any other Arthur Murray students?

[dragon3085]

This question is mainly directed at any other Arthur Murray students (if there are any) How many of you are going through the festival at the studio's now, and how many of you think AM has almost no concept of customer service?

[cl5814]

I have been to 2 different AM studios. Not too impressed. One advantage that i liked was the fact that i could transfer the contract to the new AM studio after my move. I doubt i would ever go back to AM.

[dragon3085]

I don't have a problem with my studio, in fact we may be the exception and not the rule, but the UBER franchise is really starting to tick me off. I can see why the number of studios has declined steadily over the years.

[Larinda McRaven]

One studio that we used to rent space from was so dead, there was no atmosphere at all and we were usually alone teachng. The owners couldn't wait to sell. They sold to an AM and the place blossomed and is full all the time. Now we go coaching in there and are blown away by the transformation. I have NEVER seen studios that had such wonderful fun happy students as the AM in the area.

[pygmalion]

I have been to 2 different AM studios. Not too impressed. One advantage that i liked was the fact that i could transfer the contract to the new AM studio after my move. I doubt i would ever go back to AM.

wow. Transferring contracts does sound like a big advantage, if you could find a studio you liked. 8)

[dragon3085]

The owner of our studio can have her moods, I remember once I asked some instructors why they didn't just leave and open their own place as independents, they replied that it had suggested before, but that that AM just has some awsome name recognition, and for the most part our studio is wonderful. Its the 2 times during the year, when HQ pushes this 'crap' on us, that the fun drains away. the AM franchise corp hq apparently seems to be only concerned with money and not student satisfaction.

[cl5814]

the AM franchise corp hq apparently seems to be only concerned with money and not student satisfaction.

This was sort of my impression of AM. My argument has always been that as long as the instructor is doing a good job and i am making progress i will keep coming back to the studio, if you need to SELL your studio to me, i might have second thoughts on who i am going to do business with.

One of my favourite dance partners was trained at AM. I guess, I just didn't have the luck he did.

[Larinda McRaven]

but that that AM just has some awsome name recognition,

yeah that is what I was kinda getting at. The studio was in the exact same location, but you take down the old sign and put up a AM sign and suddenly people come streaming in. In addition to name/brand recogntion, the home office/franchisor provides unparalleld support to the franchisee. They help provide teaching materials, yellow page adverts, coaches, signs, a team effort feeling that an independant studio owner never gets....etc Most independant owners talk about feeling adrift at sea with no land in sight or raft-mates to conspire with. There is definatley a sense of being 'taken care of" that franchises provide owners and employees, that compel many of them to stay.

[dragon3085]

the AM franchise corp hq apparently seems to be only concerned with money and not student satisfaction.

This was sort of my impression of AM. My argument has always been that as long as the instructor is doing a good job and i am making progress i will keep coming back to the studio, if you need to SELL your studio to me, i might have second thoughts on who i am going to do business with.

One of my favourite dance partners was trained at AM. I guess, I just didn't have the luck he did.

:-) I feel that same way about on2 salsa, if you have to hype it that much- there must be something going on with it.
I just wrote the franchise a rather frank letter, I'm curious to see if they try to pin most of my complaint on the franchise owner, even though the thing that set me off, was part a twice a year national thing that comes down from their HQ.

I guess all the corp brainwashing I've gotten from my company has me expecting good customer service from other companies as well.

[dragon3085]

but that that AM just has some awsome name recognition,

yeah that is what I was kinda getting at. The studio was in the exact same location, but you take down the old sign and put up a AM sign and suddenly people come streaming in. In addition to name/brand recogntion, the home office/franchisor provides unparalleld support to the franchisee. They help provide teaching materials, yellow page adverts, coaches, signs, a team effort feeling that an independant studio owner never gets....etc Most independant owners talk about feeling adrift at sea with no land in sight or raft-mates to conspire with. There is definatley a sense of being 'taken care of" that franchises provide owners and employees, that compel many of them to stay.

Yeah but I've know my instrutor for 4 years now and we are pretty close, I can say there is also a dark side to the franchise as well. One thing being, you pay the rent, and the franchise fees, but they still make the rules.

[Larinda McRaven]

It does come straight from the AMI corporate office. The studio really has no control over Festival. They have to be a part of it, and they are in competition with all of the other studios, worldwide, to get good results.

Sometimes there are studios that care very little about their position in the competition and apply little pressure on the students to support them, and sometimes the studios are really gung-ho to do well and the hype in the studio unbelievable.

In addition to writting a letter to HQ, would it be possible to sit down with the manager of your studio and explain to them that you are not interested in participating in the hype of Festival, and if they value you as a customer, they should ease up.

I will be very interestested to hear what AMI says in response to your letter!!

[Larinda McRaven]

One thing being, you pay the rent, and the franchise fees, but they still make the rules.

:) yes, that is what a franchise is, whether it is Aamco, McDonaolds, or AM.

[Nammerz]

I'm been an AM student for over 2 years now, and yes we're going through the whole "international dance festival" stuff right now for I think 6 weeks.

I think the customer service there is alright, I haven't really been treated too badly. If anything I agree with the aggressive sales pitch and pressure mentioned in other threads.

[dragon3085]

It does come straight from the AMI corporate office. The studio really has no control over Festival. They have to be a part of it, and they are in competition with all of the other studios, worldwide, to get good results.

Sometimes there are studios that care very little about their position in the competition and apply little pressure on the students to support them, and sometimes the studios are really gung-ho to do well and the hype in the studio unbelievable.

In addition to writting a letter to HQ, would it be possible to sit down with the manager of your studio and explain to them that you are not interested in participating in the hype of Festival, and if they value you as a customer, they should ease up.

I will be very interestested to hear what AMI says in response to your letter!!

Wow Larinda, you really know your AM stuff. :-) Actually what set me off was not the sales pitch, I had planned to re up anyway- it was the party. You probably already know that AM also has outing nights latin and country and medalist club. Each club is held once a month usually on thursday. In our studio's case Latin club is the most popular (san antonio, go figure) and we go to a salsa club. Now during festival there are no clubs, the so called themed parties take their place. So last night was supposed to be the latin theme- so lots a people show- and its a I love Lucy them and they start playing this crap mambo and cha cha from cerca 1950- nobody is dancing and nobody wants to dance, because we enjoy salsa and not mambo. What ticked me off, was not only is nobody dancing but we complain and make it very clear that we would like some more contempory music for this party and the they blow us off. Then they got the nerve to try to sell me more lessons... Hello why should I buy jack squat from you if you not intrested in my satisfaction. I had it out with the owner over this and almost tore up my new contract in there face,- this got their attention, remember I'm going on 5 years now at at studio- but all I ever got in the way explaination was that they have to play that music for this party. Apparently the franchise has killer satelittes which can strike you down from orbit if you don't play their moldy, outdate, archaic music. So most of just left, and there was the instructors and I think 3 new student for the rest of the party. Then they also have the nerve to whine that nobody attends parties anymore. Well gee you think it maybe because the bulk of the students at this studio are in there 30's and 40's and enjoy music a little bit more modern... hmmmmm....

[tasche]

Can someone explain what this festival is exactly?

[Larinda McRaven]

Apparently the franchise has killer satelittes which can strike you down from orbit if you don't play their moldy, outdate, archaic music. :D :lol: :D

Got it, Theme Party crap. Pretty much they suck, I can't tell you how many goofy costumes I had to wear when I was employed by a studio. (not franchise)
Anyway, yeah those are required, and the studio/staff have very little say over it. If you go to an "I Love Lucy" party you can expect that kind of music...if you go to a "Hawaiian Luau" you are going to dance to Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles" foxtrot.

But the staff/owner were rather shortsighted in not playing some other music to keep everyone happy at least part of the time. Especially when dealing with clients that are going on 5 years...those are valuable and important students. And while I would not allow my students to direct my business, I will listen and accomodate simple requests. This seems like such a minor thing that did not need to escalate to the point that it did...that's a shame.

[cl5814]

From the las vegas arthur murray website
"May 10th starts off the International Dance Festival…this is a 6 week promotional competition between all the Arthur Murray Studios worldwide."

[dragon3085]

Apparently the franchise has killer satelittes which can strike you down from orbit if you don't play their moldy, outdate, archaic music. :D :lol: :D

Got it, Theme Party crap. Pretty much they suck, I can't tell you how many goofy costumes I had to wear when I was employed by a studio. (not franchise)
Anyway, yeah those are required, and the studio/staff have very little say over it. If you go to an "I Love Lucy" party you can expect that kind of music...if you go to a "Hawaiian Luau" you are going to dance to Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles" foxtrot.


Hey wait a second when you at our hawaiian party??? :D How did you know that song was played? :D :) :lol:

[dragon3085]

From the las vegas arthur murray website
"May 10th starts off the International Dance Festival…this is a 6 week promotional competition between all the Arthur Murray Studios worldwide."

The long and short of it is, basically the studios compete on which one can sell the most lessons. They prefer to sell in block of 25 at about 100 buck a pop give or take 15 bucks. Sound bad, but when you consider that you get group lessons with this as well, and there are at least 2 groups every day m-sat its really not so bad when all is averaged out. They have these festivals twice a year.

[cl5814]

Apparently the franchise has killer satelittes which can strike you down from orbit if you don't play their moldy, outdate, archaic music. :D :lol: :D

Got it, Theme Party crap. Pretty much they suck, I can't tell you how many goofy costumes I had to wear when I was employed by a studio. (not franchise)
Anyway, yeah those are required, and the studio/staff have very little say over it. If you go to an "I Love Lucy" party you can expect that kind of music...if you go to a "Hawaiian Luau" you are going to dance to Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles" foxtrot.


Hey wait a second when you at our hawaiian party??? :D How did you know that song was played? :D :) :lol:

Let me guess, the music is the same at the AM studios.......... :lol: :lol:

[Larinda McRaven]

not neccessarily, but it is probably the same at theme parties all across the country...

[Chris Stratton]

Perhaps these twice yearly 'festivals' would be a good time to go on an extended out of of town 'vacation' or to become totally 'buried' at work...

[Nammerz]

Wow, sounds like you guys really hate this festival stuff. It seems like I'm the only person at my studio that's not into it at all. I can't see myself spending extra money just so a studio does better in thier money making competition when I'm already spending a fortune and don't really get anything in return for it. They are however giving away "prizes" such as free lessons for people who buy the most lessons, take the most classes, and get the most people to join.

I don't mind some of the theme parties though as long as they're not too dumb. I don't mind a beach party or sports party, but I'll be sure to stay home if there's ever an "I Love Lucy" party.

And btw; what's this customer service problem you guys have had with AM studios?

[pygmalion]

I think all the franchise studios have something similar -- a six-week sales promotion disguised as a contest. :lol:

[dragon3085]

Well its been over a week now since I emailed the the main hq and nobody has written me back. A few years back I inquired about getting a copy of the sylabus- which we have in our notebooks anyway- and I had a rather curt response in 24 hours. Basically they seem to have the attitude of Shut up, and pay us.

Wow, sounds like you guys really hate this festival stuff. It seems like I'm the only person at my studio that's not into it at all. I can't see myself spending extra money just so a studio does better in thier money making competition when I'm already spending a fortune and don't really get anything in return for it. They are however giving away "prizes" such as free lessons for people who buy the most lessons, take the most classes, and get the most people to join.

I don't mind some of the theme parties though as long as they're not too dumb. I don't mind a beach party or sports party, but I'll be sure to stay home if there's ever an "I Love Lucy" party.

And btw; what's this customer service problem you guys have had with AM studios?

[Larinda McRaven]

sorry to hear that, Dragon.

[Waltz Lover]

Hi, I just joined AM a few months ago, so I only caught the very tail end of the festival. By the way, anyone know who managed to win that competition in the U.S.? Or did one studio in the world win it?

Except for the exhorbitant rates being charged, I am super satisfied with the studio. The social atmosphere is awesome - students dance and practice with other students, tons of group lessons offered every day but Sunday, and I've made some great friends there. I've only been dancing for 1 1/2 years, so I'm open as to how this studio compares to others, AMI and non.

[Sagitta]

Hi, I just joined AM a few months ago, so I only caught the very tail end of the festival. By the way, anyone know who managed to win that competition in the U.S.? Or did one studio in the world win it?

Except for the exhorbitant rates being charged, I am super satisfied with the studio. The social atmosphere is awesome - students dance and practice with other students, tons of group lessons offered every day but Sunday, and I've made some great friends there. I've only been dancing for 1 1/2 years, so I'm open as to how this studio compares to others, AMI and non.

I'm glad that you are having a great experience Waltz Lover. Have you checked out other studios in your area as you find the rates exhorbitant, or is it not worth your while to do so?

[Waltz Lover]

I'm glad that you are having a great experience Waltz Lover. Have you checked out other studios in your area as you find the rates exhorbitant, or is it not worth your while to do so?

I was previously at another independent studio. However, it got to the point where they were just so small, they couldn't offer me anything besides (good quality) private instruction. As I needed to take a break from privates for a while, I was looking for a studio that offered group classes, as those are generally cheaper. I ended up meeting one of their instructors, got an invitation and was impressed that they offer several group lessons every night. After that, I really like the people there! Now it would be hard to break away from this studio!

[dragon3085]

I have to say too, that for our AM studio, our instructors are 2nd to none. Its the people who run and control the business that leave a lot to be desired.

Patrick

[etchuck]

Got it, Theme Party crap. Pretty much they suck, I can't tell you how many goofy costumes I had to wear when I was employed by a studio. (not franchise) Anyway, yeah those are required, and the studio/staff have very little say over it. If you go to an "I Love Lucy" party you can expect that kind of music...if you go to a "Hawaiian Luau" you are going to dance to Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles" foxtrot.


Hey wait a second when you at our hawaiian party??? :D How did you know that song was played? :D :) :lol:

1) There was an "I Love Lucy" theme party? That would have motivated my ex-gf to dance (and maybe we wouldn't be ex's).

2) In another thread, can we start a list of "theme" music that result in our bodies convulsing and writhing in pain whenever they are (over)played ? At least I want to be sure it (Tiny Bubbles) doesn't get played at our swing group's next Luau party. :)

[sunderi]

Hi, I just joined AM a few months ago, so I only caught the very tail end of the festival. By the way, anyone know who managed to win that competition in the U.S.? Or did one studio in the world win it?

Being a student, I'm not 100% sure on the details, but I know most of the competition stuff in AM is divided into 3 categories (A, B & C, I think) that reflect the number of students at the studio (or is it the $$$ amount of sales? I'm not sure).

I know that our studio (Vienna, VA) typically does very well in these competitions for the "top" level, as does our "sister" studio (Alexandria, VA) but I don't know for sure who won this year.