Testing Prices (Black Belt)

[hybrid_TKD]

We are fairly new to TKD (only started a few months ago) and we have found that the price of promotion testing seems a bit strange. Colored belts arent too bad, it starts at $30 for yellow and increases $5 per belt til you get to black ($30=yellow,$35=orange,$40=green,$45=blue,$50=purp le,$55=brown,$60=red) but testing for black is $800 and it goes up(like double) for each dan testing.

The question we have is this. Is it customary at all or most TKD schools that testing for black belt to be so expensive?

We really like our school and instructor, and we know its a long time before we will be testing for black belt being we were just promoted to orange but we were curious if this is the standard in all or most schools?

Oh I thought we should add that our instructor told us that the price of testing for black belt includes a new (diffrent type) uniform, certificate from the WTF, A black belt with our name on it and a ID card with our picture.

we figure that the cost of all of that is only a few hundred at the most?

What do you think?

[Helm]

My black belt grading cost £90 which is about $140 i suppose, that included a new belt and WTF certificate.

My 2nd dan was just £10 more. Same deal.

$800 seems....extortion.

[Labatt]

I kno, my black belt testing costs 600 dollars.

It is bs in my opinion.

TKD is an AWESOME art and sport, but the one thing that can destroy it is Greedy *******s who call them selves "Masters"

[darlph]

Our testing fee only changes with what certificate you want until Black Belt. Mini kicks $15. White up thru brown is $25 unless you want the "big name" certificate. Black Belt is $150, then 4 weeks later you have a promotion to do in front of the school which usually means a special gi, a gift for the instructor, and the main course for the food. So for Black Belt when you are totally finished approximately $300 or so.
Each school has different protocols. I have seen some schools have you pay for a test and hand you someone else's used belt, or, just put a strip of colored tape around your already existing belt.
As always, i suggest you check out several schools before signing anything. But testing questions and prices are usually the furthest thing to think about at the time you sign up.

[TKDad]

At our studio, each colored belt promotion test is $55. The black belt test (recommended rank, w/o personalized belt) is about $125 with a mini-fuss ceremony in the studio. The first degree black belt w/personalized belt is about $200 with a major-fuss ceremony, the test in a ritzy hotel ballroom (nothing like pressure) and reception afterwards. We also have optional cross-art and specialized "seminars" in judo, joint lock, weapons sparring, etc. that are $40 for the first in teh family and $25 ea for additional family members.

For as much enjoyment as I get (and considering that the studio program fees are about like the local ftness facilities), it's not such a bad deal.



:D

[Labatt]

200 bucks and you get that? We gotta pay 600 dollars with no reception or anything!

[hybrid_TKD]

I think I may have found the reason it costs $800. I think the $800 includes all the above mentioned things and free training once you achive your black belt. if only for one year that would be worth about $600

[Labatt]

I am getting totally ripped off here.....

[sparky]

I am about to take my test on Sat and they wanted $650.00. I thought that was way too high. It seems everyone has the same problem. I feel a little better now. I was told I was getting the certificate from korea and a "free" uniform. Ohh yeah and the engraved belt. owwww, I could buy one for 20 bucks..
I count on $300 that should cost... I doubt the "extra" training will happen after I pass the test...
Just putting in my 2cents.

[Andrew Green]

I paid nothing, but that wasn't TKD...

$800 is ridiculous though.

[booksie_girl]

At my club, in Australian $ it's

White to blue $30 (each grading)
Blue to red $50 (each grading)
Red belt to black tip $110
Black tip to 1st Dan $210

Each grading which involves going up a colour, you get a new belt. Otherwise, we attatch a colored stripe of the apropriate colour. Black Belt includes uniform. I'm not sure what the prices are after that, as I'm only a yellow belt myself.

[KickChick]

Our school is comparable to yours hybrid_TKD


.... except it begins at I believe 45.00 and increases 10.00 each belt with 1st dan black belt test being 400.00

Every school is different as to what that testing cost includes. It is your responsibility to find out (note: to new students) before continuing on with your training.

Costs may include .... if certificate comes direct from Kukkiwon, federation/union/association dues, cost for visiting Master to grade, uniform included, embroidered belt with Korean name/English name (this costs a bit), large framed diploma/certificate, etc. etc....

[Tosh]

Coloured Belt grading with Grandmaster Rhee (2 hour seminar included) - £25/$40 approx

B Belt - 3 day course with Grandmaster Rhee

1st Degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
2nd degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
3rd degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
4th degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate

[John G]

Coloured Belt grading

10 th gup=$40 through to 1st gup $70 = $470

10 th gup to 1st degree 560+ hrs @ $8 (Ave) / hr = $4480

IIS Seminars $200 X 1 $300 x 1 = $500

Club Seminars $75 (Ave) x 9 = $675

Club Tournaments $60 (Ave) x 12 = $720

Club Camps $80 (ave) x 5 = $400

Uniforms/belts/club patches/t-shirts/sparing gear etc. $1200

books, manuals, cd roms, encyclopedias etc.. $1600


1st Degree $200 + $300 for ITF certificate

420+ hrs @ $9 (Ave) / hr = $3780

2nd degree $300 + $ 500 for ITF certificate

Total up to 2nd degree aprox $15,000 Au

Thats aprox 2150 pints of beer (work that out in your own currency) :D

...

[booksie_girl]

Originally posted by John G


books, manuals, cd roms, encyclopedias etc.. $1600


Ouch! Are they optional, or do you have to buy them?

[HKD]

Originally posted by hybrid_TKD
($30=yellow,$35=orange,$40=green,$45=blue,$50=purp le,$55=brown,$60=red) but testing for black is $800 and it goes up(like double) for each dan testing.

The question we have is this. Is it customary at all or most TKD schools that testing for black belt to be so expensive?


well this is the norm TKD is big on ripping people off. this is someting i have been looking into for years. 1st of all the wtf does not issue BB certificates Ull get one from the kukkiwon which cost $90 for a first dan U instructor will in most case charge $100-$300 for a first dan. as U get up in dan ranks 99% of instructors will charge $1000's for a kikkiwon certificate that today is worth nothing. it use to be that U wouldn't compete in a major tournament with out it but now U don't need there certificate because the USTU has taken over all competitions and they dropped that requirment. i have trained in tkd for 15 years and i have seen and heard, it all and this is the norm to get ripped off when it comes to BB testing.

HKD

[HKD]

Originally posted by hybrid_TKD
I think I may have found the reason it costs $800. I think the $800 includes all the above mentioned things and free training once you achive your black belt. if only for one year that would be worth about $600
Ur not going to find many schools that give free training to black belts

[HKD]

Originally posted by sparky
I am about to take my test on Sat and they wanted $650.00. I thought that was way too high. It seems everyone has the same problem. I feel a little better now. I was told I was getting the certificate from korea and a "free" uniform. Ohh yeah and the engraved belt. owwww, I could buy one for 20 bucks..
I count on $300 that should cost... I doubt the "extra" training will happen after I pass the test...
Just putting in my 2cents.
Ur certificate doesn't come from Korea, it comes from the USTU in colorado

[John G]

Originally posted by booksie_girl
Ouch! Are they optional, or do you have to buy them?

They are optional; however they are necessary as a reference source for maintaining a standard.

...

[TheBorderer]

Originally posted by tosh_spice
Coloured Belt grading with Grandmaster Rhee (2 hour seminar included) - £25/$40 approx

B Belt - 3 day course with Grandmaster Rhee

1st Degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
2nd degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
3rd degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate
4th degree £100/$162 - extra for ITF certificate

Nathan, remind me not to complain to much about the cost... granted we all know that MA's can be expensive but still, it doesn't justify people being 'ripped off', makes me think some who are truly dedicated, bout don't have a stash of cash to continue, to quit, but those who have carried on such as Labatt (to which definately shows evidence of the tenets in action, especially persverance! :) ) even tho they express their disasstisfaction of 'exteroniate' rates charged, do wish to carry on as they enjoy the art. As you can see I'm new here so have yet to fully explore MAP, but wonder if any other MA's seem to have such high rates? Question is, what do you do? Mass walk out? hmm... ok maybe stops it for a bit but then soon, some would say, others are recuited.... Since I've been on MAP I've been :confused: over the politics and all that in my Art (which I am only just on the 'first rung' of the ladder), it's beginning to make more sense, in a way it's unavoidable(I mean look at how many MA's there are, it's becuase someone though of a different way of doing things), at the end of the day I'm grateful of the school I'm and in the end (although price should be reasonable) as long as you feel you are taugh well and (naturally) enjoy it, fantastic.

Sorry I can't seem to offer any comfort to those paying a lot of money, I'm a student so know about wanting to save money! ;) I suppose the options are think of some way to change it or just persevere...

[BlackBeltCookie]

I'm a member of the TAGB (TKD Association of Great Britain).
All coloured belt gradings (10thkup - 1stkup) are on average £20-£25 each, and it only cost £95.00 to take my 1st Dan grading last year. Admittedly, you have to buy your new dobok (approx £40.00) but they throw in your certificate, a tie, blazer badge and lapel badge in the grading fee.
Anything over £150 (approx US$200-250) is extremely extortionate. I know you are paying for the grading examiners time etc, but at those rates, you're also paying for their expensive cars & houses too!!!

[darlph]

You know something, after reading all these different prices, I think it depends on you schools area. Like are you located in a higher income living area?. I have noticed new Ways to bring income into the business here. Like Black Belt club used to be free and now you have to pay an additional one time fee. A Master's Club.,. You get a iron man gi with embroidery and some sort of other benefits. Naturally you get a rank certificate with every test but if you want one from the grandmaster it's an additional 5 dollars. When I started here, it was more of a homey atmospere, now it seems to be coming a business. Yes I know you need to make $ to keep it going, but buying a house, a new car, and going to Disney for a week and also on a cruise in one year? Now there's talk of another cruise ,, eeps! No wonder I avoid alot of the things that are going on and not volunteer like I used to.
All in all, when you decide to join a "gym" you should research all criteria.

[snarg]

If you feel that you're being overcharged, then you are. The "value" of a product or service is in the eye of the individual consumer. It doesn't matter what other people are paying--after all, they might be paying more and "getting" less, but still feel perfectly at peace with the universe.

Does finding out that lots of other people also feel ripped off make it easier to submit to being ripped off? I know it's nice to not feel like the Lone Sucker, but it doesn't really help, does it?

I believe the main reason why a few schools succeed in charging the sort of BB grading fees that most people find extortionate is because the student doesn't know how much they are from the start.

An effective tactic is to charge lower rates for monthly/per-lesson fees and make it up at the gradings. Many people don't think about grading fees until they're within grasp of that coveted belt... after all, you have to fork out lesson fees continually, but each grading is a one-time expense (or at least, hopefully, a relatively rare occurrence).

By the time the student has worked his/her way up through the ranks, they're extremely unlikely to quit the school because of a high BB grading fee and start over someplace else. Not simply because the run the risk of "losing" their rank, but also because they'd have to get used to a new place and people, different teaching style, travel further, go back to being the "new guy", leave their friends behind, etc., all of which may make paying the high fee the easiest option.

(In other threads, there have been discussions about belts as a retention tool... there's also a good thread about leaving your comfort zone. I think both these subjects are very relevant.)

As many have said before me, the prudent thing to do is to find out all this information in advance. But that doesn't help if the school suddenly raises its fees or the instructor tells you one thing at first and then backpedals later (such as happened to Labatt, I believe). In that case, it really comes down to whether the student's personal love for/emotional attachment to/interest in the school, or in the worst case, his/her fears and insecurity, can overcome the pain in the wallet and the feeling of having been betrayed.

(For the record, I pay approx. US$60 a month, gradings included.)

[Pyry_Uotila]

my black belt test is about 210€ (everything included)

[flyingblackbelt]

i dont remember the price of the 1st dan test, but my thrid dan test is going to be around 300 dollars with a customized belt, a diploma and a uniform, thats kind of expensive but to me its worth it.

[Andy Murray]

What happens if you guys turn round and say you can't afford the grading?

After all, you don't buy skill, you attain it.

[Mike Flanagan]

I can't believe how much people are getting ripped off here. I paid £10 (if I remember correctly) for my 1st dan in Shinseido. I paid nothing at all for my 1st dan in Ao Denkou Jitsu. I then paid nothing at all for my 2nd dan in Shinseido.

My students pay £10 for each coloured belt grading. That includes the cost of the new belt and certificate. I can't believe you people fall for it when you're instructors up the price of successive gradings. Why should a 1st kyu/kup grading cost more than a 10th kyu/kup? For that matter, why should a dan grading cost any more?

It makes me laugh even more when I hear people say they're black belt cost so many hundreds of dollars, but at least paying so much made them feel it was worth something, that it was something of value. It's worth it if you had to work hard, if you had to put effort and dedication into achieving it. How can you put financial value on that.

Wake up and smell the roses. Does your teacher view you as a student or a financial resource for him/her to exploit?

Mike

[Andy Murray]

Originally posted by Mike Flanagan


Wake up and smell the roses. Does your teacher view you as a student or a financial resource for him/her to exploit?

Mike

Enter the world of the, Full Time, 'doing it for a living' MA Instructor Mike.

Sorry we've cut into your thread TKD people.

[Mike Flanagan]

Originally posted by Andy Murray
Enter the world of the, Full Time, 'doing it for a living' MA Instructor Mike.
Even so, I don't believe that justifies charging huge grading fees with tales of 'certificates coming all the way from Korea'. A rip-off is still a rip-off. If you want to make lots of money, teach lots and lots of students.

Sorry we've cut into your thread TKD people. Having achieved the lofty rank of 3rd kup in Taekwondo many years ago I feel entirely justified in 'cutting in':-)

Mike

[Andy Murray]

Originally posted by Mike Flanagan


1/ Even so, I don't believe that justifies charging huge grading fees with tales of 'certificates coming all the way from Korea'. A rip-off is still a rip-off. If you want to make lots of money, teach lots and lots of students.

2/Having achieved the lofty rank of 3rd kup in Taekwondo many years ago I feel entirely justified in 'cutting in':-)

Mike

1/ I agree, but it occurs in Karate, Kung Fu, BJJ, JKD etc etc to one degree or another.

2/ I was forgetting your re-birth from TKD. I was more defending myself, as I have no reason to comment other than my disgust at the idea of buying rank.

[mani]

Some of the fees mentioned are way to high. But I think I may be heading in the same direction

I was charged 20pounds for my first grading and I suppose the cost is going to go up each time.

But something like 600 dollars is ridiculous, and definelty not worth it. I suppose its got some link with the organistaion your club belongs to

my club belongs to AMA - Amateur Martial Arts Association

[Taeho]

Wowsers! I thought my school was pricey, we pay $50.00 for each gup leading to 1st Dan. All blackbelt testing fees are $100.00 each. You get a certificate and belt. I think the uniform embroidered with name and logos is an additional $100.00. So about $200.00 total. (unless you don't need a new uni.

TKDshane Ÿ

[Chazz]

I think ours started at $15 then went up $5 every grading.
$15 for white with w/ yellow stripe
$20 for yellow
$25 for yellow w/ green stripe
and so on like that for green, blue, red

[kempocos]

We do not pay for any testing until BLACK BELT 1st dan, Then it is $400 . This is for two certificates mounted on plaques, a little for the judges who travel in for the test. Before the 1st you get two days a week one class a day. At this point the instructor does not mind if you show up for any class that is going on. I currently take two calsses a day four days a week.

[Chazz]

well i guess that works out good. I would find it hard to pay that much at one time.

[mattsylvester]

You'd have thought that by the time a student reaches BB they'd have more than paid for the grading.

[Holgate]

I believe the TAGB charge something like £110 for black belt testing which isn't too bad compared with some groups...still a bit steep mind

[neryo_tkd]

i paid around 150 EUR for the 1st dan. I got the kukkiwon certificate and an ID card. you have to pay for the black belt and if it is an embroidered one, it is more exprensive. the 2nd dan is double the above mentioned price and other degrees of course more and more expensive. but not long time ago the prices went down.

[Bulldog]

I think mine was 125 bucks...I got my Association certificate, ID, and custom embroidered black belt...Now, though, it's gotten out of hand...IMO

I can see both sides...I really can...I just choose to stay away from rank promotions that cost me more than my car did! ha ha

Aaron

[Kwajman]

Wow, that is a real fortune in testing fees. I know in my school, they don't charge you after you reach black belt for coming to class, but your expected tohelp teach and to maintain your level of skill. I believe the fee is around $200 US to test for first dan. After that, I"m not sure.

[Darkflames21]

All of our belt tests at our school are $40. white to yellow is $30
I dont know how much for our black belt.

[Bulldog]

One of the groups I belong to charges 7 dollars per color belt...and the other charges nothing...
Hmmm.....

[Yang, Dae-han]

In KOREA, testing fees for Black Belt 1st degree (as of December 7th, 2003's testing date) run 150,000 won.


That sum includes everything, and run by Kukkiwon themselves.

150,000 won equals (to date)

$127.459 US
$166.186 CAD
L75.047 GBP

Post rates, from Korea to North America (for size and weight of certificate) should run no more than $15 US.

As for the above posts....bloody rip-offs.

Cheers,

Yang, Dae-han

[Bulldog]

So, Yang, Dae-han...are you telling me that in 1991 when I paid 125 dollars to a Korean Master...he wasn't informed of the current going rate at the Kukkiwon? ha ha

[ShadeS]

I take Chinese Kenpo. My Sifu charges 60$/hr a private lesson, 75$/4 times a month, 90$/8 times a month. He tests you when he feels you are ready to pass to the next belt. The belt costs are 10$s. He doesn't charge more for the belt. It's the store price. So in essence when you test for black, it's just $10s in addition to your monthly dues. I have a small class two, 6 students including myself.

[Zen TKD Warrior]

some of you guys are getting ripped off. 600 to 800 dollars for a black belt? I laughed at the testing in a ballroom then having a banquet afterwards. I get hot and sweaty and tired after my testing. Sounds like a McDojo to me. My 2nd degree bb test, in two weeks, will cost me 105 bucks. I test with the other guys and gals in my school.

And before a mod starts snapping at me about the McDojo crack - what would you call it?

[Zen TKD Warrior]

Coloured Belt grading

10 th gup=$40 through to 1st gup $70 = $470

10 th gup to 1st degree 560+ hrs @ $8 (Ave) / hr = $4480

IIS Seminars $200 X 1 $300 x 1 = $500

Club Seminars $75 (Ave) x 9 = $675

Club Tournaments $60 (Ave) x 12 = $720

Club Camps $80 (ave) x 5 = $400

Uniforms/belts/club patches/t-shirts/sparing gear etc. $1200

books, manuals, cd roms, encyclopedias etc.. $1600


1st Degree $200 + $300 for ITF certificate

420+ hrs @ $9 (Ave) / hr = $3780

2nd degree $300 + $ 500 for ITF certificate

Total up to 2nd degree aprox $15,000 Au

Thats aprox 2150 pints of beer (work that out in your own currency) :D

...

Smile on instructors face and wad of cash in his pocket? PRICELESS

[Zen TKD Warrior]

What happens if you guys turn round and say you can't afford the grading?

After all, you don't buy skill, you attain it.

This is an excellant point. Never heard of this happening in my school. If you don't have the money - you don't test. Anyone ever done this or know of an incident like this?

[Kwajman]

I'm not at the black belt level, but yes, there are times when my personal problems prevent me from having much extra cash. So several months ago, my instructor asked me why I hadn't tested? It had been 3-4 months since I was eligible. He thought it was a confidence problem (hah!), I told him I was really strapped for cash. He put my name on the grading list, tested me and never said a word about the money. I have a good instructor. Another time when I didn't have the money, I went 3 months w/o paying. I felt guilty, but he said the training was more important than the money. That my contributions were worth more than the dollars in tuition.

[Taliar]

All Colour belt gradings are £25.00
Black Belt is £100.00

This includes Belt, Tie, Certificate and Pin.
Certificate is awarded in class and new BB is allowed to take senior position for that class, and thats it, no meal or big presentation.

[gaz shaw]

£110 + all of the petrol money needed to get there and to pre black belt training sessions

[Azeotrope]

Wow, even with our "recommended" belts that some condem as sounding "McDojo"... we are way cheaper than many of these schools. $100 for dan tests and since we have recommended that equates to $200.

[Yudanja]

This is a good topic.

For all of you ITF people out there.. Dan tests are expensive...especially if you want the "ITF" Dan Certificate.

When i tested for my 1st Dan under the ITF back in the 88 the price was $120.. when i tested for 2nd Dan it was $240.....and.. price kept goin up with each Dan test.

My Instructor used to have fundraises all year long to offset the costs of these "certification" fees.

Sometimes the price you pay to belong to a "Credible" Taekwon-Do organization ends up costing some money.. is it worth it? I do like to look on my office wall at home and see ITF Certificates with Gen. Choi's name on them.. it does make me proud.

That being said, I dont think you have to have a Kukkiwon or ITF or ATA Dan Certificate to feel good about your training or to be a "Real" Taekwon-Do Black Belt. There are plenty of good organizations out there that dont charge HUGE feels for Dan tests.. (at least 1st and 2nd Dan.).. I know there are a lot of independent TKD instructors out there looking for an organization to back them....

I have chosen the Indpendent Taekwondo Association and am currently working with them to back my future students as I just moved to a new part of the country and hope to open a Dojang in about 6 months. They offer serminars, camps, very nice Dan Certificates, Gup Certificates and just about any other service that you can think of.. and the best part is they dont care what style of Taekwon-Do you practice.. whether it be ITF, Kukkiwon, Moo Duk Kwan, ATA, American TKD.....they let you teach your own curriculum and do not get involved with your teaching.

The point being.. how often do you test for Dan rank? Not often. As long as you do not pay more than what it costs for your new "Certificate" from your organization I don't think you are getting ripped off....

Just my two cents worth.

[Stormrider]

I'm testing for 3rd Keub in 2 weeks and the testing fee is $90.
I am not sure what the BB fee is, but I imagine its a couple hundred dollars.

[justinksw]

I'm not at the black belt level, but yes, there are times when my personal problems prevent me from having much extra cash. So several months ago, my instructor asked me why I hadn't tested? It had been 3-4 months since I was eligible. He thought it was a confidence problem (hah!), I told him I was really strapped for cash. He put my name on the grading list, tested me and never said a word about the money. I have a good instructor. Another time when I didn't have the money, I went 3 months w/o paying. I felt guilty, but he said the training was more important than the money. That my contributions were worth more than the dollars in tuition.


Kwajman, you have a GREAT instructor. It's so hard to find an instructor like that in these days of 'free enterprise'. Obviously every instructor can't take that approach, and definitely not with every student. Serious consideration should be taken concerning student contribution to the class. If you have a student who busts his a$$ in class and helps keep other students on top of things, then he/she deserves a break sometimes.

[SimonTKD]

$800 for a 1st Dan black belt, you are seriously getting ripped off.

Our coloured belts cost at the most $35. 1st Dan is about $150ish
The only time we would pay $800 is if I was going for 8th and 9th Dan combined. Impossible though that is, but the two of them combined would be enough to rival $800. I think your instructor needs t rethink their pricing range because $800 is in the impossibly excessive range, no matter what extra stuff you get with it.

[Yudanja]

$800 for a 1st Dan black belt, you are seriously getting ripped off.

Our coloured belts cost at the most $35. 1st Dan is about $150ish
The only time we would pay $800 is if I was going for 8th and 9th Dan combined. Impossible though that is, but the two of them combined would be enough to rival $800. I think your instructor needs t rethink their pricing range because $800 is in the impossibly excessive range, no matter what extra stuff you get with it.

I would say that is a very high price. Most organizations charge anywhere from 50-150 dollars for 1st Dan Certification.

Some instructors charge JUST enough to cover that, plus a new embroidered 1st Dan belt.

My instructor included an ITF Certificate, USTF Certificate, Dojang Certificate, 1st Dan Belt and a new ITF Black Belt Uniform.. all for $120 bucks (in 1988 money)... and after that my classes were free of charge. i dont think i got a bad deal.. LOL

[funkymonk]

£110 + all of the petrol money needed to get there and to pre black belt training sessionsI know Gaz and it looks like i'll have to stay somewhere overnight too unless i want to get up at about 4 o'clock in the morning to drive down to the grading. Oh yes and when i found out that you have to pay an extra £40.00 for the suit i nearly fell off my chair !! :eek: After i've paid all of my bills there isn't a lot left but i don't think a lot of instructors/examinars realise how tight money is for some people. To top it all off our monthly fees and licence renewal fees have just gone up too. :bang: :bang: :bang:

[Yudanja]

I know Gaz and it looks like i'll have to stay somewhere overnight too unless i want to get up at about 4 o'clock in the morning to drive down to the grading. Oh yes and when i found out that you have to pay an extra £40.00 for the suit i nearly fell off my chair !! :eek: After i've paid all of my bills there isn't a lot left but i don't think a lot of instructors/examinars realise how tight money is for some people. To top it all off our monthly fees and licence renewal fees have just gone up too. :bang: :bang: :bang:

I think it should be on the Instructor (in my opinion) to pay for most of a students BB test. There is plenty of time to set u a fund for Dan promotions. Use part of the income from dues, gup tests, equipment sales towards student Dan promotions. Set up fundraisers...etc.

That's what I will be doing shortly.(once i get my dojang going). For those who cant afford the 125 dollars i plan to charge. (Includes: trimmed BB uniform, ITA Dan Certificate, Dojang Dan Certificate, embroiderd belt and a banquet the following day)

[ALPHADEANO]

I would just like to say that people in taekwondo generally get ripped off, with these grading fees.

I know a lot of other styles charge for gradings but from my experience taekwondo still get ripped off with higher fees.

Incedently a lot of clubs from other styles dont charge for gradings!!!

I dont know of one taekwondo school that doesnt charge
(unless the instructor does a favour in exeptional sucimstances taht is).

Corect me if im wrong,
but I have a feeling ill be waiting a long time...........

[neryo_tkd]

around here the prices aren't high at all. you could actually call them low and that referrs to both the monthly fee and the grading fee.

[Andy Cap]

My original Tang Soo Do instructor was very good about testing and the costs of it. He charged $175 for a 1st dan test, but if you truly did not have the money he would insist you test and he would "work it out" with you. I was a kid when I tested for my 1st dan and ended up doing a lot of yard work and such for him - an excellent option IMO. I know he had done this on many occassions with different students - even 2nd, 3rd dans.

When I ran my own school I had a scholarship program, and this would be tapped sometimes when people wanted to test. Our prices were dictated by the organization though.

Now in Tae Kwon Do I am staggered. My instructor has told me many times he wants me to test for 5th dan. First off I don't ever want to promote again, I have been a fourth dan for 7 years and have no desire of grading further - plus the price of this test would be $1,150!! I told him respectfully that I do not have need for the affirmations the new stripe would bring, but thank you for the confidence to offer that grading.

Truthfully, it is in your instructor's best interest to have as many black belts and senior ranks as possible without losing the integrity.

[Yudanja]

$1,150 dollars!?!?!?! That is about 700 dollars more than it should be at most.... what organization is this ???

[Yang, Dae-han]

Now in Tae Kwon Do I am staggered. My instructor has told me many times he wants me to test for 5th dan. First off I don't ever want to promote again, I have been a fourth dan for 7 years and have no desire of grading further - plus the price of this test would be $1,150!!


Hear hear.

I'll tell you what, if you are WTF, I will get you a visa for Korea so that you can test AT Kukkiwon and pay about $220 for the 5th dan exam. Yes, that includes everything....and I'll introduce you to all the grandmasters and take you about the Korean temples and infamous training centres.

Western clubs are such a rip-off.

Cheers,

DH

[Yudanja]

Western clubs are such a rip-off.


I disagree with this statement.. at least in part. I never felt that I was getting "ripped off" when I tested. The price I paid for my 1st Dan test of 120 dollars back in the 80s included the Dan Certificate (from the ITF), a new black trimmed uniform, an embroidered belt.. and my Sabum Nim even had a dinner for us at a nice local restaurant.

I think there ARE a lot of schools that charge outrageous prices. I have known a few back in my homestate. most of whom were Korean born instructors who charges a thousand dollars for 1st Dan test. These certainly werent "western" instructors.

If i had the time and the money though.. i wouldnt mind that tour of North Korea and China that TKD times and the ITF are sponsering...

[gemtkd]

:) In my school it's £20 for every colour belt grading, the £100 for your 1st dan then it goes up by half each time I believe

[Yang, Dae-han]

I disagree with this statement.. at least in part. I never felt that I was getting "ripped off" when I tested. The price I paid for my 1st Dan test of 120 dollars back in the 80s included the Dan Certificate (from the ITF), a new black trimmed uniform, an embroidered belt.. and my Sabum Nim even had a dinner for us at a nice local restaurant.

I think there ARE a lot of schools that charge outrageous prices. I have known a few back in my homestate. most of whom were Korean born instructors who charges a thousand dollars for 1st Dan test. These certainly werent "western" instructors.

If i had the time and the money though.. i wouldnt mind that tour of North Korea and China that TKD times and the ITF are sponsering...


Fair enough, my statement did wade on the side of a blanketed (is that a word?) statement. For that, I retract it and offer apologies to those that are fair in prices. I should say, most of the schools that I've come across are rip-offs.

I know that I charged my students (in Korea) $50 a month for as many hours of training they wanted (but I was open for just 34 hours a week)...and tests were free up until black belt (which I had no control over). See my thread on official WTF fees...I never charged a penny (ok, Won) more.

I've said it before. If anyone wants to take a holiday to Disney World... Florida, not California (I live nearby), you can crash at my house and I will test you for free (and you send the money order straight to Kukkiwon for the actual paperwork).

North Korean trip. Hmmm....I'm curious to know exactly where/what the visitors are allowed to see.

I tried in 2003 to get North Korea to allow a group of us to ride (motorcycles) through North Korea...I came across some very large red (no pun) tape that nixed those plans for a few years. I plan on doing it again in 2007, but I've a new avenue (read: South Korean gov't backing) that may allow us to ride through.

If you can take off 9 months to ride from South Korea to Mongolia...lemme know.

Cheers,

DH

[Yudanja]

I've said it before. If anyone wants to take a holiday to Disney World... Florida, not California (I live nearby), you can crash at my house and I will test you for free (and you send the money order straight to Kukkiwon for the actual paperwork).


You can test someone for 5th Dan? That mean your at least a 6th or 7th Dan yourself??

[Goat]

I never look on testing fees tuition etc… as payment to the Sensei but more of a contribution to the over all health of the school. In the beginning I paid like everyone else monthly or contract and testing fees as warranted. But after eight years at the same schools it has become more of a co-op atmosphere. While I agree that prices are less expensive in other areas and are not what they were in the past. I want to bring attention to facts. The cost of prime location retail per sq/ft is outrageous. Heck even a side street dilapidated strip mall is costly rent in most metro places. If I add every dollar I spent on my entire family together, and even including tournament fees and other expenses not going to our school, it still doesn’t even come close to what my higher education bills totaled. I could easily have spent the same amount on a Fitness Gym. Every extra-curriculum interest cost money. Have you priced a new set of golf clubs lately? So while I agree $1000 or more is a bit extreme I also think that a Martial Arts school is more than a business it is a family. Having to pull your weight to maintain the health of the family is a small concession for the overall benefit you receive.

[rainbows]

My testing fees were €20 a time for each of the colour belt ranks, €35 for my pretest for black belt, and my club covered the €130 cost of the black belt grading. (I'm part of a college club)
All you guys with your new shiny doboks at 1st dan... pah. €3 worth of black ribbon to trim the bottom of my jacket :)

[Kwajman]

**BARF** I think we went through this afore didn't we? $65 for a under belt test and $225 (I think) for our BB. I've seen our dan certs, not very impressive to me. For that cost you'd think we could have at least some really nice ones for framing.

Our instructor actually lowered the cost of BB testing because a couple of us, when asked, said that one of the reasons we weren't testing was because of the cost. I'm not sure even how long I've been a high red belt now.

Hope this doesn't tick off any of the BB's.

[Goat]

Well it doesn't tick me off! ... that much I can say.

but you bring up an interesting point. For us too the certificate itself isn't all that impressive.. (and I know it's just a piece of paper and as such doesn't mean much) but still I kept expecting that at BB we got a great looking Diploma suitable for framing but instead we just got the same old printed out Certificate that suffice it to say isn't al that impressive looking (of course now, I know what it symbolizes means much more than the paper and the printing) and it is signed and can be framed, sure, but it's not the type of document that looks like a University Bachelor of Science degree or something although I spent more than twice as much time obtaining it. I guess if it bothered me that much I could get a better one printed up and ask Sensei to sign it as I am more than positive he would, but I just assumed the BB certificate would be something rather special and I would have to admit (probably a darn ego thing) that I was expecting something more elaborate. Of course the first time I put on a BB that feeling went away rather quickly (there goes that ego again), but now that I have three of them and will more than likely be the first or second student to receive 4th Degree at our school. I am thinking I may ask Sensei if a can make a contribution to have someone re-design the diploma's for Black Belts and be sure to ask him in a most respectful way of course.

Which brings up a question what does your certificate look like and is it ultra cool or rather plain? (maybe I should start a new thread on that question) wait a sec... maybe I should search and see if there is already a thread on this issue first!!! Eh!


Ok I searched and no not really… some threads on schools that don’t issue WTF certificates but none specifically on what some of the other schools certifications look like. But I’m not much of a thread starter so I’ll just leave it here since this thread has already progressed to other topics., So the question put is: Do you think your certificate could use some improvement or is it ultra cool just the way it is? Inquiring minds want to know! (or maybe just one egotistical guy wants to know!!) LOL!!

[neryo_tkd]

So the question put is: Do you think your certificate could use some improvement or is it ultra cool just the way it is?

we get our certificates from the Kukkiwon and I'm satisified with them.

[Fire Breaker]

I didn't know schools charged for testing. I don't pay anything for testing. Heck I hardly pay for class

[Jambi]

$200 for black belt test (includes the Kukkiwon Cert and belt). Before that fees top out at $64 for 2nd and 1st gup and start at $15 and always include a brand new belt. Fees are paid after you have tested and pass and test are only for a new gup rank (no mid-level tests).

[Sang]

It seems that too many people are being overcharged for their gradings. This is so WRONG!!!!! There are just too many so-called 'Grandmasters' out there who suck up people's money!!!! They are literally businessmen in disguise.

I did my 1st Dan Grading in Northern Ireland under Grandmaster TW Shin (8th Dan Manchester) and I paid £25 for it. The price was subsidised by Queen's University Belfast and the original cost was £50. I got a LOT for what I paid. The grading lasted from 10am-5pm which included a written exam, destruction, sparring, poosme, 1 step sparring....exhausting. Got a damn hard kick to the groin out of it too!!!

I find myself very lucky to have been able to find a good grandmaster who actually cared about what he taught without overchaging his students.

I live in London now and the grading prices here are slightly higher than Northern Ireland. With Chungdokwan UK, you pay around £60 for yr 1st Dan and £80 for yr 2nd Dan and the price goes up by £20 per Dan. Grandmaster Shin charges £70 for 2nd Dan in Manchester. I could get that for £35 after subsidies if I did it in Belfast. A Grandmaster came from America once to my club in London and he was asking for US$300 for my 2nd Dan Grading!!!! I was shocked. I refuse to pay that much for a grading.

Anyone can take a hard, high standard grading. It all depends on whether the examiner, ie. the grandmaster, actually cares about his students' true progress or just in their money. I just wish that there could be more true masters out there.

[Kwajman]

We just got our "new" grading scale this weekend. It is:

$175 Cho Dan Bo
$175 Cho Dan
$230 2nd Dan
$230 3rd Dan
$330 4th Dan

[carlos]

I'm with PUMA - www.puma-uk.com

IIRC my grading fees were £30 for the coloured belt gradings and £115 for the BB exam. I'm not sure of the pricing for the 2nd Degree + gradings.

For my £115 in PUMA you take the test until you pass/give up (I did mine 2nd time and didn't pay for the 2nd attempt - value for money ;)). This encompassed the pre-grading, grading, belt, tie, pen, lapel badge and certificate.

I believe the big cheesy grin the I'm still sporting was free! :D

[confused]

I find it very hard to believe that the association of WTA would not have a standard fee for black belt testing. My son is about to do his 2nd poom and i have to pay $550.00 canadian( paid $450:00 for the first poom). I am not sure I want my son to continue at this rate of cost which seems too high for my budget. The school by the way is Master Romeo (previously known as Woo Kim surrey-delta). I questioned the master why the fees were so high and i was informed that all of it is for WTA but reading this forum I don't think so. Someone out there is making a lot of money!
Question?? Can my son switch schools and continue with his pooms? Would that be advisable??

thanks in advance ...much appreciated!

[neryo_tkd]

I find it very hard to believe that the association of WTA would not have a standard fee for black belt testing. My son is about to do his 2nd poom and i have to pay $550.00 canadian( paid $450:00 for the first poom). I am not sure I want my son to continue at this rate of cost which seems too high for my budget. The school by the way is Master Romeo (previously known as Woo Kim surrey-delta). I questioned the master why the fees were so high and i was informed that all of it is for WTA but reading this forum I don't think so. Someone out there is making a lot of money!
Question?? Can my son switch schools and continue with his pooms? Would that be advisable??

thanks in advance ...much appreciated!


our testing prices are not high. i have already posted the prices somewhere in this thread and it seems that they are what they are supposed to be. fact is that many people want to make a living by running a club and that is why there are so many weird rules in different schools.

as far as your son is concerned, well, if he wants to continue testing and you can't afford it, then you might want to consider finding another school, but you'd have to do a research first. visit other schools and talk to the instructors. there are schools that maybe would not recognise the belt your son is having at the moment.

[Goat]

. My son is about to do his 2nd poom and i have to pay $550.00 canadian!


$550 Canadian!! what's that like $20 bucks american? LOL!!


Just kiding confused, it all depends I would try to work it out with you instructor tell him you just don't have that right now and see if you can't make payments or something perhaps even if your son could help out around the Do-Jang and work a bit of it off. I don't know many instructors that wouldn't consider doing something to help ease the burden. It doesn't hurt to ask.

[Master Maldonad]

First I'd like to introduce myself Im Manuel Maldonado. Im an ITF 5th Degree and a Kukkiwon 4th Dan. I dont personally feel that people should be so money hungry when it comes to a Black Belt Certificate. If you paid your dues, ie class fees, tournaments etc at least YOU helped keep the Do-Jang open. Black Belt test fees should be what the organization charges the instructor. At my schools thats what we do. You pay for your own belt and whatever the Kukkiwon charges for the Certificate. If anyone here needs help obtaining their KKW papers please dont hesitate to let me know (I can only do them up to 2nd Dan). I'll do my best to help out. Sincerely Manuel K. Maldonado :bang:

[Justin]

for me it was $200 and it goes up like $100 each dan. that is the only grading we have to pay for though.

[neryo_tkd]

First I'd like to introduce myself Im Manuel Maldonado.

welcome to MAP. stop by at the ''TKD check in'' sticky and introduce yourself there. :)

[NX01]

There's little that can justify charging someone 300+ dollars (US) for a black belt testing in my eyes.
I paid $250 for 3rd dan in Tang Soo Do and feel that I was completely gouged. Now I don't feel so bad after reading this thread.
My rank in Taekwondo was free, as my instructor is an old friend of dad's, and someone I've known since I was 12 years old. Test fee for 1st Dan at his school is $150, and includes a Kukkiwon certificate, an embroidered belt (with the students name on it), and a new dobok.

[NX01]

I've said it before. If anyone wants to take a holiday to Disney World... Florida, not California (I live nearby), you can crash at my house and I will test you for free (and you send the money order straight to Kukkiwon for the actual paperwork).


I'm just a couple of hours away from you, up in Jacksonville!

[Slavist]

Our testing is $50 for each colored belt grading. This includes a kukiwon card. Sometimes, we have to pay $7 for a new belt, but the instructor always tries to find a used belt we can wear, so we don't have to pay. For stripes they just put tape, so the belt is still practically free.

For black belt it is $400 but they don't pressure you into taking the exam. There are several people with red belts black stripe, one of them has been like that for 4 years. I can tell you, right now, that if I ever get red belt black stripe, I ain't taking a black belt exam.

All lessons are free, though, so I can't really complain. It would take me at least 3.5-4 years to get to BB level, and that wold be a total of about $500 in gradings, and $0 in training fees. Not too shabby, at all.

[Master Maldonad]

couldnt find the TKD check in could you show me where it is. Thanx

[Ren-shi-shin]

Well, I agree that I gawk at high grading prices, but then I try to put it in perspective: If I were playing hockey, I'd have a few hundred dollars every year for equipment and the fees for playing, which are about $1000 a year. Then, (since I'm so good), I'd have tournaments out of town every weekend which would cost me $2-$300 for hotels and travel... etc.
So, you're learning something which may prove more useful in your life (although some hockey players really know how to fight!) than flicking a puck around, and it's year-round, and it's portable for you to take anywhere, and it's cheaper.
Looking at running a club, a decent dojo is going to cost (in my town) $2-3000 a month including utilities; insurance costs about $6000 a year, equipment (at my club) runs about $1000 a year... that's $43000!! 43 grand to teach you guys. If you're paying a grand a year in fees and testing, the instructor has to regularly have 43 students just to break EVEN... I know my instructor makes less than 20K a year for himself, and that's only because he teaches the kids of the insurance broker and found somewhere free to train in....
Unless your instructor is driving around in a porsche and charging you several thousand a year for nothing, try thinking about the costs of everything, and hand over the dosh with a thank you at your next test.

[DavidSJ]

I agree completely. I know my instructor isn't getting rich off of it and I don't mind paying a little extra here and there. I consider it a "bonus"

[EternalRage]

When i was still with the WTF, BB test was 350 bux. Most of which went to the Kukkiwon. For SBD, my BB test was 150 bux and no testing fees for any color belts below black. I got ripped hard at TKD : (

[franksv]

I tested for my 1st dan in 2001,paid 400.00 bucks which included the kukkiwon cert and a fancy new uniform.If I remeber correctly ea belt test was 50 except for the red/black which was 80.From what I ve heard here and from other folks in my area,I think this was reasonable.

[rtkd-badger]

couldnt find the TKD check in could you show me where it is. Thanx
Let me be of assistance,Click here (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283) and it will lead you directly to the thread in question

[Twimyo Jirugi]

I tested for my 1st dan in 2001,paid 400.00 bucks which included the kukkiwon cert and a fancy new uniform.If I remeber correctly ea belt test was 50 except for the red/black which was 80.From what I ve heard here and from other folks in my area,I think this was reasonable.

Ouch, kup/gup gradings are only $25 here.

[franksv]

Ouch, kup/gup gradings are only $25 here.

Its all good,I pay nothing right now.The only thing my teacher wants is 100 percent effort and to pass it on someday when I find someone I deem worth teaching it to.(current teacher is not tkd,but xing yi)

I left my tkd school about a year and a half ago.

[Master Maldonad]

Thank You Badger. Went and posted..

[Master Maldonad]

10th Dan???? Certainly not Kukkiwon

[Sebues]

In all me inexpirience and lack of respect, I say this: Walk in, pay them, pass :) , walk out, jump someone and steal their wallet. After all its what you learned from your Dojo/Dojang

[neryo_tkd]

In all me inexpirience and lack of respect, I say this: Walk in, pay them, pass :) , walk out, jump someone and steal their wallet. After all its what you learned from your Dojo/Dojang


i definitely have to agree with the ''inexperience and lack of respect'' part.

there are so many members here who can tell you that they earned their belt with hard training and not with money.

stealing? dojo? hmmm...weird, but we never learnt it there.