Skip to main content

Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Find a Location

Seigler's Karate Center has locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.

    ComplaintsforSeigler's Karate Center

    Martial Arts
    View Business profile
    View Business profile

    Need to file a complaint?

    BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

    File a Complaint

    Complaint Details

    Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

    Filter by

    Showing all complaints

    Filter by

    Complaint Status
    Complaint Type
    • Complaint Type:
      Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      AVOID this place!! SCAM, all they want is $1,000 from you. My husband is in the Army. They were at a festival at **** ********** and they signed us up for a “free” intro class. Our daughter was interested based on the interaction with them at the festival on base so we went to the free class. It was in a very small room with 10 kids at the most and had our child thinking it will be so fun and engaging. They pressure you into purchasing on the spot. They are like a timeshare or a dealership that wants all your money. They say this is a discount only for today, yeah right. They claim your child is not just a number to them and they’ll get one on one training. Well, we fell for it. Paid $1,000! Go to the classes, they’re in a big gym with multiple classes going on. The class has around 20-30 kids and 1 instructor. He is not good at teaching children, he shows the move and says to copy and says we’re gonna do a “combo” without explaining anything. My daughter is 6 and you expect her to know these moves or names of the moves. The entire class is RUSHED. They do a move and move on to the next, they do not take the time to make sure every kid is understanding or getting the moves. After 1 class, I wanted a refund because my daughter did not want to do it anymore. She was miserable. They scheduled a call & it was pointless. I explained how we’re a 1 income military family and that was a lot of money. They use phrases like “I’m sorry YOU feel that way” NO REFUNDS WHATSOEVER. They do not care about you or your kid. The program is 5 months long, going 2 times a week so we clearly did not use 99% of the program but yet they refuse any refund. Almost $1,000 gone. Now I don’t ever want to allow my child to do any sport and that’s so sad! They are just taking peoples money left and right. There are so many bad reviews online with the exact same situation as me.

      Business response

      11/20/2023

      Please see the images for our detailed response to the customer's complaint as well as the signed program agreement. 
      Kindest Regards.

      Customer response

      11/28/2023


      Complaint: ********

      I am rejecting this response because: this business is a con. They do not accurately describe the nature of the classes. They mislead the size and interaction between student and teacher. Therefore, resulting in a rushed and unorganized learning experience for the children. As well as, continuous marketing and trying to get more money from students and parents. The owner has a ******** page dedicated to becoming a 6 figure business by lying and manipulating or “selling” to a consumer. It is a game to her and she takes pride in lying and manipulating her way into taking money and offering little service or in this case lack of karate lessons that hold any value what so ever. I have spoken to other karate teachers at different establishments around and they cannot believe how this was handled and how her business is still in business. It is a shame that people have to find out the hard way. I am very thankful my reviews online have reached MANY people and families who could have fell victim to this con artist. I truly hope her business fails and people are made aware of this scam of a business.

      Sincerely,

      *********** ********

      Business response

      11/29/2023

      Dear BBB and Ms. *********** ********,

      We appreciate your continued engagement in this matter and the opportunity to respond to Ms. ********’ concerns. We understand that she is dissatisfied with her experience at Seigler’s Karate Center, and we take her feedback seriously.

      However, we would like to address the issues raised in her latest response.

      First and foremost, we want to emphasize that we are committed to providing a quality martial arts education for our students and have been doing so for 41 years in our community. Because of our long standing record of integrity, we have had multiple families enroll 3 generations into our programs over the years.

      Our teaching methodology is based on principles that are designed to engage and support children, teens, and adults in their martial arts journey.

      Regarding the class size, we strive to maintain a student to teacher ratio that supports personalized attention and effective learning. We maintain no more than a 15 to 1 student ratio in our regular classes. (Oftentimes it’s less than that depending upon the class.) We employ multiple qualified instructors when necessary to maintain this ratio.

      While Ms. ******** mentioned a class size of 20-30 kids, I would like to clarify that according to her attendance record, she did attend 1 regular class and our specialty ********* party class.  On specialty nights in which it is a party environment with martial arts instruction, it will vary how many instructor are on the mat. However, on that particular night, we had our Head Instructor who has over 16 years of experience leading the class and event.

      Furthermore, Ms. ******** mentioned our promotional practices. We want to make it clear that we adhere to ethical and transparent marketing and enrollment processes. We do not engage in any deceptive practices or manipulate our students and parents. Our commitment is to provide value and high-quality martial arts instruction to our community.

      Additionally, regarding my ******** page in which she states I “promote becoming a 6 figure business by lying and manipulating or “selling” to a consumer”, I firmly deny lying or manipulating anyone or promote practices such as lying and manipulating to sell to consumers which is both unethical and illegal.

      The martial arts school, Seigler’s Karate Center, is only 1 of several businesses I own. Because of our dedication, and commendable business practices that have served us and the Augusta community for over 41 years, I also engage in consultations with other business owners around the world and engage with those business owners on my personal ******** profile, not the business in question which is Seigler’s Karate Center.

      As for the claim that we encourage additional spending, we do offer optional programs and equipment that can enhance the martial arts experience for our students. However, participation in these programs is entirely voluntary, and we do not pressure anyone into making additional purchases.

      Regarding the ******** page mentioned by Ms. ********, we would like to clarify that our social media presence is focused on sharing our passion for martial arts, celebrating the achievements of our students, and providing valuable insights to the martial arts community and marketing to potential new students. We do not endorse or engage in any manipulative tactics to deceive consumers.

      We understand that not every customer will have the same experience, and we genuinely regret that Ms. ******** and her daughter did not have a positive experience at our center. Additionally, after we were first made aware of her dissatisfaction, we have reached out several times offering to work with Ms. ******** daughter to help her adjust and become a thriving student at our school.

      At the time of enrollment after our introductory lesson and evaluation process, she took advantage of a special offer to pre-pay for classes for her daughter that included a discount because of pre-payment. Due to the pre-payment of the 4 month program, we notified her verbally, and she signed in writing that she understood, the program is non-refundable.

      Again, after notifying us that her experience was less than positive on the first 2 classes, we reached out immediately to help her child adjust to the classes and work with her child as we are dedicated to our students and helping them develop focus, confidence, discipline and respect. We were denied the opportunity for us to help her child in any form.

      In conclusion, we remain committed to the integrity of our business and the well-being of our students. We believe in the value of martial arts education and its positive impact on individuals and communities. We encourage open communication and welcome the opportunity to address any specific concerns Ms. ******** may have regarding her daughter’s experience at our center.

      We appreciate your attention to this matter and remain open to addressing any specific concerns Ms. ******** may have regarding her daughter’s experience at our center, although we understand that reaching a resolution may prove challenging in this situation.Sincerely,

      Jennifer Seigler W*****
      CEO of Seigler’s Karate Center

    Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.