Aggressive treatment if you decline
Ian was a pleasure to work with and I happily paid his $100 vocal assessment fee, but his assistant (whatever her name is) reacted very rudely and aggressively when I told her that I decided to go with a different instructor who works at the Ontario Conservatory of Music instead.
She insulted both their competitor and myself by making comments like, "Ian has been teaching music longer than you've been alive, and you probably found some young girl who offers cheap rates. You don't seem like a serious student, you're just looking to have some fun" and "we don't need someone like you"... among other similar comments.
Excuse me? This is music, it's supposed to be fun, even if you're studying professionally, and the competitor I chose works at a very reputable institution (been in business since 1939).
I initially rejected her sales call very politely, but after hearing her completely arrogant, demeaning, and condescending comments, I stood my ground, and fired back at her with the same energy. I raised my voice, and told her that her reaction was completely ridiculous and insulting, and that she shouldn't be speaking with clients this way.
If this is how they treat you before you even sign up, I don't want to know what it's like actually purchasing their services.