Poll: What martial arts billing company do you use?
April 13, 2009 by Ryan Wheaton
Filed under Business
Recently I was emailing a fellow martial arts school owner and they mentioned they use electronic funds transfer (EFT) in place of contracts.
And, it got me thinking…
Loading ...Which one do you use and why? Vote then share your reasons in the form of a comment below!
Popularity: 6%
I'm Ryan Wheaton and I work with martial arts school owners to help them attract more students. Many martial arts school owners are confused at how to best market their business and feel awkward in selling situations. I help them overcome those challenges to become confident and competent in marketing and selling their services - helping them become more profitable so they can live the lifestyle they want to live.
I’m looking into martial arts billing companies (specifically EFT) for my martial arts school and want to know who to look at and who to avoid. Any suggestions?
I have been using Members Solutions for a few years now and I’m happy with them. My main reason for going with them was for billing. I didn’t want a billing company telling what and how to teach. Years ago while teaching for someone else we joined one of the consulting / billing companies and before you knew it we were teaching Bullshido Kenpo not Ed Parkers Kenpo. I would say watch out for the consulting groups that wants too much control.
Why are so many people not using a billing company?
After trying the billing companies above, I got nowhere very fast. It seems those companies are in it for the money, not customer satisfaction. For years now, I have been using Strategic Membership Systems, Inc/ SMSWinmars Corporation. Their customer support is supurb and their rates are very reasonable unlike others “claim.” They have everything a school owner needs to grow their school effectively. Their main goal is Billing & Marketing. Let me say, they do an amazing job, with both! Although, I must add they have services the others dont. After a contract becomes delinquent, SMS will go for the full amounts and will NOT pass a contract back to the school, unlike others. THAT shows that they care about my money!
Recently, they actually teamed up with Jackrabbit Dojo and now they have an all new exclusive partnership that was released early this year. Talk about a team!
If you are a struggling school owner, Id definitely refer you to SMS!!!
(sorry for the rant) Lol!
My family trains at a school that uses SMSWinmars, and they’re absolutely horrible.
They institute ridiculous terms in their student contract and then insist that any question be submitted in writing, with a signature. They charge absurd fees ($25) to students for things like an expired credit card with no warning, and make it virtually impossible to speak to anyone to correct the problem.
My school is trying to separate from using them and as a result I’ve received direct threats of legal action and referral to a collection agent, from the CEO no less. His notes and emails have been long rambling rants (complete with terrible spelling and grammar) where he repeatedly bashes my school and says other highly unprofessional things.
I don’t think that’s the kind of business you want handling your money or being the interface between your students and their money.