ShakaZulu
Contributor
There is no need for private classes....save your money for gear.
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There is no need for private classes....save your money for gear.
My daughter and I are going to sign up for OW training with a local LDS. The normal rates are $250 group and $475 private. I'm planning on booking a "semi-private" for the 2 of us as a group.
Do you need to make money from every transaction, every class, every sale? Some shop owners or instructors think you do, while others, who may fall under the "wiser business owner" category, recognize that your business plan should be based on an amortization of costs over a period of time, divided by a number of students over that same time. If you have a big class, you have surplus funding for costs....if it is a small class, then you dip into that funding. At the end of the year, or whatever period you choose, it should all work out.
My daughter and I are going to sign up for OW training with a local LDS. The normal rates are $250 group and $475 private. I'm planning on booking a "semi-private" for the 2 of us as a group.
As LDS owners I am interested in your opinion of the following:
Since we're not going to actually have individual instructors and schedules I thought that it would be fair to approach the LDS owner and ask that we not pay the full $950 for two private lessons and pay full price for any gear we might buy or that we pay the full $950 and get some sort of discount on gear.
My point is that I do want to support my LDS, and understand that they have to cover their overheads beyond the internet stores, and that they provide a benefit ,etc,. I want to start and keep our relationship positively but I also want to save myself some dive money without being a ______. I guess you can tell that I already think that what I propose sounds fair - to both. What's your opinion?
Feel free to answer via PM if you wish your view to remain private.
Thanks
ps
Please folks, (and this is addressed to people who are not business owners) I'm NOT interested in replies of "let them earn my money"..."sink or swim", etc.
mods - sorry if this in in the wrong place...if so, please move
Speaking as a former LDS owner /manager,now a full time instructor:
We charge $600. for a private one on one class..if there are 2 people then it is $500.each..Normal fee for group ranges from $199. to $239-$269. depends on what schedule chose. The customer names the schedule,any time any day or night for classroom and pool..That is for classroom and pool only..Training dives cost more $..The customer is paying for the convience of the scheduling and private instruction.Cost to facility to run a private class is more because of pool time/instructor time is not shared with a group.We also only offer private class schedule to young students (under 12) as to not disrupt others in a more formal class setting.We also offer to the parent and or guardian of the child to take the class in this type of situation at no charge.If purchasing a full equipment package(exposure suit/bcd/regulator/gauges-computer) ,yes, something can be done on the price.
For the people who tell students to take lessons at the LDS but buy gear online;go ahead that is your freedom of choice,but when the cost to take a ow course is $200. more than what is now currently being charged at most locations or only offered on a private basis-at the private price please do not complain.It is a business and has to be profitable to survive.If not then LDS will close and it diving will generally be less accessible to the general public. Years ago I had a customer that HAD to be done by a certain date.I generously offered him the class,at regular group rate-$250.,just for him,to meet his desires.During the first classroom session he tells me that he is not buying ANYTHING from us,no mask,fins,snorkel,boots NOTHING.Expected us to include it in class.After explaining that it is personal gear and required he still refused and wanted to reschedule so that he can go online and purchase said items,after we sized him for it.I gave him back his class fee and told him we cannot train him..As for how often I teach a private class at the rate I stated-alot.More private class request this year than in the past two years combined..Usually have at least 1 going a week.This week alone we have 4 and I start another private one on Monday.