Be Careful Of Which Schools You Choose

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Hey. I just received a call that my martial arts school is filing a legal claim against me for an excess of 300 dollars, so I think it is appropriate now more than ever to preach out so this doesn't happen to anyone else.

I joined Ultimate Martial Arts in Toronto back on September 11th, 2006. On their website, they advertise themselves to be a Mixed Martial Arts school, but in reality, when you get there, they have three classes: a grappling class, a kickboxing class, and a conditioning class. I went to the grappling class a total of 3-4 times, twice in September, once in October, once in November. It was alright, but I was so out of shape that I'd gas out an hour into class, and I figured that I needed some time off to join a gym and improve my conditioning (I prefer working on my conditioning by myself rather than with other people, which is why I didn't take up their conditioning class). So at the end of December, I gave my 30 day notice to put my account on hold (after major consideration that I'd cancel it).

When I joined, they had a promotion going, 20 bucks for the first two months, and then 50 bucks afterwards. Not bad, IMO. They took the first two payments out of my credit card until November, in which my credit card expired, and I didn't get another one afterwards. When I went to put my account on hold in December, they charged me 130 dollars for November's and December's payments (50 + 15 dollar late fee for each month), and I paid off January's 50 dollars for a total of 180. The hold was to be effective February, March, and April. Because I didn't have a credit card on file, the main guy there said he was going to cancel my account, and I should call prior to May to get it reinstated.

Come February, I get a phone call from Ultimate Martial Arts telling me that I owe them January's payment (which I had paid in December, and the phone call was from the same guy). I reminded him that I paid him the month prior, and he said "no problem, I'll take care of it". Now just today, I'm getting a phone call from a legal claims company telling me that I owe an excess of 300 dollars, and that it becomes a lawsuit by 4 PM today if I don't fix it up by then. I just called Ultimate Martial Arts 3 times, and no one's picking up.

I'd appreciate it if this could get stickied, because things like this could be happening everywhere, and before anyone considers getting into the school, they should at the very least do some research on it and make sure it has good credentials.
 
It sounds more like a threat. They are going to hire an attorney for god knows hows much per hour for a 300 dollar bill. I would also think they would turn it over to some collections place first.
 
im also kinda scared that something like this could happen at the place i train at. its sketchy as hell.
 
One school makes an accounting mistake and now it's a global threat?
 
btw, no offense to anyone who trains there, but i just checked out their website and the way they are presented on their site reeks of a mcdojo.
 
I learned the hard way a few gyms ago. Basically never leave a credit card # on file with a gym.
 
It sounds like they just referred the debt to a collection agency.

Keep in mind that the collection agency is there to make a profit, so they don't make any money from taking you to court and losing. In fact, it would cost them at least a thousand dollars to do so.

It sounds like you don't really owe this debt, so you can dispute this with the collection agency. Here's a site with some basic information: http://www.bbbsilicon.org/topic017.html

Basically, you just need to write them a letter officially contesting the debt with some sort of proof that you paid off everything on time. Just attach a copy of the receipt or credit card statement or canceled check or whatever.
 
Balto said:
It sounds like they just referred the debt to a collection agency.

Keep in mind that the collection agency is there to make a profit, so they don't make any money from taking you to court and losing. In fact, it would cost them at least a thousand dollars to do so.

It sounds like you don't really owe this debt, so you can dispute this with the collection agency. Here's a site with some basic information: http://www.bbbsilicon.org/topic017.html

Basically, you just need to write them a letter officially contesting the debt with some sort of proof that you paid off everything on time. Just attach a copy of the receipt or credit card statement or canceled check or whatever.
Click to expand...


Balto, thanks for posting. there's definately some useful information in there.
 
Worst case scenario, they DO file a case. It will almost assuredly be small claims court, based on the amount in question.

Just take in all of your documentation. You will win.
 
Also do a google search on the FDCPA (fair debt collection practices act
it limits what a debt collector can and cannot do on behalf of hsi client.

So if they BUG and you get nowhere with them ask them to VALIDATE the debt, they have 30days to do so. If not they have to stop else be subject ot fines of up to $1K...not worth a 300 bill that may or may not have been paid. Also tell them you have credit card statemtns and/or checks that show you paid for the time being contested.

Anyways if they "think" you are educated about this stuff they will bully someone else for a debt they may or may not know. Remember collection agancies are there to make money. Many dont care if its your bill or not and others have been lied to so many times they wont believe you anyway.

Here is a link that might help:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm


Some tools for your toolkit

CEASING COMMUNICATION. If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except --

(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector's further efforts are being terminated;

(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or

(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt
Click to expand...

MORE.....

) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing --

(1) the amount of the debt;

(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;

(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.
Click to expand...


good luck
 
This is why I love my school. No contracts or any bull like that. Pay the first day of the month that you have class. You don't go for a month; you don't have to pay. You decide to quit; you don't have to pay for any future months that you're not going to be training there.
 
Good post on how to deal with this case.

Its good to have this information and even though I am not on a contract either, thanks to the guys who posted helpful info on the subject.
 
What the hel are you doing with not paying -pay your debts. i would come after you too.

The should sue you in the way you acted. You need to grow up buddy.
 
I used to be a member of UMA also, and when i felt that the place wasn't right for me (they cut their grappling program from 6 day a week to 3) , i talked to Kru Paul (Owner) and he let me off the 1 year contract. He couldn't had been nicer and more understanding. Kru Paul is there to train fighters and not to just take there money. Sounds like a misunderstanding to me, and you should go in during the evenings when Paul's in and talk to him.
 
1) never give a school your credit card always pay with cash.

2) never give them your adress

3) save all your paper work
 
Coming from a family of hustlers; allow me to connote that a COLLECTOR IS *NOT* A LAWYER AND COLLECTORS WILL OFTEN PRETEND TO BE LAWYERS**********!!

do a google on it. i've been aware of their scare tactics for years now.

=]

hope this helps
 
ps: mma gyms aren't the only ones with issues like this.

GYMS ARE THE FUCKING WORST!
 
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