Dexter Tenison Fitness MSS Memphis Adventure Bootcamp Dexter Tenison Dexter Tenison Fitness: Unfair Business Practices Took Advantage of Me - Refused to Give Refund! Memphis, Tennessee
Dexter Tenison is a fitness consultant and personal trainer who trains women in fitness and nutrition. When I first met Dexter, I liked him. I was impressed by his personal story of weighloss and I thought he could probably help me as well. His fees were higher than my budget so initially I could not participate. However, through his email blog, he offered a special that I could afford and decided to take advantage of. The program, I enjoyed and felt that while I also got injured and honestly experienced a lot of pain, was also beneficial. I did lose inches if not pounds. I write this to be clear. My problem is not with Dexter as a trainer. I have no problem with his training program. My problem is with Dexter as a business person.
While I was actively participating in the initial month-long program, Dexter invited me to participate in an invitation only program that would last for six months, that some of his other clients were participating in. The total cost of this program was $299. On May 3, 2010, about two weeks before I would end the current program and be able to start, I decide to participate and gave Dexter the full payment. In the interim, however, several things changed in my business and personal life that made me rethink my decision. So, on May 12, the day before I planned to start the $299 program, I emailed Dexter to tell him that I had a new job and along w/some other factors, I would be unable to do the program at this time. I hoped to start it later, but for now, I could not do it. I assumed that since I contacted him before starting and I also had signed no contracts nor been told anything about not being able to get a refund... I assumed I would get a refund. But not with Dexter. A week passed and I received no refund. When I contacted Dexter about it, he simply said this program he would not refund, but I could do the program later. I don't want to do any program later with Dexter. This program REQUIRES you to try and send Dexter monthly referrals, because it is discounted. In good conscience, I could not recommend Dexter now because of what I perceive to be unfair business practices that take advantage of people.
The reason I say Dexter has unfair business practices:
I did not rely only on my own instincts with this assessment. I spoke with several reputable local business and business people who also happen to be in the fitness, personal training and nutrition business, and have been for 10 plus years. In each case, when I explained this scenario to them, they would have refunded my money if I no longer chose to participate in the program and cancelled PRIOR to beginning the program. In most cases, they have agreements with up to 30 day cancellation policies. For this program, Dexter has NOTHING WRITTEN ANYWHERE concerning a cancellation policy. Mind you, he DOES have a paragraph written about a cancellation policy on his website that states if you cancel prior to starting, you can get a refund. However, when I inquired about this, he told me that that statement does not apply to the program I was joining. Of course! The fact that that isn't written anywhere shouldn't mean anything. Everyone should just be able to figure that out on their own when dealing with Dexter. The business people that I consulted also told me that even without a written policy, it would simply be the RIGHT THING TO DO to refund the client's money. Lastly, what savvy, sensible and reputable business person would risk ruining their business image and degrading any integrity they had to have such a dissatisfied client???? Had Dexter handled this matter differently, I probably would have returned to train with him later when things changed in my life circumstances. He seems to be very short-sighted and very money hungry to have handled this situation this way. I admonish anyone using Dexter to be sure to discuss his cancellation and all other policies that he may have (that may not be in written form) with him PRIOR to paying him anything, or LET THE BUYER BEWARE!
3 Updates & Rebuttals
ROSEI
United States of AmericaDexter Tenison Fitness MSS adventure bootcamp, memphis adventure bootcamp Dexter Tenison Paid My Refund memphis, Tennessee
#4Author of original report
Tue, June 08, 2010
Recently I wrote two posts accusing Dexter Tenison of unfair business practices and of refusing to pay my refund. This is an update to that report.
Since writing those reports, Dexter and I have renewed communication and Dexter has paid the money owed. I actually received a check in today's mail.
I deeply regret that Dexter and I had this issue and that I wrote a ripoff report. Dexter is a very good personal trainer (I never had any problems with his program) and in no way do I want or intend to blemish Dexter's business. We simply had a misunderstanding, that has been cleared up.
I want to thank Dexter Tenison for all he did to help me with my training for the month that I trained with him. I regret that because of injuries, job and family issues I was unable to continue to train with him. However, I do hope that Dexter and I can work together in the future because Dexter is the kind of trainer that helps you get good results but without the high pressure tactics.
Thank you Dexter, for sending the refund. I'm glad that we were able to work this out amicably.
ROSEI
United States of AmericaDexter Tenison Needs to Improve His Business Practices and BE FAIR to ALL his clients.
#4Author of original report
Fri, May 21, 2010
On many occasions, as part of his marketing strategies, Dexter offers special pricing. Of course, anyone who started training with dexter prior to his offering the special will pay the regular price. I saw the special and jumped onboard. But just because I got in on an advertised special while others paid full price does not mean I should not be treated fairly. Whatever price anyone pays for a service, if:
1. They are never given an agreement or contract
2. They cancel prior to taking advantage of any services
THEY ARE ENTITLED TO A REFUND!
I am committed to working out daily, as I told Dexter, and I credit him with getting me started. As I told him, whether I attended his classes or not, I make a commitment to work out at least an hour at least 5 days a week, but most weeks 6 or 7. Dexter can interpret this as my not wanting to do the work, etc. but that's his issue, not mine.
He may interpret it as my wanting a free ride... again, his issue, not mine. I paid the price he advertised and asked, as did others who took advantage of the same deal, so don't act like you were doing ME a favor. For the program that I intended to join, I even paid in full when I could have paid a much smaller monthly fee.
I discussed this issue with a very nice and well established local athletic/health club to determine how they handle such issues. I explained in detail exactly what happened to me. They assured me that I would never have this problem with them. They would work with me, and if, as in my case with Dexter, I had to cancel due to personal / work issues, PRIOR to my ever starting the membership, and I wanted my money back, MY MONEY WOULD BE REFUNDED! Full stop. Did they say this just to get me to join? No! This is just how professionals handle business. But of course, even in that case, I would have signed an agreement which both parties (me AND the club) understood. Also, I would have EXPECTED to adhere to the TERMS OF AGREEMENT, and I would have done so. I have no problem with this because at least, when you join -- if you have the terms laid out in writing -- you both understand and agree with the terms, or you won't join in the first place! This is how it should have been handled. This is business, not kindergarden.
Dexter is not the only personal trainer giving quality and affordable group fitness and nutrition classes! Many of the health clubs around town do the same. Had I known that Dexter handled his financial business with clients like this... had I been given any terms of agreement, I would perhaps have made a different choice from the outset. But I wasn't given that and I foolishly took for granted that I was dealing with a person of integrity who would do the right thing under all circumstances. Unfortunately, in my case, this was not the case.
What I have a problem with is people dealing in business in ways that seem like they're flying by the seats of their pants! When you don't provide information about your policies and terms, but you the business person expect your clients to abide by them, this is what you are doing. Dexter Tenison did not provide me any term of agreement. I signed no contractual agreement. He seems to operate by the "Feels" method. Whatever he feels like doing at the time, that's what he does. In my case, although I did not start the program and told him I could not at this time in my life, he felt that because I had given him money, he had the right to keep it.
Bottom line:
Money was paid for a SERVICE. The client NEVER USED the service. The service was CANCELLED PRIOR TO the service start date. The money should be REFUNDED.
Sandi
Memphis,Tennessee,
United States of America
Dexter Tenison Fitness
#4General Comment
Fri, May 21, 2010
Dexter started working with me as a Personal Trainer in December 2008. That following April, I lost my job and Dexter did not want me to quit, so he reduced his charges for me to continue. When he started the boot camp, I still wasnt working and he knew how badly I wanted to continue my program, so he allowed me to help him with the boot camp in return for me attending as a trade-off. Trust me, he does CARE more about his clients getting healthy than the money. The person complaining about Dexter got a VERY reduced rate and to get that rate, it had to be paid for 6 months up front. If you go sign up at a gym, they will normally charge you $400 a year.this is paid whether you go everyday or NEVER! You do not get your money back. When everyone else is paying $100 to $200 a month for boot camp, and you are given a deal of $49.99 a month with a commitment of 6 months.dont complain!!! She can come back to boot camp at any time she wants to during the 6 months which is what Dexter wants us to do..ATTEND the classes.
I really get upset to see a good person get their name smeared because someone makes a commitment, then just because they dont feel like coming anymore, expect all their money back! Get real people. Dexter goes out of his way to help those that are trying and really want to get fit and healthy. He lets people pay by check when he should only be taking credit cards, he will give them breaks..just always goes the extra mileif you are willing to help yourself. There is no FREE ride. You make a commitment, stick to it or stop your whining!