Stonebridge Associated Colleges
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The Unfortunate events of StoneBridge College... side note, read all bad reviews first before enrolling (wish I did)
After dealing with what seemed like outdated assignments with confusing questions, to the vague and at times testing responses of your tutors, I complained and was met with a very opinionated customer service agent. This was flag number one... Into my 5th month of terrible tutoring answers and horrifying "customer service", I was locked out of my account for 1 month unable to enter even though I had paid. After a whole month of calling, going through the student portal, and going on their chat (who directed me to call... with an over 1hr waiting time) chasing them, no follow-ups, and literally no help or understanding, I decided this college isn't for me... Due to a 14-day cooling period, which let's be honest NO ONE shows their true colors in 14 days, they wouldn't let me cancel... as they said they allow cancellations but "case by case" but we all know that no case is enough to lose their money stream so don't bother asking, it's a no. After escalating this (clearly advising I do NOT want a refund) and being passed to bot-like agents, through email, who glitch and repeat themselves with information you can find on the website, I finally ask to speak to a manager who then repeats what they say. There became a battle of who was right and who interprets the T&C better. They finally decided to offer me the chance to transfer courses... ok fine perfect... something cheaper and shorter to end my misery with them...NOPE! I am told I still need to pay for the old course???? So to summarise this section; Access to Higher Education Psychology course cost £1135.34 Interior plant care course cost £75.45 So I need to continue paying for a course I am not using or benefitting from? Different certifications and different prices... When I questioned this they advised that their T&Cs cover this...NO IT DOES NOT...I'll prove it; The first quote "...Please note, there may be a £40.00 administration charge for changing courses outside of your 14-day cancellation period..." Found on the LearnDirect website (the trading entity of Stonebridge College) Second quote "... If we agree to the course transfer, the total fees paid towards the discontinued course will be offset against the cost of the new course. However, we will require that if the new course fee is greater than that of the discontinued course, the balance should be paid in full along with a standard £40 transfer fee..." Found in Stonebridge College T&C (which I was sent by them and is on the website) Back and forth with this "Senior Agent" about the fact that there is clearly nowhere on the website or the T&C provided by her that says I have to pay the old one off... they first offered me "Store Credit" WTH! Do you really think after all this I want to continue and choose another course in the future??!! So after what felt like speaking to a brick wall, I felt like all I had was defeat ahead of me and anger behind me, I cave and just want to pay everything off and be done with these people but at least at minimum give me a month off or refund one month for the trouble they caused when I was locked out...NOPE! When asked they said I had to prove I paid them for the past months.....Wait, What??? You may say "Zakia, why don't you take them to court?" my response... I took an online course because I live in Spain and work full time, hence my enrollment. I don't travel to the UK often and can't afford to go to court or get time to do that either. Most of all I don't want debt collectors going to my family home because of me since I registered my UK family address. So here is where I am, angry doesn't encompass how I feel. Betrayed...no...FUMING, PISSED OFF, EFFED OVER, TRICKED, TRAPPED, and BLOOD BOILING... still doesn't encompass how I feel... Would I recommend them? HAHAHAHA! *wipes tear away* HELL THE EFF NO! P.S, To the Customer Service Person reading this from StoneBridge College; The little email you send to everyone saying you would "love to assist and here's an email address" does not fool me, you literally pass the buck to another crappy agent or the same if you're unlucky like me and leave me back at square one. So instead of what you are going to say in response... how about you think first? Everyone will be watching, and I give updates... :) Update: Provided proof of my payments and have been told to go to their chat or call them regarding the refund, I go to chat and he says email or call, so I email and now they say I must call..... GOTTA ADMIT... NOT THE SMARTEST BATCH....