Center for Yoga of Seattle ,yogaseattle.com Seattle Yoga teacher proves to be a scam artist seattle, Washington
If we could rate the Center for Yoga of Seattle with zero stars, we would.
My fiance signed up for a 200 hour yoga certification class this week.
48 hours later my fiance found out her mother had horrible health issues which will require us to leave the state for a few months.
For this reason we called the owner of Center for Yoga of Seattle, Richard Schachtel, and humbly told him about our situation.
I explained that my fiance would not be able to participate, and we need a refund of funds so that we can use the money to go help her ailing mother.
The class was not scheduled to start for 2 months so we figured this would not be a huge issue.
Additionally, It had been only 48 hours since signing up.
Expecting a humane response, especially considering he is a "yoga teacher", we were surprised that he refused to refund ANY of our $999 fee. He did not show any empathy or emotion.
There have been NO services rendered by Richard and his "school"
And we requested the refund within the 3 day grace period that most up standing businesses, in Washington state, honor.
I personally registered her online at the last minute due to an urgent "posted deadline" on Richard's yoga center website.
My fiance had tried to contact him via phone many times but he never made the point to speak to her before the deadline-----in hind sight it appears that he wanted her to feel rushed by the deadline posted on the website.
The deadline was March 18th for the $999 special.
UPDATE: we noticed today, on March 21st, that the cut off date on their website has been miraculously pushed from March 18th to March 25th??
In addition, the website's special cutoff date stated that there were only TWO SPOTS available on March 18th.
The website now says there are STILL two spots available even though my fiance had signed up and paid in full.
Obviously, he is planning on opening up two more slots while keeping our $1000.
i am amazed that Richard Schachtel showed no emotion when we expressed the severity of my fiance's mother's condition and the reason my fiance would not be able to take the course at all.
We urged him to consider the humanity of the issue.
He showed no grace when he HUNG UP ON US after saying "this happens all the time".
I humbly admit I was angry with him on the phone.
But his lack of humanity was appalling.
I believe his actions would bring out the worst in the best of us.
We are urging you to not give this yoga center your business.
The fact that he says "this happens all the time" shows that he may indeed be keeping people's deposits and not allowing cancellations even in situations involving un forseen challenges----In example: cancer or disability.
The experience has been a huge disappointment and we urge anyone to contact us if they have any questions about our experience or had a similar experience.
We are preparing to take Richard to court if necessary.
Therefore, any extra testimonies will gladly be accepted.
We fail to understand why ANYONE would want to receive instruction from a "yoga teacher" who shows more greed than humanity or empathy for others.
Please avoid this school and choose one of the many other great schools in the Seattle area.
There are other reviews on here which also comment on Richard's questionable behavior and actions.
Please pray for my fiance's mom and feel free to contact us for any information regarding this issue.
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."---Albert Einstein
1 Updates & Rebuttals
The Center For Yoga of Seattle
Seattle,Washington,
USA
Rebuttal to Vinay
#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, April 03, 2016
Vinay has reported inaccurate information about my business, and our website, and it appears he is willing to write almost anything in order to get a refund, even if it is untrue.
He signed up for a training with all of the information about the dates, times, costs, and the refund and cancellation policy clearly available to all to see. There is exact information on the poster about the class times:
He claims, "his web calendar had wrong timings reported", which is just not true at all.
In my converstaion on the phone today, April 2, 2016, he told me that he signed up for the training assuming the times were 1-7pm. The times of the training is written on the poster for the course which gives differrent times each day(See Exact Times Above). He then told me he cannot take the training. Friends there was no ripoff. He just changed this mind about taking the training and wants his money back.
Vinay told me that he has been out of work for some time prior to him signing up for the training. I asked him why would he sign up for the course when he does not have a current income. He could not answer my question which I asked several times.
Vinay decided he wanted his money back and assumes anyone who doesn't do what he asks is unethical and "Business Oreiented, and if it was in India he would have his request granted.
As the owner of the second longest operating yoga center in the Northwestern United States we take our responsibility seriously to offer clear policies for people who want to cancell out of trainings they have voluntarily signed up for.
These courses depend on the of the students making binding committments.
In being in business for over 35 years we have learned to clearly deal with students who cannot fufill the terms of the agreement by which we offer our courses by having all of our policies succinctly written so that there are no misunderstandings.
Because our policies, terms, and conditions are so clear to understand, we have few problems with students.
Not every student can follow up on their agreement.
Those who deal with the public will understand that some customers only want a refund and will resort to saying anyting and making things up that are just not true.
Our reputation for having clear policies where all contingencies are laid out in advance is well known and appreciated.
The qualtiy of our work and our good reputation is well known not just through out Washington State but also around the United States.
There are options for Vinay to take a similar training for which he has signed up for as noted above.
Richard Schachtel
Director The Center For Yoga of Seattle