Complaint Review: The College Prep Center La Mesa

My story is similar: they called, saying my daughter had signed up at her high school. The representative (Maurice Thrower) smoothly explained that I would have 30 days to examine materials and return them if not fully satisfied. I could expect them within one week (this was 7/21/07). On 8/10, I called and was told that they had shipped on 7/31. They didn't arrive until 8/11, with a postmark of "8/10." By now, the window of opportunity for my daughter to use the materials was passed, so I didn't even bother to open the bubblewrap.

The enclosed information said I needed an authorization code in order to return the materials for a full refund of 119.99. I called the number given several times on 8/11, 1/13, 8/14 and left a message on their machine, asking for a return call. No response.

On 8/15 got a message that their computers were down for the 15th and 16th. On the 17th and 20th and 22nd I continued calling with no response. In the meantime I had checked with the Better Business Bureau and found that there were already numerous complaints filed against them.

I had called my credit card company (VISA) and filed a dispute on the charge on 8/15 (which generally takes a minimum of 60 days to resolve...), which removed (at least temporarily) the charge from my card. Long story short, I sent back materials by registered mail to document that I returned the materials. VISA said that if I documented everything, that at the end of 60 days they would go to bat for me and not pay College Prep.

Additionally, I changed my credit card number (which is easy to do with VISA), so that College Prep could not bill me the 49.95 monthly for the scholarship service that they won't let me cancel by phone.

Rick
Shoreline, Washington
U.S.A.