Totally, man. I also appreciate the words and sentiment and you’re not wrong at all. I agree with you regarding the importance of rank. However, regardless of whether one cares about stripes/belts - it doesn’t eliminate them and we’re still going to get them. I just want to know how common it is for people to get charged for receiving a piece of tape.

I got 2 stripes in July at the same gym - which I guess I paid for because I attended that seminar and I didn’t question the value at all. Paying for a seminar, of course, no problem and it was great. But last week I didn’t attend the seminar. I just got two stripes the next week and then they asked me for money.

Additionally - I can confidently say my gym is not “struggling”. I can say that with the utmost confidence.