Changing Coaches

[Gingi]

I am thinking about changing coaches because of the cost difference and because another studio is a lot closer. How would you tell a coach (who teaches in a franchise studio so no control over cost) that you're leaving not because you're unhappy but the cost? I'm one of those people who hates to disappoint people and I know my coach is not going to like this but I can get a lot more coaching time with someone else (although I need to factor in the quality of the lesson).:confused:

[Chris Stratton]

Play up the "closer" aspect?

[waltzgirl]

I'd take a sample lesson or two at the new place before I burned any bridges at the old one, just to be sure of the quality.

If you do decide to leave, tell him the truth. I don't see any reason not to tell him that the cost is too much for you and that you're not in any way unhappy with his teaching. Since he doesn't set the prices, it's no reflection on him that the price is high. He's probably well aware of that anyway.

Whether you tell him that you'll be taking lessons somewhere else is up to you. For me, it might depend on whether he'd be likely to find out through the grapevine. Will he necessarily know that you are taking lessons somewhere else?

Do be prepared for the possibility that he will try to talk you out of leaving. He may be strongly encouraged by the management to do that if a student talks about leaving.

[Joe]

Well, if management wants to keep you maybe they can counteroffer the distance aspect with a break on price...

[Peaches]

If he's a professional, and has been in the business for any length of time, he's got to understand "I just don't have the kind of money it would take to continue with lessons from you." Unless he's a jerk, I'm sure he'd be pretty understanding.

Also, talk with the management, like Joe suggested. It's surprising how often things can be negotiated.

I sympathize. I went through the same thing with one of my teachers. I thought I was going to have to quit with him because of cost. But...talking about it with DH, and negotiating with managment made it so I could continue. But I was very up front with my teacher and the managers about the cost being a strain. They were very understanding. Good luck.

[SPratt74]

I have dealt with cost issues a couple of times, and the instructors have always been understanding. They've all even tried to negotiate, because it is a business first. They've even negotiated on my contracts if I go that route. So, I'd say try explaining to them that it's the money, because they'll probably try to keep you as a paying customer. They probably won't be able to cut down a whole lot, because they do have to pay rent and things like that. But you'd be surprised at what they might come up with.

And I've dealt with location too. But when they helped cut down the price, the location didn't matter any to me any more. True when I get a better paying job, then I will have to pay full price again. But for now it works. ;)

[marianya]

I have dealt with cost issues a couple of times, and the instructors have always been understanding. They've all even tried to negotiate, because it is a business first. They've even negotiated on my contracts if I go that route. So, I'd say try explaining to them that it's the money, because they'll probably try to keep you as a paying customer. They probably won't be able to cut down a whole lot, because they do have to pay rent and things like that. But you'd be surprised at what they might come up with.
As was mentioned earlier, take a couple sample lessons at the other studio and see if you like those better than what you have now. I'm currently in a franchise studio and I love the instruction that I'm getting (now, versus a year ago). However, the way that the owner runs the studios (she owns three) has been rubbing me the wrong way and despite the management of the studio I'm in as well as the strong caliber of the instruction I'm getting I feel like I need to shop around....

Which I plan to do... hopefully I'll either 1) find something I like, or 2) realize that I like what I have now more.

But when talking to your coach and then management tell the truth, because in the end if they really want to keep you they'll find a way to make it work. That's happened to me a few times too.

[Me]

Absolutely agree with the advise posted here.
The only thing I would add to this is you should consider telling your coach that cost and travel are factors BEFORE you take those pilot classes, especially if you've been working with your coach for more than six months. Yes I know that in theory these guys are supposed to be professionals but it can really bite you in the butt if the person you go to seek pilot training from is the bragging sort, and word makes it back to your current coach. I don't know if you're residing in a dance community riddled with turf wars, but in those situations even the professionals can be the worst at gossip.