Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Mar 28, 2020 1:58:49 GMT
Ah, I see. Our dance year was going to end mid April. We'll see how much that changes now, once she is able to pick a recital date. Ours goes till the long weekend in May. Our recital weekend is the long weekend in May. We are crossing our fingers the performing arts center will be opened by then. It's my daughter's Decade of Dance year. It's a special honor and to miss out is akin to missing your senior prom, graduations etc. But like I said to a friend of mine, 10 years from now that plaque will be a dust collector in the bottom of a box or drawer somewhere so I have to remember that. But it's still sad.
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Post by crittsmom on Mar 28, 2020 2:00:03 GMT
if they aren't offering to extend it, then I wouldn't pay it. My gym is suspending payments as of April 1st, been closed for half of March. My passes for the amusement parks are being extended for each day they are closed. I would expect that at least.
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Post by lucyg on Mar 28, 2020 2:01:01 GMT
Our tae kwon do studio is doing online classes and testing, and of course we’re still paying.
I think if you care about keeping the service around after this ends, you will keep paying. Keep them alive. Of course I’m talking about if you still have an income.
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 28, 2020 2:04:30 GMT
My kids take dance at nonprofit local dance companies. Those companies will go under if they do not get a few months of payments.
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Post by busy on Mar 28, 2020 2:05:14 GMT
I would continue to pay, assuming I wanted the business to still be there when this is all over. They still have rent, utilities and other things to pay.
Of course, they should offer a way to opt-out since a lot of people have lost income due to this and may not be able to afford to continue. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with asking.
I’m still paying my small, locally owned gym and will continue to do so.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,953
Jun 27, 2014 19:06:19 GMT
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Post by samantha25 on Mar 28, 2020 2:06:59 GMT
Depends on what the contract says...if you pay for an 8 week session then I would hope the gym would give makeup classes for that session for classes that were canceled. No way would I pay for the next session. If gym suggests payment with no compromise then maybe need to find a new gym.
Dd aerial dance class we paid for a full 15 weeks. They are closed, after about 8 weeks and we will be able to make up all classes at a later date.
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Post by mom on Mar 28, 2020 2:08:10 GMT
Nope, I would not be paying. I have had time to think about this and want to change my answer, lol. I would keep paying. I was due for a haircut last week and went ahead and paid her even though I didn't go. But I did know that if I did so, she would make up the appointment at a later date.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 28, 2020 2:25:59 GMT
If I could afford to pay I would. I would be honest and let them know if you cannot.
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Post by swtpeasmom on Mar 28, 2020 2:44:59 GMT
Thank you all for your responses! We are still working at this point (essential), but not knowing if she's still paying the teachers and KNOWiNG that many that attend classes here are NOT working and may not have the same income and resources, the fact that she requests payment does bother us. If she shared that she was paying the teachers, that would make us feel better about paying. But, the fact that she can claim unemployment benefits as well as collect payment from unknowing parents rubs us the wrong way. Everyone has already paid for March and they didn't have classes for over half the month.....
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Post by katlady on Mar 28, 2020 2:48:51 GMT
I don't know what my gym is going to do. Dues are paid on the 1st and nothing has been said. However, they are continuing to offer programming and they are doing online workouts at set times. They also let us borrow equipment for home use. My SO and I are still working (from home), so I don't have a problem with paying since we are getting something in return. It is a tough time for both sides.
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Mar 28, 2020 2:57:15 GMT
If she shared that she was paying the teachers, that would make us feel better about paying. But, the fact that she can claim unemployment benefits as well as collect payment from unknowing parents rubs us the wrong way. Maybe she feels that's not something she can discuss with clients and is something that is between her and her teachers? I am surprised she can file for unemployment as a small business owner. I never realized that. I guess i never imagine an owner paying themselves a salary with deductions that they pay for unemployment insurance.
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Post by mom2samlibby on Mar 28, 2020 3:08:44 GMT
Ah, I see. Our dance year was going to end mid April. We'll see how much that changes now, once she is able to pick a recital date. Ours goes till the long weekend in May. Our recital weekend is the long weekend in May. We are crossing our fingers the performing arts center will be opened by then. It's my daughter's Decade of Dance year. It's a special honor and to miss out is akin to missing your senior prom, graduations etc. But like I said to a friend of mine, 10 years from now that plaque will be a dust collector in the bottom of a box or drawer somewhere so I have to remember that. But it's still sad. Mine is a senior.
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Post by busy on Mar 28, 2020 3:29:15 GMT
Even if she's not paying her teachers (and unless she can pay them in full, they are probably better off with her not paying them at all because then they can claim unemployment), still has fixed costs that don't go away because it's closed.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,953
Jun 27, 2014 19:06:19 GMT
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Post by samantha25 on Mar 28, 2020 4:16:03 GMT
Thank you all for your responses! We are still working at this point (essential), but not knowing if she's still paying the teachers and KNOWiNG that many that attend classes here are NOT working and may not have the same income and resources, the fact that she requests payment does bother us. If she shared that she was paying the teachers, that would make us feel better about paying. But, the fact that she can claim unemployment benefits as well as collect payment from unknowing parents rubs us the wrong way. Everyone has already paid for March and they didn't have classes for over half the month..... I wouldn't worry about what she can do. it's her business. if she provides a good service and you want to support that than do....rubs a wrong way is just a feeling on your part. Says a lot about her business how she treats her employees and customers. and well boo hoo most businesses have been shut down for half of march. suck it up buttercup.
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Post by chaosisapony on Mar 28, 2020 4:28:10 GMT
If I could afford it I would pay as usual but I wouldn't put myself in a position of hardship to do so. Small businesses run on such tight margins, I like to be able to support them when I can.
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Post by elaine on Mar 28, 2020 4:32:46 GMT
As a business owner, the only way she could file for unemployment and receive it is if she paid unemployment taxes on her own salary. So, she has paid into the system and that shouldn’t be your worry, if the government decides she qualifies.
She can’t cook the books, because your checks will be deposited into the business account, etc.
It may be that what she is able to get paid by the few parents willing to without lessons is enough to cover building costs - rent, utilities, etc. - but not enough for her salary, which is all she can get out of unemployment.
Decide for yourself whether or not you want to pay her to help keep the studio afloat without lessons during these times. The unemployment thing has nothing to do with whether you pay in or not - I think you haven’t really thought through what unemployment reimburses and how much the costs involved are to run the physical building the studio is housed in.
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Post by andreasmom on Mar 28, 2020 4:44:49 GMT
If my payment is paying for their employee’s (full) salaries I’m good. I will not pay dues to places who let their people go w/o payment.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,953
Jun 27, 2014 19:06:19 GMT
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Post by samantha25 on Mar 28, 2020 5:20:35 GMT
If my payment is paying for their employee’s (full) salaries I’m good. I will not pay dues to places who let their people go w/o payment. [/quo It's the owners money...they may need to let people go. Those people can apply for unemployment if they are laid off. You have no say on what they do. Give them grace. Either support or not. Don't complain.
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Post by fiddlesticks on Mar 28, 2020 5:24:58 GMT
My DD is doing live classes so we are going to pay. That being said, I work at the front desk, well usually I do, and the director has shared that some people are having to drop. She won’t be able to survive without doing the live classes and having people continue to pay.
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Mar 28, 2020 5:47:17 GMT
We have already paid for the dance classes for the year for both girls. I figure we’re just out the money. She is doing on line classes. To be honest, I’d prefer she reduced her classes on line and offered a bit of a discount - maybe 10 or 15% off our mandatory summer hours.
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Julie W
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Jun 27, 2014 22:11:06 GMT
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Post by Julie W on Mar 28, 2020 13:56:18 GMT
If my payment is paying for their employee’s (full) salaries I’m good. I will not pay dues to places who let their people go w/o payment. This is absolutely where I am struggling with DD14's circus arts school which is a non-profit. We are billed by session, with having paid the current session which ends the first week of May - it's been closed 2 weeks and it's not looking good for the rest of the time given the current restrictions. There really isn't a way to conduct class for most things online, though they are working on some videos, I'm guessing for conditioning. So we paid and I was fine with that, not looking for a refund, but I learned that some of the coaches are salaried and some are hourly, and they did lay off the hourly coaches, even though families would have paid through the end of the session. And yes, they will not likely be making money on their spring shows (like a recital) so they are probably trying to make it up, but still the laying off of the hourly coaches really bothered me.
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Post by swtpeasmom on Mar 28, 2020 14:05:00 GMT
Thank you all for your responses! We are still working at this point (essential), but not knowing if she's still paying the teachers and KNOWiNG that many that attend classes here are NOT working and may not have the same income and resources, the fact that she requests payment does bother us. If she shared that she was paying the teachers, that would make us feel better about paying. But, the fact that she can claim unemployment benefits as well as collect payment from unknowing parents rubs us the wrong way. Everyone has already paid for March and they didn't have classes for over half the month..... I wouldn't worry about what she can do. it's her business. if she provides a good service and you want to support that than do....rubs a wrong way is just a feeling on your part. Says a lot about her business how she treats her employees and customers. and well boo hoo most businesses have been shut down for half of march. suck it up buttercup. Not getting the bitchiness, but go nuts. It's her business that she could potentially be taking advantage of people. Guessing you must be doing the same thing with your response.
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Post by swtpeasmom on Mar 28, 2020 14:05:59 GMT
As a business owner, the only way she could file for unemployment and receive it is if she paid unemployment taxes on her own salary. So, she has paid into the system and that shouldn’t be your worry, if the government decides she qualifies. She can’t cook the books, because your checks will be deposited into the business account, etc. It may be that what she is able to get paid by the few parents willing to without lessons is enough to cover building costs - rent, utilities, etc. - but not enough for her salary, which is all she can get out of unemployment. Decide for yourself whether or not you want to pay her to help keep the studio afloat without lessons during these times. The unemployment thing has nothing to do with whether you pay in or not - I think you haven’t really thought through what unemployment reimburses and how much the costs involved are to run the physical building the studio is housed in. In our state, they are allowing for those that are self-employed to file for unemployment. I think it's great for them.
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Post by elaine on Mar 28, 2020 14:13:52 GMT
As a business owner, the only way she could file for unemployment and receive it is if she paid unemployment taxes on her own salary. So, she has paid into the system and that shouldn’t be your worry, if the government decides she qualifies. She can’t cook the books, because your checks will be deposited into the business account, etc. It may be that what she is able to get paid by the few parents willing to without lessons is enough to cover building costs - rent, utilities, etc. - but not enough for her salary, which is all she can get out of unemployment. Decide for yourself whether or not you want to pay her to help keep the studio afloat without lessons during these times. The unemployment thing has nothing to do with whether you pay in or not - I think you haven’t really thought through what unemployment reimburses and how much the costs involved are to run the physical building the studio is housed in. In our state, they are allowing for those that are self-employed to file for unemployment. I think it's great for them. Yes, and as a small business owner that has a number of employees on her payroll and a physical facility to run, she isn’t simply “self-employed.” She is a business owner that has employees and has to follow those regulations. She pays taxes on all her employees and submits a tax return yearly just for the business. If she were to file for unemployment, her social security number would pull up all that information. So, no, she isn’t like someone who runs a business-of-one out of her home when applying for unemployment. Do what you feel comfortable with, but all that I stated in my first post stands. Reading the scenario, it doesn’t sound to me like she is cheating the system or the parents. That is my take. It sounds like you don’t trust her on a fundamental financial level for whatever reasons - so, you need to decide to do is best for your family and your finances.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
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Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Mar 28, 2020 14:18:44 GMT
i wouldn't pay. but my finances are very uncertain as i am unemployed and looking for a job right now is.... not great timing. i need to watch every cent for things that i know i need over this next undetermined timeframe, not for dance lessons that didn't happen.
my payments for dance class have been suspended. summer camp sent email yesterday saying lump amount after deposit that was due march 31 is on hold and they will be in touch later when things are more certain. that camp is for the last two weeks of july.
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RosieKat
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Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 28, 2020 18:36:49 GMT
We are still paying for gymnastics (20 hours per week, so not minor). I am the team parent so I'm close enough to the coaches to ask if they were still being paid. My personal conclusion is that as long as they are being paid, I'll keep paying the gym. But if that stops, I'm just going to send them the money directly. I'd have to dis-enroll, but I know the coaches would let my son rejoin in a heartbeat.
We are in a situation that enables us to continue to do this for now. If that changes, I might have to rethink my plan.
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Post by alsomsknit on Mar 28, 2020 18:41:01 GMT
If I could afford to I’d continue paying; however if my own income was lost I would not be able to. This is how I feel. If those of us who can continue to pay for things do so, hopefully it will keep businesses afloat until this mess is over. At the same time, I would hope said businesses would take into consideration that services aren’t being provided during that time period and tack it onto the end of the service period.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Mar 28, 2020 18:51:02 GMT
i wouldn't pay. but my finances are very uncertain as i am unemployed and looking for a job right now is.... not great timing. i need to watch every cent for things that i know i need over this next undetermined timeframe, not for dance lessons that didn't happen. If you can't, don't. The best approach is to look at your finances and make your decision based on what you can realistically afford right now. You shouldn't feel guilty that you're suspending payments if your finances have been affected by the spread of the virus or if you need to prioritise your spending because you're helping to support someone whose finances have been affected. Not everyone can afford to help keep all the small businesses they usually use afloat, alas.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
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Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on Mar 28, 2020 20:42:36 GMT
i wouldn't pay. but my finances are very uncertain as i am unemployed and looking for a job right now is.... not great timing. i need to watch every cent for things that i know i need over this next undetermined timeframe, not for dance lessons that didn't happen. If you can't, don't. The best approach is to look at your finances and make your decision based on what you can realistically afford right now. You shouldn't feel guilty that you're suspending payments if your finances have been affected by the spread of the virus or if you need to prioritise your spending because you're helping to support someone whose finances have been affected. Not everyone can afford to help keep all the small businesses they usually use afloat, alas. i should clarify - dance class has been paid for til june. and i certainly don't expect any money back. it is for the full season - while you can pay in three month instalments, at the time i had more money available. what i am not paying is for the "extra" add-on classes that aren't happening right now. our studio also was kind enough to not expect $$ for the costumes for the big end of year show which normally occurs in june (who knows if that will happen) which would normally be due now. my heart goes out to all the small business owners who are just doing their best to stay afloat. luckily, i understand our government has approved some EI-type program for those folks who are self employed (that normally wouldn't be eligible for EI benefits) so i am sure that will help - but certainly not solve all their problems. ![:'(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cry.png)
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Post by gale w on Apr 7, 2020 0:43:24 GMT
DD had her first virtual dance class today, via zoom. It was 2 hours and she said it went well (she did it in her bedroom so I didn't see). I guess this is how they're doing it now and we'll still be paying monthly. Recital was supposed to be in early June but I can't imagine that happening. Hopefully it will at some point since we've all paid $300 for costumes and recital fees.
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