Bisk Education - University Alliance LIAR SCAM ARTISTS!! brandon, Florida
I am finishing my third class with this "college", and if I had not already invested $6000 so far, I would drop this place like a bad habit. STAY AWAY! My VERY first class I was ripped off my University Alliance "counselor". I asked for the ISBN for the book for the class, my "counselor" John Gilliam, told me it was a "special" book that couldnt be purchased anywhere but through University Alliance. So I believed him and spent $200 on a book. When I received the book in the mail, I checked the ISBN and found it on Amazon for $60! I called customer service (which didnt pick up the link the first 5 times I called) only to be told that John's manager was "out". These people are SCAM ARTISTS!! STAY AWAY!! Go somewhere else, anywhere else is better than this place!!
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Rothmnfl
United States of AmericaAmazon
#5Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 28, 2012
You could have been seeing the price of a "used" book on Amazon. I would not take it as gospel truth when anyone from the school states the price of a book, they were probably just giving you a general figure. Always do your research.
Also, please use correct grammar because it was a little hard to read your post.
Good luck, but don't think you really have a good case.
fairguy
berkeley,California,
United States of America
u sound like an employee--rebuttal,not filer
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 12, 2011
is free to file, you should talk to lwyr about this. and, anything about the contract a lawyer tells me isnt binding because it is fraud. the judge has to look at it. you should do it and go for a default.and also try this arbitration with rip off report. if they dont agree it would not look good if you take them to court in florida. by the way, they have a jury for small claims there. pretty cool.l don't know how they pushed rip off reports past the first 5 pages of google when you type in bisk education. they
must be using a company, i think. but is this company doing something not kosher.
try rip off report arbitration, the most fair in my opinion. all consumers should get ripoff revenge, i did and it works
fit_student
United States of AmericaAnother Student's Perspective
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, January 25, 2010
I disagree with jfitz's assessment that Bisk Education/University Alliance is a scam. University Alliance is not a school, but rather a company who contracts with reputable schools and provides the technology and sales support needed for the schools to offer their programs online. I went through University Alliance for my undergrad from St. Leo University, and I am currently enrolled in the Florida Tech graduate program. Many of the other online degree programs in the marketplace are offered by schools that were formed by corporations (such as University of Phoenix). I much prefer the model offered by University Alliance because I am receiving my diploma from a traditional, regionally accredited school with a long history of academic excellence. I work full time, and without programs such as the one offered by University Alliance, I probably would not have been able to complete my education.
In my experience there have been instances in which classes had custom books, but usually I am able to get the ISBN for my book from my UA rep. Sometimes I buy the book from UA and sometimes I buy it elsewhere.
I am happy with the service and product I have received from UA. I don't believe that calling a company SCAM ARTISTS because you had to purchase a $200 textbook is warranted.
Informed
Tampa,Florida,
United States of America
Informed
#5REBUTTAL Individual responds
Mon, January 25, 2010
Having been with University Alliance for many years & with the Florida Tech University Online program since its inception lends itself to unique insight. At the heart of this understanding is the program's integrity, and its dedicated staff who facilitates the type of service expected from an educational provider that helps students empower themselves to achieve their respective academic goals.
With that said, there are two instances in which you were informed to buy books your "first term," dependent upon your academic standing. The first is if you are an undergraduate student who is a Florida resident. It is a requirement of all Florida resident online undergraduate students to purchase their books with the University Alliance if they wish to be eligible for the inhouse Financial Aid Grant that is specific to the online student who risides in Florida, which I assume you are based on your profile demographic. Secondly, the other reason as to why you were told this is because you are a Graduate student in the MBA program. The first 2 courses are unique to the FL Tech program and have "custom" books that you must get through University Alliance. Albeit, it is possible to find used books in the marketplace, it is not recommended due to the potential seller fraud associated with individual book sales online.
So, you weren't misled, you must have misinterpreted or failed to assimilate the information given to you during a very hectic time of the registration process...the beginning.
Having said that, considering it's your 3rd term with the program and all that can be said negatively about it is that you found books elsewhere $140 cheaper, then I would say that if anything, this lends Academic Credibility to the program in which you are invested in.
Best of luck in your future educational endeavors from those who are "in-the-know."
Informed.
Tampa, FL