Stratford Career Insititute complete scam, totally unethical practices, suing me for measly $192 that I don't owe Ripoff Washington District of Columbia
My wife a year ago signed up for their cosmetology courses, and they said that if she didn't like it, she could return the coursework in two weeks and we wouldn't be charged anything. Well, first off, she didn't like it and when we tried to return it, they said our two weeks was up because it took THREE weeks for the materials to get here. I called an administrator and this rude lady tried telling me that they never got their coursework back, so I called again a day later and complained and they said they got the coursework back and that it was supposedly resolved.
About a month later I get a bill from these guys demanding an amount in the range of $400, and I just tossed it thinking it was resolved and maybe this was just a late bill. Then yesterday I get a call from a Mr. Rowe saying that Stratford filed a lawsuit against my wife for the amount of $192 + $1000's in court and lawyer fees, and that they would be sending a Boone county Sheriff to serve me with court papers if I didn't settle out for $100. Just to get these punks off my back I settled for the $100, because who knows what this demonistic company would do in a lawsuit. They are the epitome of unethical business and every fake and worthless "School" out there should be shut down. Stratford Career Insititute is a vile, soulless company out the get your money on the pretense that they will help your education. Thay are taking advantage of underpriveleged people who are making genuine efforts to improve their lives and crushing their dreams under fine print, legal jargon, and claims of finding better jobs through their so-called "classes."
I currently am petitioning the Governor of Illinois to illegalize uncredited schools from offering home study classes and education.
Dustin
belvidere, Illinois
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Dustin
Belvidere,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Settled out of court, still getting harassed
#2Author of original report
Mon, February 26, 2007
A little while after typing the above report, we settled out of court with this Mr Rowe for $100 in december 06 to just get rid of the debt and get these people off our backs. Now in Feb '07, we get a letter from Stratford demanding the other $92 from the original amount of the debt. I call them and tell them that we settled out of court with their attorneys, but all this ignorant lady can say is "Well, you settled out with them, not us! It only makes sense that if you only paid $100, you should still owe the other $92!" This lady was a complete liar and moron, I explained to her that the whole point of settling out of court is to pay an agreed upon amount to avoid lengthy and costly court battles on both sides. She then got hostile with me, and hung up on me when I cornered her with my reasoning.
I called their lawyers/collection agency, and explained what their client was doing to me, and it seems they themselves aren't even happy with the way Stratford is doing business, and their representative agreed to send me a letter of settlement, proving the debt is paid and closed. I'm warning all of America do NOT do business with these people, they are sharks and extortionists.