Thread: Automatic Class Payments? Would it work for Belly Dance?

I started a new hobby. And I was a little shocked when the *first* night before the class began I was handed paperwork in which to sign up for automatic monthly class payments on my credit card.

I was also given the paper to stop these payments immediately if I wanted.

Since I've stuck with the class, I'm okay with the deductions.

I've had to sign up for this kind of deduction with my son's karate class as well. I didn't like that either, but stuck it out for the 6 months.

I've never heard of this with Belly Dance classes. But, ya know what, it's fair? It makes people put their money where their mouth is and commit, right?

What do you think? Anyone trying it? ,r:;

No, I don't think it will make a person commit more or less. A person who commits does so from the heart, not from the wallet.

I guess cc deductions would be okay if you expect full classes but don't think it's worth the cc fees for either the studio/teacher nor the student.

I would be hesitant if this was required. I do not like automatic payments cause what if I decided not to continue and there is a delay in them stopping payments. It would frustrate me personally.

I do enjoy paying online as a convenience and have done this when purchasing private lesson packages just for the added discount.

I think it depends on the country.

When I was living in Germany, this was really common. Automatic payments are deducted from your bank account for just about everything, nobody pays with checks, and credit card payments are less common. I took classes at one studio where this was the norm, and had no problems with it. It was also no problem for me to stop the payments when I moved. But again, this is more common place in Germany.

I think in the US, this wouldn't go over as well. People don't seem as open to automatic payments, and I myself might be put off.

For me, it doesn't really apply much as the students have to pay upfront for classes anyway.

A dance studio changed to this at one point and no one liked it. So now it's an option. Some people weren't going to take the class at all if they had to do that.

mine pay upfront via bank transfer for the whole ten weeks. if your studio has montly fees, this does seem like a pretty good system to me. i pay a lot of bills automatically this way (not via cc, but via an automatic bank transfer every month)

This is great info ladies, I think for large studios with lots of students, it just might be okay . . .

I love Germany does it! They are also big on requiring certificates for dance instructors as well, right?

My personal opinion is if you are a reliable teacher with a strong program, you should look into automatic payments. I have some German blood in me though . . .

Originally Posted by laura 2

For me, it doesn't really apply much as the students have to pay upfront for classes anyway.

I would be more inclined to pay like this. But some people just can't ever get it together to pay up front just before the class registration or they forget about signing up altogether. Since I have an aversion to much of anything dipping into my accounts because of the bad luck I've had with ebay and paypal, I would not be comfortable with this. But I do believe it has its good points.

Originally Posted by Be11yDancer

This is great info ladies, I think for large studios with lots of students, it just might be okay . . .

I love Germany does it! They are also big on requiring certificates for dance instructors as well, right?

My personal opinion is if you are a reliable teacher with a strong program, you should look into automatic payments. I have some German blood in me though . . .

Germans definitely love certificates and signed, stamped official documentation, but I don't think you need certificate to teach belly dance--though I could be wrong. I never taught classes while I was there but visited a few classes where I would be very surprised if they had any kind of teaching certificate, belly dance or otherwise.

Originally Posted by Be11yDancer

I've never heard of this with Belly Dance classes. But, ya know what, it's fair? It makes people put their money where their mouth is and commit, right?

What do you think? Anyone trying it? ,r:;

We used to offer automatic deductions at the ballroom studio I owned. It worked wonderfully. We did not make it mandatory; however, we did have students sign enrollment agreements. Truly, any sort of thing that a student has to sign does make the committment stronger. Yes they commit with their hearts, but they also commit with their pocketbooks. I say "go for it."