Complaint Review: The Learning Annex

I purchased David Lindahl's Apartment House Riches Boot Camp at the Learning Annex Real Estate Wealth Expo (REWE) in San Francisco. During Mr. Lindahl's discussion about apartment houses and market cycles I became very interested in his product and wanted to learn more. He said that his course was on sale for $795 and if you didn't like it you could return it. For the $795 you would receive some materials at the seminar, attendance to a "Boot Camp" and some additional materials at the boot camp. He stated over and over that if his course wasn't for you, you could return it! Silly me, I believed him. I purchased his product along with a few other products that weekend. My intent, was to review and return the products those that didn't fit my criteria.

One of the other products that I purchased did not have an extended return guarantee by the speaker. I read the policy from the Learning Annex and promptly sent in my "return" certificate to get a refund on the product. The Learning Annex eventually did refund my money, but I had to threaten to dispute the charges and I had to send an email to the president of the company!

Mr. Lindahl was hosting a "boot camp" on May 13th in LA. I decided after reviewing other materials that I purchased at the REWE that Mr. Lindahl's products were not for me. I made multiple phone calls, and after not receiving a phone call back I emailed the Learning Annex on May 5th requesting instructions on how to make my return. I patiently waited for a reply from the Learning Annex, after not receiving anything, I again wrote to them on the 31st of May trying to follow up and get the issue resolved. The following is the response I received.

Ryan -

I must inform you that because you did not cancel your transaction within the allotted time frame (it had to be post marked by March 29th, 2006), we can not issue a refund for this purchase.

Please refer to the sales contract you signed at the time of purchase, as well as the Notice of Cancellation attached to that contract for the terms of your agreement.

Our return policy is in strict compliance with the Federal Trade Commission regulation, Title 16 Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 429 (16 CFR 429.1) concerning this type of purchase. In addition, you signed a contract acknowledging the statutory 3-day period, and under which you had until April 12, 2006, to postmark a proper Notice of Cancellation. We did not receive a Notice of Cancellation (or return of the product) postmarked on or before March 29th, 2006.

Unfortunately, our contractual obligations to our suppliers preclude our being able to accept late returns/cancellations. Please understand that, should you attempt to send the product back to us, we will be unable to take responsibility for it, and we will not ship it back to you.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely yours,
Linda B
Learning Annex NYC


That day, Linda and I exchanged multiple emails, in which I informed here that per Title 16 Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 429 (f) the Learning Annex and Mr. Lindal are not in compliance with the FTC ruling.

429.1 Says:
In connection with any door-to-door sale, it constitutes an unfair and deceptive act or practice for any seller to: (f) Misrepresent in any manner the buyer's right to cancel.

It is clear that the Learning Annex and Mr. Lindahl did indeed misrepresent my right to cancel. I followed their guidelines for one other product and promptly returned it. In that case the Seller did not make any other warranties and as a result it was VERY clear that I had 3 days to cancel. However, Mr. Lindahl made an extended promise and I took my time carefully reviewing his materials before making a decision.

After working with the Learning Annex and trading a number of emails, they have informed me that they will not honor Mr. Lindahl's return guarantee and that I am out my $795. I have filed a complaint with my Credit Card Agency and will follow up with the New York BBB and Attorney General if this matter cannot be resolved quickly.

This is the 3rd problem I have had with the Learning Annex... There are also multiple other Rip Off Reports for the Learning Annex, make sure that you read all of the available information and make an informed decision before working with them.

Ryan
Modesto, California
U.S.A.