr classes or $8.47/hr. They accept 20 students/class in a gym-like classroom.

BTW, these are in Canadian funds. Somehow, everyone thinks that it is best to learn at the rec centre over a dance studio, but the quality of instruction is so different. Now, I choose my teachers carefully.

MY expenses aren't going down, if anything rent, heat travel expenses & food are going UP- no way am I dropping class rates! thankfully, all but one of the local instructors is within a reasonable range of each other, tho my prices are still the highest locally. $15/ hour is also in line with what other disciplines are charging locally, so I think it's reasonable & haven't lost any students so far to less expensive teachers. 'course classes start this week, so we'll see how things actually pan out since I'm in a new studio space too!

edit: other disciplines meaning tap classes, martial arts, etc.

Originally Posted by MaryRaks

It's complicated, but we'll leave it at this - the price reflects the quality of the instruction and the individual's level of business ethics towards the community.

Not always. I teach through the parks and recreation and they set the class prices which are bloody dirt cheap compared to the prices I hear from other places. I have no say in prices and get paid a flat hourly wage that is equal to the area wage determination for a part time city employee. I also work my arse off to make sure my students are getting good quality instruction. So no class cost doesn't always reflect the quality of the instruction or the teacher's level of buisness ethics. Sometimes prices are set by outside forces over which a teacher has no control.

Sorry if this sounds grumpy, it just rubbed me wrong on what has been a rough week.

I think Mary may have been referring to the quality of a *specific* instructor in her area...

I agree with others that expenses for us teachers are going up all over, so why would we lower?

For the most part, students will prioritize for classes they love and unique information. That is not meant as a jab at you, but just a reminder to not focus only on the cost. Maybe this is an opportunity to revisit your curriculum, and look into maybe doing some supplemental workshops of some kind to help keep your name at the top of everyone's minds when they think "bellydance" in your area!

it's 2009.

collectively, bellydance dance classes (imho) should NEVER be less than $10 an hour. PERIOD! anything less, ultimately devalues our craft.

My beginners classes have been decimated since the town's university began offering bellydance classes in its cultural center at a fraction of the price I ask. The university subsidises it.

I had a lot of uni students as beginners.

I can't blame the girls for going for the bargain but I consider it unfair competition. Sigh

I have decided value added is the way to go, rather than lowering rates.

Actually, I found out last night that this is what happened. I'm relieved that the teacher is not undercutting of her own accord! But I wish the parks would find the going rate and charge *that* so they were not undercutting the rest of us! I was mainly disapointed to think this trusted college would undercut. I mean, there are plenty of students, but given a choice (and just scoping for a class) of course most people will pick a lower rate.

I guess things will pick up or I'll have some extra free time on my hands, so I can't loose!

:/

KS

Originally Posted by Viv

Not always. I teach through the parks and recreation and they set the class prices which are bloody dirt cheap compared to the prices I hear from other places. I have no say in prices and get paid a flat hourly wage that is equal to the area wage determination for a part time city employee. I also work my arse off to make sure my students are getting good quality instruction. So no class cost doesn't always reflect the quality of the instruction or the teacher's level of buisness ethics. Sometimes prices are set by outside forces over which a teacher has no control.

Sorry if this sounds grumpy, it just rubbed me wrong on what has been a rough week.

Yes! I've heard that many of her students do want to study with me, but my prices are 'too high'. I've also heard that she encourages them to study with me, so that's nice! I've always been open to my students taking classes with others (as long as the instructors are in the know about it) and wouldn't mind taking her classes myself, as her style is a bit differnt than mine - the price is right I guess - tee hee.

Point being, I think the students there do realize I have something unique to offer, but are used to some very low prices. But yes, I do need to take a look at advertising, and at my curriculum. Maybe it is time to shake things up a bit and think about where I'm going with this.

Thanks!

KS

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

I agree with others that expenses for us teachers are going up all over, so why would we lower?

For the most part, students will prioritize for classes they love and unique information. That is not meant as a jab at you, but just a reminder to not focus only on the cost. Maybe this is an opportunity to revisit your curriculum, and look into maybe doing some supplemental workshops of some kind to help keep your name at the top of everyone's minds when they think "bellydance" in your area!

I'm still testing waters with my rates after having moved studios a lot over the last few years. Fall registration is underway, so we'll see what happens.

At any rate, I would caution about lowering your prices, because when the economy picks up (as it appears to be doing slowly as we speak), students will not be pleased about the price hike.

How about offering a little extra value for the classes? (Cheap or free regular haflas, parking vouchers, longer class time, loaner props, etc. How about having a free trial class? Or some sort of referral sale? ie. bring a friend, get 20% off? Things like this may make things easier.

Originally Posted by s1dur1_sab1tu

Actually, I found out last night that this is what happened. I'm relieved that the teacher is not undercutting of her own accord!
KS

Well, sorry to be sour - but by choosing to be part of a system that undercuts, the teacher IS (albiet indirectly) undercutting of her own accord.,m::

IMO I would rather pay for quality than worry about the price.

I especially won't pay to be taught by someone whose dance I don't care for.

well, here class enrollments are at an all time low since i started the school, for the LOWER level. my upperintermediate and advanced are petty packed, with even more newbies-to-me (advanced students that didnt start with me) then ever. another teacher in the neighboorhood quit and some of her advanced are flocking to me... they'll be several of them in the same class.

it does make me think if i should restructure what i offer (concentrate on the higher levels)

also, the demand for drop ins is increasing, i still dont want to do those, but i'm considering starting "class cards". or i'll start allowing drop ins at a higher rate. i'm not sure. i'm not a fan of teahcing that way, i like working on things with the same group continuously...

Originally Posted by s1dur1_sab1tu

I'm relieved that the teacher is not undercutting of her own accord! But I wish the parks would find the going rate and charge *that* so they were not undercutting the rest of us! I was mainly disapointed to think this trusted college would undercut.

KS

Has anyone ever had any luck complaining to a college or city parks & rec department about this kind of thing? I remember $5-$8 classes 20 years ago- why wouldn't public services (who need increased income as much as anybody right now) be charging more now than 20 years ago too?

Originally Posted by Adishakti

At any rate, I would caution about lowering your prices, because when the economy picks up (as it appears to be doing slowly as we speak), students will not be pleased about the price hike.

There is definitely a balance to be sought- will you actually get more students with lower prices, or will you just be cutting into your income without gaining students. Surprisingly, I actually *gained* students when I raised my prices from $12 to $15 per hour long class, even in the down turn. Perceived value really does mean a lot. I also feel this puts me in a good position when the economy does start to pick up.

they see it as subsidized education and sports... and not as competing with anybody. they usually believe they are offering a community service to people who would otherwise not benefit from any ongoing education/free time activities. in a lot of cases they are right too.

if i take ballet or jazz classes at the local arts conservatory, it also only costs me 60 euro for a whole year or so.; many sportclubs here also work with a low annual fee, that's it. i dont see it's a problem really.