Karate School recommendations - Bridgewater/Somerville/Raritan (Manville: sales, credit card) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

brigsim · 03-04-2012, 11:57 AM

My 5 year old son really wants to take karate lessons. We tried one school but we were not happy with how it was run so I'm looking for some other suggestions. I'm looking in the general area of Bridgewater, Somerville and Raritan but places nearby like Hillsborough and Branchburg are fine too. I'd just prefer a place that 10 minutes away rather than 30. Thanks!

PeterPickle · 03-04-2012, 01:08 PM

I'm not at all impresset by karate guys. Four years ago one challanged me and my buddy's in a bard, we soon polished him off easy. I'd recomend Kung Fu.

dsmgvr4 · 03-04-2012, 02:55 PM

Try Red Dragon Martial Arts in Manville off Main St. Guru Theodorczek teaches Jeet Kune Do concepts, Filipino Martial Arts, Indonesian Silat and American Kenpo Karate. He has children's classes. Very functional arts that can help with self defense and discipline. If you unfamiliar with these arts.....its like Bourne Identity type kind of stuff..lol

His school is great for kids. reddragonmartialarts.com

digi21 · 03-04-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterPickle

I'm not at all impresset by karate guys. Four years ago one challanged me and my buddy's in a bard, we soon polished him off easy. I'd recomend Kung Fu.

I can tell you where NOT to go: Somerville Martial Arts Academy in Somerville. Totally crooked and unethical business practices.
My daughter took a session of classes there. They called me to enroll her in a 2nd session of classes. I tried to decline explaining that my husband is deployed and I just can't get my daughter there anymore since I have 2 other kids. It's just too much for me to handle right now. They gave the hard sell, won't-take-no-for-an-answer, pressure sales tactic. I was tired and I had kids screaming for dinner so I gave in. I tried canceling later (before she started the 2nd session of classes). I called twice and emailed. They never responded. I tried to dispute the charge on my credit card but they claimed I signed a binding contact. Somehow I am supposed to remember the terms of a contract I signed 9 months ago and was NOT given a copy of (I thought I was signing a medical release). They never felt any need to respond to my calls/emails to let me know that they don't give refunds and that my daughter was missing classes. I tried to go over there and talk to them. The owner actually raised his voice at me and shut the door in my face. Why would I take my kid back there now? I've lost hundreds of dollars with no recourse. They don't care.

These are the same guys that run anti-bullying classes for Bridgewater Township; yet they are the biggest bullies out there.

Don't sign a contact with any of these martial arts studios!!!

dsmgvr4 · 03-04-2012, 07:56 PM

Agreed! Never sign a contract. Contracts are sooooo old anyway. Pay as you go. Just like gym memeberships......you can cancel anytime these days. Merchants are desperate for business anyways these days due to the economy.

digi21 · 03-04-2012, 08:03 PM

I'm sure that's part of the problem - they desperately need the money so they are being complete jerks. My biggest issue is that they didn't even try to contact me and work something out which would have been good business practice. I'm not unreasonable but the fact that they wouldn't even make an effort says something about their lack of business ethics. It would explain why their classes are dying off. There were 2 kids in the class when I went to talk to them (which begs the question of why they were "too busy" to talk to me!).

brigsim · 03-05-2012, 09:32 AM

Yes, I'm well aware of the problems with Somerville Marital Arts Academy and will not return there. My kid didn't learn anything useful anyway other than how to move his hands around in some dopey rhythm.

Thanks for the other suggestions!