Like so many others, we were lied to about the cancellation process. It is near impossible to cancel your membership, despite what the employees tell you when they try to get you to sign up.

What they also neglect to tell you about, in addition the the $125-$150/mo is the initial $250 bag of equipment (that they insist you buy from them for "insurance purposes"), the cost of a new weapon every couple of months, the $60 testing fee every time the child is up for a new belt and the CONSTANT sales pitches for summer camp and special events (that they neglect to tell you the price of).

I think we're finally getting it cancelled, but it's still costing us the cost of more than 2 months worth of services we'll never use.

Stay away from this place. They'll smile to your face while robbing you blind.

I'm a bit weary of hearing Karate America say there is anything wrong with used gear. When you buy new gear and use it, it is then used. So, the used gear on eBay (for instance) is no different than the new gear purchased from the school after it is used. An elementary inspection tells you if it is in good condition. Additionally, all used gear that is not cleaned is unsanitary, but a gym is not a restaruant kitchen so that argument is rather ridiculous. That should not be a concern for the school, since everyone's gear in use is equally unsanitary. Doesn't matter if it's my kid wearing it, or the kid who wore it last.

Either way, you can't avoid sweat and bacteria with sports equipment. Footballs aren't sanitary either, but that doesn't stop 40 guys from touching one. Every quarterback lickes his fingers before the snap, but kissing him would be no different than handling the same ball. It seems like KA is grasping at reasons why you can't buy the equipment they require elsewhere and blaming it on their insurance company. I'd wager the insurance company only requires "approved" gear and if you bought it from a former student, then it should still be "approved" gear. It's as though if my kid and yours goes in the locker room, switches uniforms and gear and for some strange reason they would all of a sudden be deathly unsanitary and at bodily risk of injury for wearing used gear. Makes no sense other than to force you to buy from them.

I have bought used sneakers on eBay and my feet haven't fallen off yet.