Pricing Structures.

SDTimeout

Hello all. This is a BJJ related post but I suppose could be applied to other MA's. I just don't know the other rankings as I do BJJ.

I've a mate who is moving to the U.S for college and he's trained with me a few times . So I was just googling local places as I'm hoping to head out to him some time over the Christmas break and I came across this and was just looking for some feedback on it.

As students progress in class and earn higher belts at Valko BJJ, not only does their presence on the mat become more valuable, but their responsibility to help their teammates increases as well. For that reason, we have a dynamic pricing system that rewards and encourages improvement and leadership.

White belt: $130 monthly*
White belt: $650 six months paid in full
White belt: $170 ten pack of classes

Blue belt: $115 monthly*
Blue belt: $575 six months paid in full
Blue belt: $170 ten pack of classes

Purple belt: $100 monthly*
Purple belt: $500 six months paid in full
Purple belt: $170 ten pack of classes

Brown belt: $85 monthly*
Brown belt: $425 six months paid in full
Brown belt: $170 ten pack of classes

Black Belt: $25 monthly
Black Belt: $125 six months paid in full
Black Belt: $50 ten pack of classes
*These prices are for students who are on our automatic payment plan. All students who pay month-by-month will be charged $150 per month. Colored belts from others schools will be charged white belt prices for a period of three months, after which their current belt rank prices will kick in

I don't think we have enough belts in the country to start to implement these sort of pricing structures but I'm just curious has anyone come across this style on their travels. Is it common place ? I don't know but it really struck me as a great idea if there was a large enough market to price it.

Barry.Oglesby

I dunno. I would be a little miffed if someone was paying less than me because he was a certain grade. There's always too much emphasis placed on belts anyway, making them pay less because they're better at jiu jitsu just seems silly.

Besides, some of my most "valuable" members are people who are good club people, not just good on the mats. People who train a little but are involved in the club in other ways such as helping to organise events, tournaments, entice beginners in etc. I'm sure every club is the same, and I'd be more inclined to discount them than anyone else.

And the great big question in that structure is why not just make it cheaper for everyone!

siochain

I know of one ma instructor that has a few clubs in dublin and branch club in cork, the blackbelts are free. It's a reward for commitment and helping out during classes.

SDTimeout

That's what I think the ideology is behind it. I don't know what that gym is like but they claim to have one of the biggest grappling areas in their region. So say for example they get 50 or so guys and there's one black belt. Maybe they feel if they have a few browns or purples there for cheap they will be able to help out too.

Probably a lot of flaws in that and I agree Barry you should help the guys who help you with the more important stuff.

CIARAN_BOYLE

siochain wrote: »

I know of one ma instructor that has a few clubs in dublin and branch club in cork, the blackbelts are free. It's a reward for commitment and helping out during classes.

yep I've seen that as well. Once you are a black belt in the club you are expected to take the class occasionally when the senior instructors aren't available or take a warm up while the senior instructor does some work people needing a bit of individual instruction.

Blackbelts aren't just students but assistant instructors too in some clubs.

Tim_Murphy

That sounds like the worst martial arts pyramid scheme ever to be honest. Better off sticking to proven option of things getting more expensive the higher you get, that's how you know you're getting good. €100 for 1st dan grading, €200 for 2nd etc.

Hanley

I suppose the other argument is that if someone's gone from white to brown/black in the same gym they've shown loyalty and paid a sh*t ton of cash over the years... and are now being rewarded for that.

Gorey_R

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

That sounds like the worst martial arts pyramid scheme ever to be honest. Better off sticking to proven option of things getting more expensive the higher you get, that's how you know you're getting good. €100 for 1st dan grading, €200 for 2nd etc.

You're going to need a new dobok, let me order it for you.

Doug Cartel

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

That sounds like the worst martial arts pyramid scheme ever to be honest. Better off sticking to proven option of things getting more expensive the higher you get, that's how you know you're getting good. €100 for 1st dan grading, €200 for 2nd etc.

I can understand needing to charge more for higher gradings because of the costs incurred in flying in suitable grading officers, etc, but the idea that you pay more because you're better sounds like a bit of a cod to me.

I don't think class fees should be related to grade, but if somebody is asked to work as an assistant instructor for more than a couple of classes, they should probably be paid for it.

Doug Cartel

Gorey_R wrote: »

You're going to need a new dobok, let me order it for you.

Back when I was living in Edinburgh, there was a place that did this. They had some fancy doboks.

Tim_Murphy

Doug Cartel wrote: »

I can understand needing to charge more for higher gradings because of the costs incurred in flying in suitable grading officers, etc, but the idea that you pay more because you're better sounds like a bit of a cod to me.

Heretic!

paulmclaughlin

Just seen a huge flaw in this design. Instructors have more incentive to holding people back...

Burkatron

paulmclaughlin wrote: »

Just seen a huge flaw in this design. Instructors have more incentive to holding people back...

Not if gradings are done by an external instructor!? The only way they'd be able to hold people back then would be through **** teaching & that would (should) sort itself out if their's enough competition in the area