DISCLAIMER: I am not athletic, but like to try new things. For example, I will hike a challenging trail on accident, but if you tell me a bunch of rules I have to follow including how often I have to drink water and what should be in my fanny pack before we can start--I'm done. I must warn you... I did not have the pleasure of stepping foot into the classroom so if that is the intel you are looking for, you should not read any further. But if you are a NEW client thinking about signing up--you should DEFINITELY READ ON.
I was SO excited to try this class at this location--last week I tried to sign up the day before to find out I would be #12 on the waitlist, unlikely to get on, but wouldn't get a phone call until right up until the class started (I was envisioning flying standby in yoga gear outside the studio--not my cup of tea). I ask, what's your advice for me, how many days in advance should I call? She says 2-3. OK, I can follow instructions, or so I thought....
Let's start from the beginning: I am coming from midtown east around 32nd st, take the 6 to union square. I get out and try to find my bearings as I've never been before (admittedly I have no sense of direction) but I have a few minutes until it is 5:30 (when the class starts) so I think I am alright, so close, won't be a problem! I look around and see 80 fifth ave, but not 78. I guess we can boil it down to me being an idiot, but really, how late will I be?
I finally see it, get off the elevator--SO excited--to be greeted by a receptionist who asks me my name, which I tell her slowly and spell out. She finds me, then looks at me and says "Is THAT what you're wearing for the class?" "Well, actually I was planning on ch..." "Nevermind, it doesn't matter anyway, it's 5 minutes past the start time, they are about to plank, which means you can't go in anyway. Shall I schedule another appt for you?" I'm shell shocked, in disbelief-- greater than 5 min and the doors close, sorry for your luck---what plan are you on?
A good question I say, I don't know exactly the details of my pass as I was told I would get an email and I never did. She slowly reads my email to me (as if I might be challenged), yes, it's correct. You probably got the free one week promotion.
Again I become flustered--I PAID money for 5 classes and I was told they were good until Dec. This woman so matter of fact made me feel like I must have misunderstood--"this was on the website, clear for everyone to see"
I guess I must have this issue because I did everything on the phone? "No, that shouldn't be any different"
So clearly... the only person at fault here is me--even though I had no clue about this 5 minute rule or even what type of pass I signed up for? No worries, we allow the first class miss without penalty--I'm going to put a note on your profile that says you understand the cancellation policy now so that NEXT time you will get the $20 penalty email. Thanks. Thanks alot.
What happened next was so unpredictable, I'll spare you the gory details. Basically, a student in the class I "missed" bumped her head on the stereo shelf resulting in a gash just next to her eyeball and gushing blood. As fate would have it, the first aid kit was missing all the supplies to manage a cut "because we never have accidents here" Rita would tell me, and I tried to do some damage control while she was on the phone with her boss figuring out what to do.
I try to convince her to go to the ER because it's always better to be safe than sorry when your face is concerned, and I really hope she decided to go that route. I wouldn't know as I had enough excitement and disappointment in 20min to want to waste anymore time-- I did race out of work to try to get there on time--not because of the threat of the 5 min penalty since I didn't know about it yet--but bc I actually love yoga barre and was really excited to spend every minute of the class enjoying it.
So, I get why the policy exists, but I don't know if this is the right way to deliver it. And the way the receptionist made me feel was really--uncalled for. I REALLY wanted to ask for my money back and was seriously considering eating what I paid just bc I couldn't see how there could possibly be any value in an institution that would have such rules and condone such interactions with patrons. But that's just me. She did so graciously point out that "it's only 5 classes, just take them here or at the other 2 manhattan locations and then you can try out the brooklyn location if you like. I think there's two, I've never been." Thanks again.
So, will I go back? Well yes. I did pay and I can't get a refund, it's too much money for me to just give away. So I will go and hopefully not miss the 5min rule. At least now I know the threat exists--finding out unexpectedly was really tough. I get that the demand is high, but I don't know if you can use that as an excuse to be condescending or make people feel like you're doing them a favor. read more