Complaint Review: Optimnem - Daniel Tammet - Chadwell Heath Nationwide

In response to Daniel's rebuttal to my prior comment.

Daniel states that "Optimnem's math course does not consist of lessons in how to do complex math problems in your mind". However it is clearly stated on their site that "You will be able to calculate any sum up to 99x99 in your head quickly and confidently". Daniel may not consider that a complex mental math problem, but I do.

"Though I am able to explain my savant abilities to scientists and researchers, I nowhere state that I am able to teach my abilities to others." My expectation of being able to learn something unique because of the advertising of Mr. Tammet's ability may have been unfounded but not an unreasonable expectation. If you are purchasing a mental math program from a number genius you expect that he will teach you something about how he does it.

"The course does a lot more than provide strategies for 2-digit multiplication. The course also includes division, addition and subtraction problems, powers, numerical sequences, Fibonacci numbers, triangle numbers, decimals, fractions, numerical memory etc". This statement is true that their course covers a wide range of issues. I do however have a problem with the quality of these other issues. Fibonacci numbers may be interesting but they will not help me do mental math in my opinion. It's a neat thing to read but it is useless information.

"No unit is devoted to one topic."
I inaccurately stated that one lesson was dedicated entirely to the decimal. That particular lesson also includes an explanation of where to put commas in numbers. For example it's not 20,0000 it would be 200,000. This is the issue that bothers me the most. When there is good instruction in this course it is great but the rest is pointless information like I showed in the above example. If you are a child or have a learning disorder this course may help you. However, it should be advertised to consumers that the content is not suited for everyone else.

The refund policy on the Optimnem site only allows for a refund if it is requested before the second lesson is received. As I said before, the first lesson is good, the rest are garbage. You go into this expecting them all to be just as good as the first, but they are not. So there is nothing that you can do. The customer service is great though, besides the fact that they won't give me my money back.

This company is misleading in it's advertising and should allow for partial or total refunds. Don't waste your money it's not as good as you think it might be!!!!

To preface my response to Jacob, Optimnem is in its third year and is an approved member of the UK's National Grid for Learning. We provide educational courses for individuals with various learning needs, ability and experience. As far as is possible, our course is broad enough to cover ground useful to a wide range of learners. In the very few instances where this has not proven the case, we do offer a full money-back guarantee, the terms of which are explicitly stated throughout the site, including the course sign-up page.

For clarity, I will rebut Jacob's points individually. Optimnem's math course does not consist of lessons in how to do complex math problems in your mind as he states. It is a course aimed at improving number confidence and includes units on mental calculation, among other things.

Second, I do run Optimnem, which I founded in 2002. Though I am able to explain my savant abilities to scientists and researchers, I nowhere state that I am able to teach my abilities to others.

Third, the course does a lot more than provide strategies for 2-digit multiplication. The course also includes division, addition and subtraction problems, powers, numerical sequences, Fibonacci numbers, triangle numbers, decimals, fractions, numerical memory etc.

Fourth, no unit is devoted to one topic. We do discuss decimal points in arithmetic as they are a common source of confusion for many people. But this is a very small part of the overall course.

Fifth, the discussion of fractions is given within the wider context of using visualisation as a method for better understanding what numbers represent. Jacob distorts this - again small - part of the course by not mentioning this.

Sixth, the terms of our refund are clearly stated throughout the site, including at the point of sign-up. The course comes with tutor support, but Jacob has made no attempt to make use of it. It is unfair to not actively participate in an educational course and then argue that it has not been useful to you.

To preface my response to Jacob, Optimnem is in its third year and is an approved member of the UK's National Grid for Learning. We provide educational courses for individuals with various learning needs, ability and experience. As far as is possible, our course is broad enough to cover ground useful to a wide range of learners. In the very few instances where this has not proven the case, we do offer a full money-back guarantee, the terms of which are explicitly stated throughout the site, including the course sign-up page.

For clarity, I will rebut Jacob's points individually. Optimnem's math course does not consist of lessons in how to do complex math problems in your mind as he states. It is a course aimed at improving number confidence and includes units on mental calculation, among other things.

Second, I do run Optimnem, which I founded in 2002. Though I am able to explain my savant abilities to scientists and researchers, I nowhere state that I am able to teach my abilities to others.

Third, the course does a lot more than provide strategies for 2-digit multiplication. The course also includes division, addition and subtraction problems, powers, numerical sequences, Fibonacci numbers, triangle numbers, decimals, fractions, numerical memory etc.

Fourth, no unit is devoted to one topic. We do discuss decimal points in arithmetic as they are a common source of confusion for many people. But this is a very small part of the overall course.

Fifth, the discussion of fractions is given within the wider context of using visualisation as a method for better understanding what numbers represent. Jacob distorts this - again small - part of the course by not mentioning this.

Sixth, the terms of our refund are clearly stated throughout the site, including at the point of sign-up. The course comes with tutor support, but Jacob has made no attempt to make use of it. It is unfair to not actively participate in an educational course and then argue that it has not been useful to you.

To preface my response to Jacob, Optimnem is in its third year and is an approved member of the UK's National Grid for Learning. We provide educational courses for individuals with various learning needs, ability and experience. As far as is possible, our course is broad enough to cover ground useful to a wide range of learners. In the very few instances where this has not proven the case, we do offer a full money-back guarantee, the terms of which are explicitly stated throughout the site, including the course sign-up page.

For clarity, I will rebut Jacob's points individually. Optimnem's math course does not consist of lessons in how to do complex math problems in your mind as he states. It is a course aimed at improving number confidence and includes units on mental calculation, among other things.

Second, I do run Optimnem, which I founded in 2002. Though I am able to explain my savant abilities to scientists and researchers, I nowhere state that I am able to teach my abilities to others.

Third, the course does a lot more than provide strategies for 2-digit multiplication. The course also includes division, addition and subtraction problems, powers, numerical sequences, Fibonacci numbers, triangle numbers, decimals, fractions, numerical memory etc.

Fourth, no unit is devoted to one topic. We do discuss decimal points in arithmetic as they are a common source of confusion for many people. But this is a very small part of the overall course.

Fifth, the discussion of fractions is given within the wider context of using visualisation as a method for better understanding what numbers represent. Jacob distorts this - again small - part of the course by not mentioning this.

Sixth, the terms of our refund are clearly stated throughout the site, including at the point of sign-up. The course comes with tutor support, but Jacob has made no attempt to make use of it. It is unfair to not actively participate in an educational course and then argue that it has not been useful to you.