I have dealt with CDC for many years now. My previous experience with them had been not excellent, not horrible, but generally a studio that has great teacher and adequate service so no complain. However, this year I had multiple dealings with CDC that made me realize just how bad their customer service and studio policy are. I have spoke to management about a good portion of these and the response had been very antagonizing. This is the reason why I am posting this review because I felt like these issues should be known to anyone who wish to attend class at CDC.
Studio condition:
1. no water fountain, I was told you can either purchase water at front desk or get water out of bathroom sink (or of course, bring your own)
2. at least 2 studio have un-even floor / hole on the floor
Class cancellation policy:
1. Class cancellation policy was not communicated to student before class start, or clearly marked anywhere on the website : I went to a drop in class once where the teacher and two students were there, they cancel the class because there wasn't 4 people in class and refund everyone's class as studio credit, not the cash I paid before class.
2. There is no deadline to when the class cancellation policy kick in for performance class : I was enroll in the 12 weeks performance class, 4 weeks in they are still waiting for more people to register and I was told the entire time that the class might cancel.
3. Multi-drop in class package vs. cancel class : If you purchased a multi-class package with expiry date, the class credit you get (due to cancellation policy) will be on the same expiry date as original package. Say the package expiry tomorrow, I come in for a drop in today and unfortunately it got cancel, I have to come in for class tomorrow otherwise it expire.
4. Performance class cancellation fee too high. Their website stated if a student committed to a performance class and then back out, they are subject to a cancellation fee. When I had some work commitments that conflicted with the class and I had to drop out, I called expecting a % of cancellation fee as most service do. To my surprise, I was told the cancellation fee would be $250 which was the price of the class and there would be no refund as a result.
Combined with what I stated above, many other issues not listed here, and the fact that whenever I tried to escalated I am met with CDC pointing finger at me and making up policies I never heard of. CDC is clearly a business that spend more time trying to get more money from you then providing a good service. I say take your money else where, there are plenty other dance studio in town.
------------------edit 5 days after original review posted
CDC manager Melissa have called back and offer a refund to my performance class. (full class amount - $25:special workshop class price for the 1 class I did attend - $25 admin fee)
We also spoked about part of my review that wasn't my own experienced an those were remove.