He made me cry

IvanOpinion

There is no doubt that given the OP the man was out of line but is there not a bit of a witch hunt going on here based on one side of a story? Anybody can have a bad day. The man apologised, albeit qualified and, for the OP the original problem has been resolved - barring hurt feelings. Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but, without going into detail, I have spent a lot of time over the last few days consoling a friend who has REAL problems in their life ... they would be over the moon if this was their biggest problem.

Maybe a little bit of perspective is necessary.

Ivan

isayoldchap

IvanOpinion wrote:

There is no doubt that given the OP the man was out of line but is there not a bit of a witch hunt going on here based on one side of a story? Anybody can have a bad day. The man apologised, albeit qualified and, for the OP the original problem has been resolved - barring hurt feelings. Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but, without going into detail, I have spent a lot of time over the last few days consoling a friend who has REAL problems in their life ... they would be over the moon if this was their biggest problem.

Maybe a little bit of perspective is necessary.

Ivan

Needs still to be reported to be logged against the manager.Clearly he needs to read the T&C's and have a refresher course.We all are impressed with his
trips etc and I'm sure he has received the credits he deserves,however he has stepped over the mark and should be reprimanded.Hope you remain strong :A

Fran

Squidgy wrote:

I suggested a refund for the four weeks. At this point the man I was speaking to (the manager) started shouting at me down the phone telling me it wasn't his problem, that that was their policy and that I was trying to screw a charity - his exact words (I didn't even know it was a charity!) He laid in to me for the next few minutes until I felt myself getting upset and I put the phone down on him.

A few minutes later he called me back and apologised - telling me not to cry, as I was now sobbing down the phone. But still managing to make it clear that it was all my fault and that I'd ruined it for everyone else, and now they'd have to spend hundreds of pounds of the charities money getting all the leaflets re-worded. He said people were always trying to get something for nothing and that basically it was my fault for making him angry with me.

Ivan, this is more than a small outburst, he kept going on for a few minutes and even had a go at her when he phoned to apologise! If the man is ill or has other problems, they need sorting out, but they won't be sorted out if people just accept his behaviour.

culpepper

How is his Gym a charity?
Do all the proceeds go to the charity then or does he run a charity and also the Gym?
It sounds like other mums and dads have asked for alternative gym sessions when they have missed some and he is finding that some weeks he seems to be just providing free gym. Thats entirely his fault for promising this in his brochure.
I think he IS being sarcastic to suggest you provide him with alternative wording.
If it was me ,I would not be taking my youngster back but then that would mean I had forfeit the cost of the sessions as that is what was offered in the brochure.

aeuerby

Why not try citizen's advice and see what they suggest? Your local one may have already come across this man and his gym.

We had a letter come home from school the other week saying that a gymnastics club was starting and you have to pay x amount for the first x amount of weeks in advance. I can't remember the full in's and out's but I'm fairly sure they also wanted a post dated cheque for the next term's lessons. It also said that the child must attend all the sessions and there would be no refunds if they don't.

Anyway my daughter didn't want to go so there was no problem but it all seemed a bit inflexible to me - especially if children haven't done gymnastics before and after 1 or 2 lessons decide they don't like it. I would also be concerned about handing over a post dated cheque.

Poppy9

I have to say I was surprised he gave a credit at all for missed lessons, but thats his look out if its in his T&C. All the activities I have signed upto including dancing (ballet, tap etc), drama, swimming, gymnastics, french club, Brownies etc you have to pay a term or 8 weeks in advance. If you miss a session you do not get any credit. I can understand why clubs do this as they have to pay a teacher, room hire, insurance etc even if you don't turn up and they are only allowed a max. number of children in each class so to keep costs reasonable they base the weekly price on this. Ballet and tap allowed taster sessions where you could pay weekly for 3 weeks but after this you cough up. I have to pay for swimming club, £30 per month, by direct debit. If we miss through illness there is no refund.

The only pay as you go club I can remember was Mother & Toddlers :rolleyes:

Spendless

Poppy9 wrote:

The only pay as you go club I can remember was Mother & Toddlers :rolleyes:

The mums and tots nearest to me has started charging for missed sessions, even though the other 4 (2 in same village, 2 in surrounding villages) don't charge if you miss. It's one of the reasons i don't attend even though it is on my street.

Tumbletots always charged for missed sessions, sons playgroup used to ask you to pay half, the private nursery allows 2 weeks holiday a year without payment as does the swimming club.

What did you decide to do Squidgy?

Poppy9

Gosh its been so long I forgot about private nursery fees. The nursery I used didn't give any weeks holiday per year. You paid monthly for all sessions you would normally attend even if it was a bank holiday. Luckily I worked part time so only used the nursery Weds-Fri am and most bank holidays were Mondays. It used to p me off though. I suppose I could have found a nursery that gave free weeks but I would have probably have paid a higher rate for days used to make up the cost. Also I really liked the staff in the nursery I chose. They had such a low turnover of staff which was one of the major deciding factors for me. They were by no means the best equiped nursery (but how many toys etc does a baby need) but the atmosphere was brill and they allowed parents to sit and play with kids when delivering or collecting which other nurseries didn't. I thought this proved they had nothing to hide. Even now when we see staff from there they are still working there 7 years later and still make a big fuss of the kids.

Our mother & toddlers was run by the local C of E church. A few ladies of mature years doing their bit. Just a quid in the tray as you entered. Free raffle every week with whatever they had as a prize and tea, juice and biscuit. They even used to put on a xmas party for us.

Spendless

Poppy9 wrote:

Gosh its been so long I forgot about private nursery fees. The nursery I used didn't give any weeks holiday per year. You paid monthly for all sessions you would normally attend even if it was a bank holiday. Luckily I worked part time so only used the nursery Weds-Fri am and most bank holidays were Mondays. It used to p me off though. I suppose I could have found a nursery that gave free weeks but I would have probably have paid a higher rate for days used to make up the cost. Also I really liked the staff in the nursery I chose.

Yes i do pay more per session than those that don't charge but i have similar reasons to yourself for choosing it. You only get the free holiday weeks after attending for 3 months now, whereas when son went you got it straight away. Daughter only started there yesterday, as they don't take children under 2 and it was her birthday last week. She's going on a Friday afternoon so i have time to get the house straight for the weekend so its costing for me to attend but we are getting the time back to be able to spend more time as a family over the weekend.

The nursery my sister sent the twins though asked for payment for the day the twins should have gone but the nursery was shut (it fell on Christmas day that they should have gone). I was appalled though i've no idea if other nurseries do this?

Anyway i'm going off topic. How are you now Squidgy

Savvy_Sue

Spendless wrote:

The mums and tots nearest to me has started charging for missed sessions, even though the other 4 (2 in same village, 2 in surrounding villages) don't charge if you miss. It's one of the reasons i don't attend even though it is on my street.

they might be doing that because they're running at full capacity and have a waiting list, so want to make sure that they're not keeping some people out while other people aren't really coming regularly any more.