ComplaintsforRock City Dance Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid for private solo dance lessons for my daughter. My daughter did not receive all of the classes I paid for and there was a credit balance at the end of the season. I requested a refund for the overage I paid and was told I could not get a refund. I even agreed to settle on a lesser amount and have not heard anything back from the owner.

  Business response

  01/23/2023

  Good afternoon *******,

  
  

  Thank you for the call back.

  
  

  Below is the email and the attachment that was sent on Jan 7th in response to ********* inquiry that we received on January 4th regarding her requested refund.

  I have also attached the PDF of the agreement form all competition families sign.

  
  

  Side Note: The ****** family left the studio when one of our teachers left the studio. This is the reference to the comment about "****** doesn’t do well with changes or stress”. Being that this MAY be viewed by the general public I have added the additional text "We certainly understand that when a teacher leaves the studio that students may have a difficult time adjusting.” into the email text below which was not on the original email sent to ********.

  
  

  Please confirm this email to you has been received 

  and let me know if you need anything further.

  
  

  Kind Regards,
  Ken I***
  ************
  ***@RockCityDance.com

  
  

  
  
  

  Begin forwarded message:
  
  

  From: Kenneth I*** <ken@rockcitydance.com>
  Date: January 7, 2023 at 10:35:55 PM EST
  To: ******** ****** <J******@ganleybmw.com>
  Subject: 20 Hr Package Credit
  
  

  Good evening ********,

  
  

  
  

  Thank you for the follow up regarding the unused time from the 20hr solo last season and the update on ******.

  
  

  We actually were unaware that ****** decided that Rock City was not a great fit anymore. The last communication we had received was that ****** doesn’t do well with changes or stress and that she was going to sit out this dance season and figure out what she wants to do moving forward. We certainly understand that when a teacher leaves the studio that students may have a difficult time adjusting.

  
  

  With this new info I *** understand why you are seeking a different resolution than what was offered.

  
  

  I pulled the 20/21 Solo contract and have attached it here.

  In the first paragraph under “Getting Started / Scheduling Practice Times” the agreement states the following:

  
  

  1. Full Payment will still be due regardless if all of the allotted time is not completed by end of season.

  2.  It is the dancers responsibility to make sure that the determined amount of hours for practice are met and to make sure they maintain the agreed upon schedule set at the beginning of the season by each instructor.

  
  

  These are the policies that all RCD families agree with to be able to participate with a specialty solo dance.

  We do however try our best to make sure our clients (past or present) are happy and as a courtesy we have always offered our clients the ability to make up any unfinished solo time via a credit to be used in future classes.

  
  

  We also appreciate knowing that meeting in the middle for $150 would be satisfactory for you.

  
  

  I have looked at the notes and invoices and payments in your account a little more closely. Per your request via an email we received on July 11th we did apply that courtesy credit of $150 to ****** for our 2022 summer classes she signed up for. We also used an additional credit of $30 to cover the 22/23 comp team tryout fee which actually only leaves $95 of unused time specific to the 20Hr package. 

  
  

  I understand that a non-monetary resolution may not be your desired outcome but please understand that the package you chose is designed to be a benefit to the dancer that is committed to spending 20+ hours working on their specialty routine at a discounted rate.

  
  

  The 20 Hour package that you chose was a discounted package where you were paying less per hour than you would have if you had chosen the 6 Hr package.

  The terms in the contract including those listed above are there for multiple reasons, one of which is to avoid a scenario where a family is paying less per hour, not finishing the full package and then expecting a refund for unused hours at the discounted rate.

  
  

  If we were to break policy and issue you a cash refund it would not be fair to the Studio to do that at the 20 Hr discounted rate as the 20 Hrs of payment would not be met. We would need to change it back to the 6Hr package rates.

  
  

  20Hr package costs $1000 and = $50 an hour for 20 hours. Additional time after the 20 hours is at $50 an hour. 

  
  

  VS

  
  

  6Hr package costs $420 and = $70 an hour for 6 hours. Additional time after the 6 hours is at $60 an hour. 

  
  

  
  

  ****** completed 14.5 hours of the 20Hr package 

  If we changed to the 6hr package and charged accordingly at $70 for the 6 Hours that was completed and $60 per the extra 8.5 hours used afterwards the amount owed would be at a total of $930. The overpayment would be $70. We would then need to remove $80 of the $150 credited for the summer classes and the $30 for the team tryout leaving a $110 balance owed to Rock City which obviously is not in your favor.

  
  

  As we stated previously we would love to have ****** back in the studio and will honor the remaining $95 class credit for her if she decides she would like to take summer classes in 2023 and or rejoin us for the 23/24 season. If ****** decides not to return for classes we sincerely wish your family all the best. We had many great years with ****** and have many fond memories.

  
  

  
  

  Kind Regards,

  Ken and Sharie I***

  Rock City Dance

  
  

  
  

  
  

  <Solo Duet Trio Process_Agreement_2021-2022.pdf>

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Hello Ken,

  
  

  Thanks for reaching back out! I’m sure as you know ****** and I decided Rock City wasn’t a great fit for her anymore, hence why a “credit” isn’t a great resolution. Lol. 

  I did review your competition member contract and it doesn’t state anywhere refunds we’re not given but instead “credits” would be issued if need be. 

  
  

  I paid monthly via a monetary transfer for a service that was not provided, at no fault of ******s or myself. 

  
  

  I do understand you are operating a small business and am trying to be mindful of that. With that being said, I will be satisfied if we meet somewhere in the middle and a check is issued for $150. 

  
  

  I really hope we *** resolve this matter amicably. 

  
  

  Thank you for your help and understanding. I look forward to hearing from you this week. 

  
  

  Kind regards,

  ******** ****** 

  (440)305-1406 

  
  

  Customer response

  01/23/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** ******
  
  
  
  
  Thank you for reaching back out. I will proceed with step 2 which is small claims court. 

  I tried to meet in the middle. I have documentation from rock city stating I had the credit of $275. 

  I also have documentation from my bank showing where I was charged the try out fee of $25 or $30. 

  
  

  In my opinion this is very bad business on your end. Thank you for your time. I will see you soon. 

  
  

  Have a great week. 

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