If you read the post about our upcoming classes, you know that for 2020, we’re charging a small non-refundable registration fee of $12 a day per class. You might wonder why, and if it’s worth it.
In short, it’s because the entirety of your class tuition goes to the instructor. And during the past 18 months, we’ve found that the classes require lots of glue, gallons of drinking water (and dang-good coffee), ample toilet paper, and to keep the HVAC at a comfortable level for seven people. The small registration fee will help pay for that. Plus, the class registration site costs money – so part of each fee goes to pay for it, too.
Why is the registration fee non-refundable? Again, because all the tuition goes to the instructor, we have to have some way to pay for all the administration when people drop out of classes, require help with shipping tools or need assistance with housing, meals or activities for their families. We’re happy to help, but we do need to eat.
We do our best to make sure classes here are worth the investment in money and time. Lost Art Press operates differently than most publishing companies, and the classes here are different, too. With only six students in all but a few classes, you get plenty of personal attention from the instructor (whether you want it or not!). And, you’ve the opportunity to try out a bunch of different bench styles in our working shop (handy, if you’re thinking about building one). Plus, you have access to the Covington Mechanical Library – our large collection of woodworking books (including a three-volume set of the original 18th-century “l’art du Menuisier”).
You also get to spend time in the Covington Main Strasse area, which is aces (it’s possible we’re biased). There are scads of good and inexpensive restaurants within easy walking distance, and plenty of hotels and Air BnB rentals available at shockingly low rates. And we’re right across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, where you’ll find even more great restaurants, and plenty for your family to do while you’re in class, should they visit with you.
We love offering classes, and think you’ll have a great time here (and learn a lot, of course!) – so we hope this small fee won’t stop you from registering for a class.
— Fitz
I’ve taken two classes with Megan this summer. It was a great experience and the $12 nonrefundable fee is well worth the benefits you receive as a student. I hope to take another class at the LAP storefront next year!
I’m so glad you’re going some way towards making these excellent classes feasible for those who organize them. Long overdue. The experience of participating in a class at your storefront goes beyond woodworking instruction, though that dimension is well worth what your instructors charge. May your teaching set-up last long and prosper.
It’s good to hear that you are doing what you need to do in order to make offering the classes sustainable. The non-refundable is more than reasonable. I have only participated in one so far (Megan’s Dutch Tool Chest) and hope to do more. Keep up the good work.
I’m happy to pay the fee. Charge more if that’s what it takes to keep this going. See you in a few weeks!
Sounds very reasonable to me. Keep up the great work.
I attend music workshops at Interlochen in Michigan. The cancellation fee for them is $75, which I did have to pay once. Your policy is a bargain and so are your classes. I hope to come to a class at some future point.
Meghan,
No need to apologize for not being willing to be taken advantage of. ( I’m not convinced that grammatically correct, but you get my drift).
Seems more than reasonable. But instead of just covering costs, you should also make a profit.
We do some things to make a profit, and some things to make a difference. These classes are designed to give back something to instructors (including myself!) and give students an intimate small-scale teaching environment.
I know that you also give authors a much higher percentage than other publishers, so this is perfectly in line with that philosophy as well.
In a perfect world, generosity is repaid. We are not living in a perfect world, by far. But I hope it’s ok enough.
Makes total sense. If a business doesn’t make a profit it won’t be around to offer it’s goods and services.
You can’t stay in business…if you give the store away…so a fee to cover incidental costs is more than reasonable.
I hope to venture out from New England to take a course (or two) someday.
That fee seems very reasonable to me.
You could charge a non-refundable unicorn and a bucket of pirate gold, it would still be fair.
You have a way with words, Klaus, and are also very correct here! The folks at LAP go well above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and have the best experience. Chris, Megan, and Brendan are 3 individuals who act as 1. Not to be confused with the Holy Trinity though (hope you didn’t just choke on your coffee, Megan!).
I’m pretty sure I drank twelve dollars a day worth of coffee during my class.
No problem with the daily registration fee. I have taken a class at LAP and the fee is very reasonable, appropriate and a bargain.
As one on my sons said to me, years ago, when I grumbled a bit about paying a higher parking fee to be close to a college football game’s stadium,
“Convenience is never free”.
Michael O’Brien
Valley Head, AL