Consumer Record No. 001 · October 2026

Before you book GoSkate, read what their own customers say.

GoSkate charges $299–$599 for skateboard lesson packages, then assigns an instructor from its marketplace. Consumers and instructors report problems with refunds, instructor pay, and lesson quality.

"They took our money and never provided a single lesson. Getting a refund has been impossible."
PissedConsumer · Reviewer allegation
~3.4PissedConsumer
NotBBB Accredited
Read the public reviews

Exhibit 000

Not Accredited

GoSkate®

goskate.com

DBA
"San Diego Skateboard School"
Type
Self-described "marketplace"
BBB
Not accredited

The marketplace model

How the model works.

Four questions about where your payment goes and who provides the lesson.

1

You pay the platform

GoSkate charges $299–$599 upfront for lesson packages. Some reviewers report difficulty obtaining refunds after payment.

2

GoSkate takes its cut

GoSkate describes itself as "a Marketplace." Like most marketplaces, it retains a portion of each transaction before paying the instructor.

3

An instructor is assigned

GoSkate coordinates instructor assignment. Ask whether you can choose your instructor and what "certified" means in their system.

4

Scheduling and accountability

When scheduling issues, instructor changes, or refund requests arise, consumers interact with GoSkate — not the instructor directly. Multiple reviewers report difficulty reaching support.

The money question

Follow the money.

$100
Your lesson fee
Through a marketplace
~$30–50
→ Platform
~$50–70
→ Instructor

Your instructor receives a fraction of what you pay.

Booking direct
$100
→ Your instructor

Every dollar goes to the person teaching.

Hypothetical illustration using a $100 lesson fee and typical 30–50% marketplace commission rates. GoSkate's actual commission structure has not been independently verified. Direct-booking instructors set their own rates and may have business expenses not reflected here.

What reviewers report

For parents and students

  • Some reviewers report paying hundreds upfront and receiving fewer lessons than purchased
  • Instructor assignment may not offer the choice or continuity families expect
  • GoSkate describes an internal "certification" — ask what independent accreditation backs it
  • Multiple reviewers describe difficulty reaching support or obtaining timely refunds
  • Some consumers report unauthorized or unexpected charges after initial payment
  • The company appears in BBB records under "San Diego Skateboard School"

For instructors

  • Marketplace platforms typically retain a portion of the lesson fee
  • Client relationships are generally mediated through the platform
  • Building an independent reputation may be harder through a third-party brand
  • Scheduling and assignment decisions may be platform-controlled
  • If a scheduling issue occurs, the instructor may absorb the client's frustration
  • Platform terms may allow reassignment or removal with limited recourse

Public record

The reviews are public.

Real excerpts from published consumer reviews, each linked to its source. These are reviewer allegations, not independently verified findings.

EX-001Availability
"A trainer never appeared for any of the paid lessons. The company kept the money."
PissedConsumerReviewer allegation
EX-002Refunds
"We paid $599 upfront for 6 sessions for my son, but after only two classes, this company has completely stopped responding."
Trustpilot · VerifiedReviewer allegation
EX-003Refunds
"Been waiting for a refund for over two months. Have filed complaints with the BBB and the California Attorney General's office."
Trustpilot · VerifiedReviewer allegation
EX-004Availability
"Repeat no-show followed by a last-minute cancellation. Still waiting for a refund."
Trustpilot · VerifiedReviewer allegation
EX-005Billing
"Hundreds of dollars taken from my account without permission."
PissedConsumerReviewer allegation
EX-006Billing
"Cancel your card and claim fraud. They charge people without permission."
TrustpilotReviewer advice to consumers
EX-007Support
"The company charged my card twice and refused to refund the duplicate."
BBB ComplaintReviewer allegation · GoSkate not BBB accredited

All excerpts are from publicly accessible review platforms. Individual reviews represent the opinions and allegations of their authors. Both positive and negative GoSkate reviews exist across these platforms. These excerpts do not establish the prevalence or systematic nature of any business practice.

Book
a person.

Not a platform.

The alternative

Book a person.

Not a platform.

When you book direct, you know who's teaching. You can verify their experience. You can talk to them before you pay. And every dollar goes to the person standing in front of your kid at the skatepark.

Know who's teaching before you pay

Confirm qualifications directly

Same instructor every session

Independent Instructor · NYC + Westchester

Leon Toppin

Disclosure: This consumer awareness project is commercially associated with Leon Toppin's independent skateboard instruction business. Additional listed instructors are independent operators presented as alternatives for families researching skateboard lessons. Listings are not independent endorsements. We encourage readers to conduct their own research before booking any instructor.

Other independent instructors

Los Angeles, CA

Yurii Korotun

  • 19 years skating
  • World Skate competitor
  • Direct booking
Visit site →

Phoenix, AZ

Coach Danny

  • 20+ years skating
  • 5.0 on Yelp
  • Direct booking
Visit site →

Don't see your city?

How to find an independent instructor near you

Are you an independent instructor? Contact us to be listed.

Before you pay

Ask questions.
Not later. Now.

Six things to verify before you pay anyone for skateboard lessons.

Sources & methodology.

Platforms examined

  • Trustpilot (trustpilot.com/review/goskate.com)
  • Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
  • PissedConsumer (goskate.pissedconsumer.com)
  • ComplaintsBoard (complaintsboard.com)
  • RipoffReport (ripoffreport.com)

What you're reading

Short excerpts from publicly accessible consumer reviews, cited to their source. Each represents the opinion or allegation of its author. Individual reviews do not establish the prevalence of any business practice. Both positive and negative reviews of GoSkate exist across these platforms.

Editorial standards

We do not claim GoSkate commits fraud or that all customers have negative experiences. We organize publicly available consumer feedback to help readers make informed decisions. Hypothetical financial illustrations are labeled as such. Errors can be reported for correction.

Commercial affiliation

This project is commercially associated with Leon Toppin, an independent skateboard instructor serving NYC and Westchester County. Additional instructors listed are independent operators not affiliated with this project. All commercial relationships are disclosed. Editorial content is based on publicly available reviews regardless of any affiliation.

Last updated: October 30, 2026 · Sources last checked: October 2026