University of Phoenix online free course cost me $1,377.00! Rip-off! Phoenix Arizona
Kevin Krogulski, Academic Counselor & Brad Chatfield, Admissions Counselor were queried several times by me about their "special" free first time student course. During several phone conversations with Brad, I was told the first course was free. The books and registration fees were waived if I completed the course. Brad explained this special was to provide the student an opportunity to find out if "on line" learning was a fit.
I asked several times via e-mails and during phone conversations, what the cost of courses are should I decide to pursue a degree. I was given vague answers such as "It depends on the degree or how many generals you need." Finally, a few days before my "free" course, I was given a cost of $350 per credit. Most classes are 3-4 credits, totaling $1,200+ for each course. I told Brad this was far too expensive for me to pay $40K for a Bachelor's Degree and that I would just do the "free" course to avoid paying the books and registration fees. He did not make any remarks about this other than trying to talk me into reconsidering my decision and making points why there was value to paying $40K.
Two days after my "free" class began, my credit card bill arrived with a $1,266.00 charge from the University of Phoenix. I immediately called Alicia Miner, University's Financial Dept. She informed me that the charge of $1,266.00 was for this course I had begun two days earlier! I explained what Brad had told me about this course being free and she transferred me to Brad.
We had a frustrating discussion in that he denied misleading me. He pointed out that I had signed the financial paper that states I would pay cash for the courses. I explained that I had signed it with the belief that this was for future classes, should I decide to take any and not for this first course. His only solution was to suggest I drop the class in order to get a refund for the $1,266.00 charge. I dropped the class an hour later and was only given a partial refund of $927.00. I called to complain about this and spoke to Kristi Bien and also her supervisor, Rebecca. They both insisted that the refund was accurate.
All of this happened in October and November 2003. Now in April 2004, I was billed $111.00 from University of Phoenix for the books. I tried to return them in October and they refused to take them back. The books were never used and they claimed the books couldn't be used by anyone else. The books are listed as a "starter pack" and definitely not worth $111.00! I disputed the charge on my credit card so University of Phoenix sent the bill to a collector.
In order to safe guard my credit rating, I had to pay a ransom of this $111.00. This free "course" ended up costing me $350.00! This is a harmful scam run by con artists. This course did not contain any useful knowledge but was merely a general introductory course for on line learning. I strongly advise anyone to stay away from this rip-off University of Phoenix Online.
Debra
Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Lloyd
Belmont,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Key Points to keep in mind
#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 19, 2004
What really amazes me is not so much of all the complaints that the Online Program is receiving, but the lack of response from the Staff to insure that they are actually trying to solve the problem.
Basic economics hints that it costs more to solve the next complaint and the more complaints there are the more increase in costs. Simply stated: Avoid solving complaints because they will just increase the cost.
I am a graduate from the UOP with a Bachelors in Management and to hear that there are basic functionality problems within the university not being resolved is saddening. Who would have guessed that the alumni which students hold proud would just hid in the background instead of coming forward to solve these issues.
The rebuttals on a few complaints I read from staff members only seemed to make the issues worst rather that confirming that there are corrective actions being conducted.
If the Online Program wants to remain competitive then executive level staff members need to become involved and clean these problems up. There are way too many complaints to say that it is isolated to only a selected few.
There is a limit to all this madness because in reality for every student complaint posted there are 10 other students with the same complaint.
In the Capstone Class I wrote a report about professional educational dilemmas, and this report was quickly rejected by the Staff Instructor. I was required to go back and re-write the assignment about a different situation.
In the first report, I addressed the dilemma that affects most of society which is primarily the results of a controversial subject dealing with weak or non-existent ethical educational factors and the existence of greed that is evident with most levels of the educational system.
This report addressed concerns of the validity, acceptance, and respect that society places on degrees and the ratings of universities. The concerns addressed should not be challenged based on my perception, but rather society's perception of efficiency and effectiveness.
1. Does the university take an active interest in their student's development or are students being treated as Cash Cows?
2. Is there a sense of pride in obtaining a degree from a certain school and is their degree marketable?
3. Are graduate students been approached with employment offers from large corporations when they were in their final educational stage?
4. Are graduate students gaining enough knowledge and confidence to embark on self-employment adventures?
I am not an Online Student; I attended actual On-campus classes for the BSM degree. To tell you my facts, I have not been offered any high level position since I added the BSM degree to my resume.
However, since pursuing a master's degree from a different university and placing the UOP as a secondary educational source there has been opportunity improvements. So, I can conclude (for my own self) that the UOP was a great launching platform into a primary university's Graduate Program.
Here are the Key Points to keep in mind: The last degree anyone holds is the most important, so do not make it a cheap one. If anyone needs a degree to keep their existing job then a secondary university may be worth the cost. If anyone needs a degree to obtain employment then a primary university should be considered.