- Report: #122142
Complaint Review: SmartCertify Direct - Clearwater Florida
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SmartCertify Direct
25400 US 19 N Suite 285 Clearwater, 33763 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
727-724-8994
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SmartCertify Direct - Skillsoft Dishonest Think before you commit read the warranty Clearwater Florida
Thank you for this web site it has saved me $3600.00/$1900.00
I was also contacted by a salesperson from SmartCertify and i was impressed, lucky for me I was able to put off the sales person and requested email from him (Jeff Montegomery). Came across Rip Off web site and read the comments. I do beleive that SmartCertify is a dishonest in their customer service and marketing tactics.
One needs to look at the History of SmartCertify and SkillSoft.
First Skillsoft merged with Smartforce in September 2002. Skillsoft had to restate earnings from the Smartforce merger (Smartforce earnings was incorrectly stated), due to a suit filed on behalf of their investors finally settled in 2004, this information can be found on the SkillSoft web site.
The Smartforce name was dropped in favor of a new name SmartCertify and moved to Florida.
Skillsoft world headquarters is located Dublin Ireland (direct from the Skillsoft web site)
Four years ago I took 3 courses at New Horizons working toward a MSCA passed one test but not the other two,was able to get half of my money back due to their guarnatee,took only 30 days with no problems.
New Horizons with the fast paced classroom enviornment and the part time teachers with certifications pays for the first round of tests, but they do tell you that one must used Examcram and other study books/aids to increase your chances of passing the tests on the first try.
SmartCerfity does not even pay for the tests which is an addtional expense out of your pocket.
According th their Warranty, you must fail four test, two CertBlaster, and two Certifications tests. If you need to take 3 or 4 or 5 courses for a complete certification, that is a total of 12, 16 or 20 tests you must pay for and fail before you get a full refund. Remember you must wait 5 days to retake the exams, so if you need take 20 test that is a total of 100 days, which leaves only 20 days for studying 5 courses.
SkillSoft is outsourcing most of their work (directly from their web site)and is probalby watered down material for their discounted education certification programs listed under their division with the brand name of SmartCertify(formely Smartforce)
Their 24/7 online course help is from another division called 24/7.
One can buy all of the books needed to pass a certification program from any book store at a cheaper price.
John
new orleans, Louisiana
U.S.A.
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
I was also contacted by a salesperson from SmartCertify and i was impressed, lucky for me I was able to put off the sales person and requested email from him (Jeff Montegomery). Came across Rip Off web site and read the comments. I do beleive that SmartCertify is a dishonest in their customer service and marketing tactics.
One needs to look at the History of SmartCertify and SkillSoft.
First Skillsoft merged with Smartforce in September 2002. Skillsoft had to restate earnings from the Smartforce merger (Smartforce earnings was incorrectly stated), due to a suit filed on behalf of their investors finally settled in 2004, this information can be found on the SkillSoft web site.
The Smartforce name was dropped in favor of a new name SmartCertify and moved to Florida.
Skillsoft world headquarters is located Dublin Ireland (direct from the Skillsoft web site)
Four years ago I took 3 courses at New Horizons working toward a MSCA passed one test but not the other two,was able to get half of my money back due to their guarnatee,took only 30 days with no problems.
New Horizons with the fast paced classroom enviornment and the part time teachers with certifications pays for the first round of tests, but they do tell you that one must used Examcram and other study books/aids to increase your chances of passing the tests on the first try.
SmartCerfity does not even pay for the tests which is an addtional expense out of your pocket.
According th their Warranty, you must fail four test, two CertBlaster, and two Certifications tests. If you need to take 3 or 4 or 5 courses for a complete certification, that is a total of 12, 16 or 20 tests you must pay for and fail before you get a full refund. Remember you must wait 5 days to retake the exams, so if you need take 20 test that is a total of 100 days, which leaves only 20 days for studying 5 courses.
SkillSoft is outsourcing most of their work (directly from their web site)and is probalby watered down material for their discounted education certification programs listed under their division with the brand name of SmartCertify(formely Smartforce)
Their 24/7 online course help is from another division called 24/7.
One can buy all of the books needed to pass a certification program from any book store at a cheaper price.
John
new orleans, Louisiana
U.S.A.
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Vicki
Yukon,Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
Question for Brian-Smartcertify employee
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, February 03, 2005
Brian, you said, "..Microsoft post a 5 star rating of the Windows 2003 course right on there websight." I would like to know EXACTLY where on the Microsoft website that you read this. I have searched the Microsoft Directory services, and Smartcertify is not even listed...Their parent company, Skillsoft is, but not as a training partner or software partner. They are listed as a solutions and services partner. Brian, dont get quiet on me now...I really am interested in acquiring this information. Thank You in advance.
Brian
Spring Hill,Florida,
U.S.A.
Your facts are not correct
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 16, 2004
Smartforce was purchased by Skillsoft in 2002, Smartcertify was always a division of Smartforce, Skillsoft restated the earnings of Smartforce becouse they changed from a cash on paper to a cash in house system. Therebye only reporting money collected rather than accounts recevable or earnings witch had not yet been recevid. AS STATED ON THE SIGHT< Smartforce had several multi year contracts totaling millions of $$. The settelment in the law suit was due collapse of stock prices based upon earnings reports from CBT Systems group, witch became Smartforce several years pryor, (information also made available on Nasdaq) CBT systems/Smartforce was based in dublin, however corporate office for Skillsoft is in Nassua, NH, not Clearwater, Smartcertify has always been in Clearwater about 10 years if you research the company history you will see that Smartcertify is a division of Skillsoft. as far as pricing goes New Horizons cost several thousand dollars more than smartcertify, i cheched tham out first, they are also the testing center at most locations, therefor it is easyer to include testing cost in there program, the ExamCram is your free pre-testing to pinpoint any weakness before you take a real exam, no matter how you train you should always pre-test. it sounds like you spent alot on the MSCA, did you mean MCSA? anyway you stated they gave you a 50% refund, was the other 50% more than $250? becouse thats all it would have cost to fail the exam 2x's with the Smartcertify course, just cureious. Smartcertify is a great company, they make a solid program, it works for thousands of peaple thats a FACT! Microsoft post a 5 star rating of the Windows 2003 course right on there websight, & acording to Nasdaq they posted earnings of $52.5 million last quarter, and is projected to grow by 113.89% in a industry that is projected to grow 26% over the same span.(data available through nasdaq.com)good luck with your MSCE,
