Think of the cliche "you get what you pay for" Well if you want to spend tons of money on dance lessons you must be a sport dancer. One looking to compete on the national or international level. However keep in mind the same basic concept applies to dance as it does to Hockey or baseball or any other sport. How many kids that get into sports end up in the professional arena percentage wise. The same holds true for dancers. I have known of instances where dancers attending the franchise studios are convinced ( oh how easy it is) that they are potential platinum level dancers or "must" compete and can with just some additional coaching or lessons. All of which must be paid for.
I once intervued a lady to be a dance partner for a jitterbug contest. She had just spent three thousand on dance lessons over a period of eleven months. She wasn't even able to hold a basic solid frame. Hadn't a clue what the difference was between double and triple step.
I have long given up competing. I now get more personal enjoyment and fulfillment when someone comes up to me and buys me a drink because he enjoyed watching me dance so much. When a man receives such a compliment from another man that is priceless.
I teach introduction to swing dancing on ocassion and will only teach basic steps and patterns untill the student can do them well enough that they can then learn by picking up more from just watching others dance. Too many dance studios teach people WHAT to dance not HOW to dance.