If the training was free, would you go?

[Rastoff]

This has come up a few times. I'm an instructor, but my goal is not to make a bunch of money. Rather I want to see people do well with the firearms they own.

There are a lot who don't feel they need training. There are those who don't think they have the money or can't afford it. So, would you go if it were free?

My experience with training (over 13 years as a professional and many more as an extra duty) shows that if people don't pay for it, they don't value it. Thus, the training doesn't sink is as well if it's free. Even so, I've considered running a seminar at my local gun club. I would do it completely free of charge.

Would you go? Or is is a waste of my time?

 

[redfox302]

It is very nice of guy to offer a free class. However, IMO, I think it the busy schedule that people can't find time to attend or take the class. I would go if I have one free day.

 

[Pef]

If it was free? Sure. But that's me being frugal, too.

But there are a few, I suspect, that want training but that are either intimidated by it (e.g., showing their unfamiliarity with firearms) or that probably can't afford it. If you help a couple of them, kudos to you.

 

[Big Cholla]

IMHO, it would be a big WOT. As a self-defense instructor, you assume some liability for later events that occur to your students. I agree that unless the student is investing more than just the time to attend, odds are they don't take the course too seriously. Why not get paid for taking that risk? It also is smart to write your course of instruction out and then follow that course rigidly while instructing. Keeping that course outline available is paramount in defending yourself in court. ...... Big Cholla

 

[smokindog]

I sold high tech consulting services for awhile to F100 Companies and your point is valid. Without "skin in the game" the receiver of the goods will take the services until you cease without the same level of regard for the value as if they had paid for the service. I know one boutique firm that actually raised prices when the market declined and their sales increased because of higher perceived value!

The other component when it comes to training is getting people to feel comfortable that they can make mistakes and not be judged. Tough to do when it's a group of co-workers but perhaps easier for the scenario you suggest. I'm sure you've seen the "know it all" in a class or two! Heck, I'll bet you know a few here

I've always wondered if there would be value in approaching one of the big box retailers to have them offer a class to each new firearm purchaser with the Big Box picking up a portion and the student picking up a portion of the cost.... Just thinking out loud. I know our Cabelas is pretty tightly coupled to one CCW firm.

Wished you live down here, I'd attend your free class I learned many years ago that I can always use more training!

This has come up a few times. I'm an instructor, but my goal is not to make a bunch of money. Rather I want to see people do well with the firearms they own.

There are a lot who don't feel they need training. There are those who don't think they have the money or can't afford it. So, would you go if it were free?

My experience with training (over 13 years as a professional and many more as an extra duty) shows that if people don't pay for it, they don't value it. Thus, the training doesn't sink is as well if it's free. Even so, I've considered running a seminar at my local gun club. I would do it completely free of charge.

Would you go? Or is is a waste of my time?

 

[BaaBaa]

There are those who don't think they have the money or can't afford it. So, would you go if it were free?

I would try to go but I would agree with other posters. Even a minimal charge means you get students who take you seriously. I've been in a situation where "free" consulting time was offered. It was never as successful as charging a minimal fee, maybe even as low as $20/day. Students need to pay for the training, payment can be all sorts of things, time spent helping, food or lunches, money, ammo but they need to have something they provided or the training will be ignored.

 

[SW01SS]

Hell yes I'd go if it were free, or at least minimally priced. Theres some training schools in my area but they cost $150+ per class plus I need to buy a significant amount of ammo just for the class as well. On a college student budget I just can't do it but I've been dying to get some formal training. I'd take it equally as serious if it were $200 or if it were free, I would still value the experience just as much.

 

[Llando88]

Yes, I would, and for a couple reasons.

Having established the qualifications of the instructor, the cost of the class itself, is just one component of my expense.

Ammo, for one. Say I shoot a box of 100 rounds during the class. So, that's $20-$25, on me.

Plus, there is my time. Obviously the per hour time varies by individual, but I think for an evening (say) my time is worth "something".

Just my 0.02.

PS Rastoff if I lived closer, I'd come to your course.

 

[snubbyfan]

Free? Ya darn tootin' I'd go. As long as it was in the general vicinity of the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
If I have to spend thousands of dollars to get there, then free don't mean to much anymore.

 

[speedyquad]

the local sherriff's office has 4 classes a year at $40 per person. this is their 2nd year. they have had classes in march and april , and again last weekend and one coming up in october. it is an 8 hour class on a saturday. they have about 12 students per class. my wife called to get us into one of these last two classes. they both filled up in 30 minutes.

having said that, one of the things that made it so popular is that you do not need your own firearm. a local gun store supplies the firearms and the ammo. if you do bring your own firearm, they require you to have your ltcf and to bring at least 50 rounds for your firearm.

when i first learned of these classes, i just happened to be in the gun store when a lady and her friend asked about them. the one had a firearm already, the other was considering one. she wanted to take a class first before she considered buying that first gun. she was worried about not having one for the class.

this is another reason some don't take a class. they want that knowledge/training before they purchase their first gun, but don't realize the classes are out there where you don't need one of your own.

 

[Protected One]

My experience with training (over 13 years as a professional and many more as an extra duty) shows that if people don't pay for it, they don't value it./QUOTE]

Enough said.

As with anything, if people WANT to get training they will save (or sell something) to afford it. You already know the principle. Violate it at you own risk.

 

[307-Niner]

I'd take any class that my work schedule cooperated with, whether free or not! The problem has been that so few classes are offered. One class every 3 to 4 months means they fill up quickly, and my work schedule usually conflicts anyways. Add to that, about every 3rd class is females only(which I think is a solid concept), which makes taking a class even more difficult.

More availability of training > cost of training IMHO.

 

[dullh]

"If the training was free, would you go?"

Yes.

I think the correct question would be:

If the training was optional would you go?

Answer is still yes.

 

[cloyd49]

I applaud your willingness to try and make a difference and would definitely go. Another variation I see a need for would be to give introductory classes to those who don’t own a fire arm but trying to make the decision. I am finding more and more people who are “thinking” about it as the world seems to disintegrate around us. They have no idea what gun ownership is all about. Perhaps having the ability to handle a gun, knowing the basics and safety rules, and firing one would assist them to make an intelligent decision. One way or the other.

The one thing that gets under my skin is the person who thinks they need a gun, goes and buys one, fires a box or two of ammo through it then puts it in a drawer. Unfortunately, I know some of them. These are the ones who do something stupid or allow a child to get hold of it with disastrous results.

 

[jmmitc06]

Well, from the perspective of making a difference, you should do it. True, they may not value a free seminar as much as one they pay for but free training is better than no training. Also, I think at a gun club it might be different than a free session to the general public. The general public probably takes the classes to gain a skill for a particular purpose, I think club members would be more interested in the subject material and therefore get more out of a free session than the average off the street person. Just my .02 as a broke college student, if there were a free class, I would go. I haven't really gone to one because of the cost, while minimal, is more than I am willing to pay in advance for instruction which can vary in quality. If I knew from a free class someone was good, I would likely pay for a session or two.

 

[Lycan]

I would go...schedule permitting. Then again, I like to go to training type events to talk to like minded people and some not like minded. The discussions can be eye opening. So I guess it all depends on the type of instruction offered. Still, it is always a good thing to give instruction to a few people that might have not otherwise received it.

 

[SW01SS]

My experience with training (over 13 years as a professional and many more as an extra duty) shows that if people don't pay for it, they don't value it./QUOTE]

Enough said.

As with anything, if people WANT to get training they will save (or sell something) to afford it. You already know the principle. Violate it at you own risk.

You can't automatically assume every single person who pays will value the class and every single person who doesn't pay just won't care about it.... What the hell kind of logic is that? It seems based off the responses here on this thread alone that there are several people who would be very appreciative of some free training and would take it just as seriously as if they had paid.

 

[Protected One]

Rastoff. As a suggestion, perhaps if your LGS were willing to "poll" their new gun purchasers as to their interest in training (without mentioning that its free) they could help you assemble a class of interested learners, and that would make your efforts worthwhile. I say "without mentioning that its free" because if they are interested while thinking there's a cost, then you truly have an interested learner. Whereas many people, knowing its free, will SAY they're interested, but with no money on the line from them most won't even show up...thus wasting your time.

I applaude you for your willingness to share your knowledge for the benefit of a safer society.

IMO this site is NOT a good barometer because we are all gun enthusiast, many of which are paying for training already, so of course WE would love a free class.

 

[Dan Camaro]

This has come up a few times. I'm an instructor, but my goal is not to make a bunch of money. Rather I want to see people do well with the firearms they own.

There are a lot who don't feel they need training. There are those who don't think they have the money or can't afford it. So, would you go if it were free?

My experience with training (over 13 years as a professional and many more as an extra duty) shows that if people don't pay for it, they don't value it. Thus, the training doesn't sink is as well if it's free. Even so, I've considered running a seminar at my local gun club. I would do it completely free of charge.

Would you go? Or is is a waste of my time?

Yes send me a ticket. LOL

 

[Mcwsky09]

I wasn't interested when it was free but now I know that I don't have to pay for it that's different.

I agree with the post about perceived value. You could do something like have a two for one deal or at least advertise it as a $100 class and one day only a sponsor is paying for it kind of thing.