Question by netcertified: Can a Martial Arts school prevent us from canceling contract?
We enrolled my daughter in a local martial arts school where we signed a contract for $ 125/month. After a month into class it was verbally disclosed to us that there would be fees for belt testing, as well as fees for weapons training (something we were told we can not opt out of). These fees were never, ever mentioned to us, nor are they listed in the contract we signed. According to the contract it says we can only cancel if we have a doctor’s note, or my daughter dies.
I’m assuming that since the contract has no date or terms on it, and there are hidden fees not disclosed to us, we should be able to cancel on grounds of the martial arts school using deceptive business practices.
I’m in Florida. Does anyone know if this is true? The company is trying to say I can’t cancel because we have a contract….which to me is clearly fraudulent. Am I protected under the Consumer Protection Act or Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act?
STEVEN F. Your answer is horrible!!! Consumers have rights. Not all martial arts schools have hidden fees. If I am lied to as a consumer, or something is hidden from me, it is not my fault. Who do you think you are telling me I’m at fault here?!!??! I signed a contract for a monthly service. If they fail to disclose hidden fees, it’s not because I’m stupid. It’s because they are being deceptive. How you are a top contributor is beyond me. Crawl back in your hole because your answers are useless!
Best answer:
Answer by Inappropriatus
FIRST>>>>NEVER take any legal advice from anyone on YA
SECOND; please call your local county bar association and tell them what has happened. You will be referred to an attorney who will answer your questions, usually for free.
Then you can make a decision as to how to proceed.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Posted in Martial Arts Weapons Part 1
3 Responses to “Can a Martial Arts school prevent us from canceling contract?”
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If the contract doesn’t have a term to it, then simply don’t renew it. If you’ve paid for the first month, let that be it. Have your daughter go through the first month of training. Send them in writing that you do not wish to renew the class for a second month.
You can always cancel, or breach, a contract. The question is will the school take you to court to enforce the contract terms? For $ 125 I cannot see them suing anyone. It will cost them more than that to file a court case. If the fees, and there are always fees, were not in the contract then no judge would award money to the school.
Tell them to get lost or tell it to the judge.
You’re welcome.
The ONLY violation described here is YOUR complete failure to find out what you were buying. You don’t even CLAIM they misrepresented anything. You only claim they did not mention something you SHOULD have asked about. If you don’t intend to test for belts, you shouldn’t be in a martial arts class.
As a prior answer stated, if the contract does not list a length of time, you can cancel at any time with no more than a months notice.