Not saying I support the canning of coaches - but, in this instance, I paid the coach up front. A full year in advance. November to November and I had every intention of reupping.

So your scenario doesn't apply here really.

That said, I think it's ok to let someone go if YOU are the one paying THEM. There's ways to go about it - but if you're not getting what you're paying for then by all means you shouldn't have to continue the service.

but if you fire one coach for a stupid reason - that makes you a douche and I wouldn't support it.

For what it's worth - in my eyes, at least - the relationship I had with them seemed great until yesterday. We weren't immensely close or anything, but I never got the impression that I was a bother or anything and felt that they were a pretty good coach.

I did notice that also, haha.

Assuming that your account details the story well, I can't say that I agree with his position (or approach) ... but I can understand the logic from a voluntary exchange of services perspective. At the very best, it sounds short-sighted on his part (bad precedent, bad publicity, etc.).

He clearly has expectations that you're not meeting. Granted, that may be entirely due to his failure to properly inform you of them, but the balance of dissatisfaction remains. It's certainly a strange twist in the typical provider-client dynamic, so I guess the only takeaway should be that you were satisfied with the product while it lasted, but you're probably better off without the services of a flake.

I agree that this was handled very poorly. When ever a party is not satisfied with the performance of another in any way, F***** COMMUNICATE that to the other person. I've had bosses where i thought I was doing great with no negative feedback, then review times comes and you get slammed.

Total BS based on your side of the story.

I will say in his defense, he is somewhat correct that it's probably "good form" to thank anyone involved with you training etc. It builds good will, makes you look more professional and makes your coach look good to. But successful athletes are often driven and very focused, so it's understandable to focus on yourself a little and forget to mention ever person involved in your success. But I would never consider that an expectation unless it's been mentioned to you.

Is his coaching service advertised on your race kit?


EDIT: You not a pro, it looks like it's recreational for you. The situation still sucks, but I don;t think there's any possible legal action since this isn't your profession.

Why is it ok to only let someone go if YOU are the one paying? I disagree with that 100%. Not saying this is the case, but why should a coach/attorney/accountant/etc stay in a relationship that is no longer beneficial to them? I have fired more than one client over the years. It wasnt worth it to me to continue dealing with them. One offered to pay me more, i said no. I didnt like his attitude and felt like he frequently brought me down. Why should i maintain that relationship just because i am being paid?

Again, i don't agree with the coach and you should be refunded your remaining balance. I think it was poor form and totally sucks for you. i just disagree that any coach or otherwise professional should be stay in relationship where they feel they are not getting what they want from the client. Unfortunately, this sounds like whatnthe coach decided (justified or not).

I think the coach is a douche. Period.

That said, I find it weird that with all the crap you shill on your blog, you didn't mention him/her one time (that I could find).

What's the back story on that?

Why is it ok to only let someone go if YOU are the one paying? I disagree with that 100%. Not saying this is the case, but why should a coach/attorney/accountant/etc stay in a relationship that is no longer beneficial to them? I have fired more than one client over the years. It wasnt worth it to me to continue dealing with them. One offered to pay me more, i said no. I didnt like his attitude and felt like he frequently brought me down. Why should i maintain that relationship just because i am being paid?

Again, i don't agree with the coach and you should be refunded your remaining balance. I think it was poor form and totally sucks for you. i just disagree that any coach or otherwise professional should be stay in relationship where they feel they are not getting what they want from the client. Unfortunately, this sounds like whatnthe coach decided (justified or not).

SurfingLamb wrote:

Email 3 (to me from coach): It's not you, it's me.

I disagree. I hate being asked for referrals for anything. It's a sign of desperation. I sing to the heavens about attorneys, brokers, CPAs that do their job well (and even just competently if they are good people and honest). You'd think the guy that runs my training is probably on his way to being canonized if you were one of my friends.

I'm not going to put my reputation on the line by making a recommendation if I don't truly believe in the person.

I'd love to listen to you when you are trying to pick up hookers.

Tell him you want ALL of your money back for the year as he broke his contract with you.

Also tell him you will be sure to tell everyone about your experience with him.

This is the most assbackwards way of handling a client in any business I have ever read.

You should out him on here.

If you're wearing a baggy jersey in a road race or crit you are doing it wrong. Especially if you're a breakaway artist or plan on sprinting. 30 Watts is a dumb amount to give up.

Your former coach is ridiculous, was he in a frat in college?

I've heard of this happening

http://pvcycling.wordpress.com/...ient-he-just-sucked/

Quote:

In what is believed to be the first ever instance of an Internet cycling coach terminating a client who was paid up on his fees, Samuel Slopworthy ended his longstanding online coaching relationship with cyclist Waylon Tuppersmith today. According to Slopworthy, “Waylon just wasn’t any good. Mathematically, his chances of improving were, like, zero. That’s ‘zero’ with an infinity of zeroes after the decimal point.”

Although I'm sure your improvement didn't have so many zeroes, as you have stated that you're doing better this year than last

He wouldn't happen to be dropping you - a client who doesn't wear his gear - for a chick who would? Y'know, hiring a better looking billboard / spokemodel; results not withstanding?

You know that was satire right?

and this one might be as well.

Couple of things:

1) I don't "shill" anything on my blog. I get the harsh tone of your post - but I really don't. Most of the stuff I review or whatnot are from things I'm happy with and I get at a discount in exchange for reviews/promotion/etc. If I get something at a discount I'm not happy with or get a product for free that I'm asked to review that I end up not liking - I just don't post the review and return the product. Your post seems to indicate that I'm being dishonest on my blog - and I'm really not.

2) Again - I haven't felt the need to promote his coaching services or say "Oh this is great - I owe *this race result* to *so and so coaching*!" I just don't feel the need to do that or think that it's necessary. I'm paying for a service from them, and I'm happy with the service. That's it. I won't blog about the company that does my yardwork or the place where I get my car serviced either.