Hi, I am trying to get a dance team to allow us to register for only two months since we will be moving. Their current policy is that you have to register for a 3 month commitment, but we want to register for only June and July. This is an acrodance team - my dd is a good gymnast and they will have a performance in July so she'll be there for one performance this way. What is a nice way to word this request?
To my knowledge, they haven't choreographed the July performance yet...I think they really want my dd because she's a level 8 gymnast and already has the skills most kids are working on. It appears they have room for her to be on the team...it's not like they would bump someone else in her place.
I would just be honest and if they say no, then consider paying for the 3 months.
Or see if they fill up this camp and if they don't, then ask them to contact you , so that you can at least register for the 2 months.
I completely understand, but I also have my own business and I charge my prices for a reason.
Is the July performance going to be repeated after you've left? Leaving them with an unfilled spot? They have the rule for a reason, I'm sure.
I suppose there's no harm in asking - but the answer might still be 'No'.
Since they are a team - do they compete?
Will your daughter not being there for the 3rd month mess up their competition(s)?
Just state the facts plainly.
'We'd like to participate for June and July but we can not in Aug because we are moving out of the area. Would it be alright for our daughter to be there for only June and July?".
Moving can be a really busy time.
I'm not really sure you are going to have the time for this in your last remaining months.
Are you willing to pay the three months' fee if your daughter can only use it for two? Think about that before you ask.
Perhaps the purpose of the three-month rule is to eliminate the dancers who would otherwise come for two or three weeks and then (annoyingly) disappear. So make it clear why you want an exception:
"Is it possible for my daughter to register for the dance team for two months instead of three? We'll be moving away in August, but it would be a great experience for Jeannie to be able to work with you for as much of the summer as she can."
The worst they can do is say no and roll on the floor laughing, so go ahead and ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
JJ
Are you military? If you are military and moving simply state,
Due to our military commitment, we will be PCing in August. We respectfully request you to waive the 3 month rule and allow us to sign for June and July.
If you aren't military? June is already half over (well, close enough) so you'd be signing up for 6 weeks instead of 12 weeks.
Are you willing to pay for all 12 weeks to allow for the exception? Then so state. State WHY you are moving (new job, help a family member, etc.) just tell the truth.
Good luck!!
You can ask however you want to ask and it will be what it will be but I would go ahead and pay for the 3 months and let them know my daughter can only commit to two months becasue we are moving. It would be the best move for your daughter and the team in my opinion.
If they say no, time to find another area for your daughter to shine in. No harm there.
I wanted to see if you might be able to accommodate us for two months instead of three only because we are moving. We dont want to miss out on two months with an amazing dance team but wont be able to participate the last month due to the move. Please let me know if we can work this out.
That's a tough one because of course it will be next to impossible for them to "sell" the extra month to another child. So they will lose money if they allow you to register. I'm sure they face this all the time with families in the summer who want to go on vacation, send kids to camp, etc. So they are going to ask for the full 3 months of tuition/fees, even though they know some people won't attend all the time.
And of course, the added problem is that you will be moving so you will no longer be a customer of theirs. So their motivation to bend to your schedule is even less than it would be if they were trying to please an ongoing client.
I think your best best it to be honest: "We are moving but we have so loved being a part of your program that we would love for our child to have a final wonderful experience before we leave the area." Indicate that you know why they have a rule and that you support it-- "We know that you have a business to run, and that it is strengthened by good instructors who are paid out of registration dollars." You are cutting their income by 1/3, so that has to be made up somehow, either by cutting out staff, reducing a coach's pay, or bringing in another kid for the final month (which throws off the dynamics and the instruction).
Your other option is to pay the full 3 months and let them know you will be leaving. Or you can ask to be wait-listed if they don't fill their roster and then would be willing to take your child on a 2-month basis (because 2/3 of their fee is better than no fee at all).
I think you will get more consideration from them if you word it from THEIR perspective and also how much your child will get out of it (based on past experience or on their reputation as a team) than if you take the "I can only afford X" or "I don't want to pay for what I'm not using" approach.
I can see this from both points of view. I would think they probably do 3 months commitments 4 times per year. This way they have even income year round.
Our studio does trimesters that go from August to November, November to February, February to May. They get 12 weeks each session. Then in summer we do 8 weeks. But only the older kids do dance, it's by invitation. The teacher takes more time during summer because she is choreographing the next May's recital and figuring out the costumes and costs, etc...that is the only time of year she has much extra time.
I think the owner expects to have that income for that period of time. If they won't let you do just 2 months why not skip doing this place since it's a transition place and won't be someone you ever deal with again. Your child won't suddenly stop being a dancer, they can do stretches at home if they love it.
You could also choose to simply pay the amount then go as much as possible.
I'd pay in person and explain to the person your plans for moving and ask if two months is possible. However, I'd also be fully prepared to just bite the bullet and pay for the extra month.
Looks like the original post changed a little with more info -- thanks. I would just tell them: She can do two months and not three; is that doable? Be prepared to hear no; they might be pretty firm that they want dancers to continue past the July performance. They might use the dances from that performance for the later one, leaving them having to rearrange things when she leaves. And I'd still consider whether she will be frustrated by doing the team only up to a point and not beyond it.
They might indeed have let other kids in the past do only part of the summer, so ask, but have a backup plan if they say no, which would seem likely. I would still recommend finding another program in gymnastics or dance that doesn't require a commitment you can't make.
