Open Colleges
View company profile →
UNCONSCIONABLE CONDUCT - OC DELIVERS MISERY, NOT POSITIVE EXPERIENCES!
After enrolling in an online course in mid-2020, due to chronic illness I was unable to continue, and advised OC IN WRITING on 17/11/20. No response. I sent my letter by FAX, and then followed up with at least FOUR emails. Still no response or acknowledgement of my cancellation. I knew I would be subject to a cancellation fee. As I had a direct debit arrangement in place, I suspected they would continue to take payments ONLY UNTIL the cancellation fee was covered. SURPRISE, SURPRISE!! They took a further TWO instalments beyond what they were entitled to! In desperation, I called them instead. A very apologetic ASHLEY tells me that she was 'about to call me' (Pffft! - That old chestnut!). I am told I need to complete a formal Application for Cancellation (don't know why, when they already have it in WRITING from me!!) Although furious, I complete the form and return it within hours of receiving it. A further THREE emails later, I finally receive notification that my cancellation has been accepted (on 23/01/21, however no mention of when I would receive a refund of the fees STOLEN from my account! Over a WEEK later I receive another email from the 'Cancellation Team' (what a joke) asking for my bank details so that they can refund my 'overpayment'. That was almost two weeks ago. And I'm still waiting!! PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS - BUYER BEWARE!! As any student knows, when enrolling, you have to part with your deposit INSTANTLY from you bank account, otherwise 'no enrolment'. BUT, come time to request a refund, suddenly there is LITTLE OR NO COMMUNICATION from OC, and refunds can literally take MONTHS to process (assuming you get one at all!). This company/business has no MORAL COMPASS - they LACK basic courtesy and CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS. Once you hand over your money, that's the last you'll see of it. They're NOT INTERESTED in refunding your fees. Indeed, one has to wonder whether a qualification from OC is even legitimate, or recognised!!! Take my advice - learn from my mistake - DO NOT TRUST OPEN COLLEGES! There are a myriad of other respectable tertiary providers that DESERVE your support. And if, like me, you have suffered a loss, do what I'm about to do. Lodge a formal complaint with the ACCC, in the hope this morally bankrupt, clearly fraudulent business is investigated and, ultimately, shut down before too many more innocent and trusting consumers are ripped off! I, for one, am not done yet.