American Bartenders School of NY

Review: On 4/**/14 I enrolled in their 40 hour bar-tending course and paid $350.00 in tuition. A week later I had to cancel my enrollment due to personal reasons. The [redacted] told me to submit a certified letter asking for a refund. On 5/*/14 I mailed a certified letter asking for a refund and have not received my refund.

I have called several times and left messages and they have not returned my calls or answered my questions.Desired Settlement: I want my $350.00 refunded to me as soon as possible. They provided no service to me, yet they took my money and won't give it back.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: When registering in the 40 hour program with American Bartending School with a gentleman by the name of [redacted], I was PROMISED that the employees there would set up interviews for us, and guarantee us a job as a bartender upon completion of the program. The last day of the program, all of the members of the class were given instructions on how to proceed with a resume and to go about finding a position. Some of us inquired about the promise that we were made at the beginning of the program about finding us a position. We were given email addresses to send our resumes to, and we would be helped. Personally, I made numerous phone calls to the school, and was always given the run around. [redacted] had been long gone. To this day, I have not received assistance, or have not found a job.Desired Settlement: I would like one of two things to happen: Refund my $700 and/or find me a position as a bartender.

Business

Response:

American Bartenders School has investigated the record of graduate [redacted]. Her claim that we have not fulfilled our obligation for job placement assistance is unjustified.

There are several points to support this:

Review: September [redacted] 2011 I enrolled in the school. I attended one day out of the 5 when my grandfather became ill. I attended to him daily and could not complete the program. My grandpa passed away 9 months. I tried to continue with the program but was unable to and due to financial reasons I moved to New Jersey with my wife and then 1 year old daughter. I called the school and was trying to get a refund. The gentleman I signed up with was working with me and I was told that I would be able to get some of my money back. After that conversation a [redacted] from the School told me that I'm not eligible for any refund whatsoever but never contacted the admissions person who's last name I can't make out but his first name is **. I feel that it's unfair that I will not be able to use the service due and can't get anything back. I've tried to talk with [redacted] but because I spoke to an attorney he now refuses to talk to me. Which is ok but it seems like unfair treatment for someone who gave the school over $600 for the 5 days that I can't receive anything. I'm a filmmaker and since this incident, I've been fortunate enough to have found a successful career anyone can see if you [redacted] my name. I'm only upset at the arrogance of the emails and making me feel like I'm just annoying the school cause I want my money back. The principle of it is my motivation. Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would like my money back for the time I didn't use. That's it.

Business

Response:

[redacted],

We at American Bartenders School pride ourselves on running an above board school for over 50 years in this industry and we are quick to admit when we've made a mistake. Additionally, we move forward to rectify any circumstances in which we are at fault in a manner most beneficial to the consumer/student.

However, in the circumstances involving [redacted], we strongly feel that this individual is attempting to misuse the authority of the bureau in an effort to defraud American Bartenders School.

[redacted] enrolled on September **, 2011 for a one week, full day bartending course at our school. His admission agent was [redacted]. There is and never was anyone here named "**". Keep in mind that full day courses consist of (2) classes per day in order to accrue (40) hours of lecture and lab in a (1) week period. [redacted] attended (4) days of a full day course, which is (8) out of (10) total classes. (All original attendance records are available by request for your review, along with the required oaths of attendance by the Instructors).

As per the NYSED refund policy, which we are mandated to adhere to, [redacted] had surpassed the number of classes in which he would be entitled to a refund.

After attending days of classes and then stopping unexpectedly, [redacted] went on a campaign of sending e-mails indicating how busy he was, though painfully unemployed, which prevented him from finishing the class in a timely manner. He then proceeded to send email updates over the course of years (literally) regarding his desire to return to finish the class at some point, but nonetheless was continually sidetracked by numerous maladies, alternate pursuits, etc.

We indicated to [redacted] that we would be more than happy to accommodate him and that we understood that he was having problems with scheduling, and agreed to not formally mark him as incomplete, therefore leaving the door open for him to not only return eventually and finish the class, but also to start from the beginning if need be to brush up on what he most certainly would have forgotten.

Now it is June of 2014, almost (3) years have passed since [redacted]'s enrollment for our ONE WEEK bartending class...which he attended most of.

I received multiple e-mails from [redacted] recently indicating that he now wished to withdraw...which is fine.

It's been so long since [redacted] has been here, the admission agent that was responsible for his enrollment was forced to leave us due to the progression of [redacted].

I explained to [redacted] that I would handle his account with us, and made him aware that if he formally terminated at this juncture, he would eliminate the chance to come back and finish the class and would still have no refund due. [redacted] was adamant that he had a refund coming to him. After several e-mails back and forth, [redacted] then claimed to have retained an attorney for the purpose of litigating against American Bartenders School. As a protocol, I have been instructed that in such a case (which seldom ever occurs), communication moving forward should be between advising counsel, and I informed [redacted] of that fact.

We are operating well within our rights as a licensed non-degree granting proprietary school and if a refund was due, it would have been reconciled timely.

There is no refund due to [redacted]. Not now, nor was there one due immediately following the several days he spent here almost (3) years ago.

In summation, it would seem that [redacted] is deluded and after years of us trying to assist him, he has decided that he wants to beat us for the services we provided.

My communication with [redacted] was always cordial, but it would seem that since I didn't cower to his 'strong arm tactics' in trying to obtain an undue refund, that made me "arrogant".

We humbly request that the Revdex.com close this unwarranted complaint on the basis of the allegations being completely fabricated in an attempt to obtain a refund in which the consumer is ineligible for by contract.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have and thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

Thank you for the reply. To suggest that I'm trying to defraud this organization is completely unacceptable and unwarranted. My professional record is proof that I have no interest in defrauding anyone. For 20 years I've worked in business managing health and fitness facilities throughout NYC with a stellar record along with awards that I can and will gladly bring to the table. I have managed million dollar facilities and would never attempt any dishonesty towards anyone or any organization. I left that industry to go into a career in film and have been successful there as well. Just [redacted] my name for proof of my work.

I feel that I didn't use the full service and should get some money back. That's it. If this institution is struggling and can not provide the money I gave them for this service, then that's another story but if they feel I do not deserve one dime of my money back, then that's a problem. I'm going to continue to try to get my hard earn money back and search for help from whatever organization can help me. It's not fair to me and now to be accused of trying to defraud this organization is just shocking.

I can provide my grandfather's death certificate and my current address. I'm also a father of a 3 year old and my wife is a teacher at [redacted] here in [redacted]. I'm an upstanding hard working man that had a few years when things got tough. Unfortunately things started getting tough after I paid almost $700 to this organization and started for just ONE day of this program. An organization should take into account each case based on merit and circumstances. Accusing someone of fraud before truly knowing who you're accusing is a serious offense and not any way of treating someone or running a school. Thank you Revdex.com for allowing me to express myself in this forum. [redacted]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

[redacted],

Thanks for working quickly to resolve this frivolous complaint.

Please find the documents you requested attached.

The signed enrollment agreement clearly states the terms of enrollment and refund policy.

Any student having accrued 60% or more of the program is not entitled to a refund.

The attendance is taken by the Instructor on the hard copy itself and double checked by the Assistant Instructor on a daily basis per class.

We run multiple classes per day.

I included all receipts.

[redacted] made (2) payments in person and one by phone via credit card. The signed credit card authorization form for the phone order is included here as well, along with the oath of attendance sheets required by the State Ed. Dept.

If I may be of further assistance, feel free to contact me any time.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

Now the school is saying that my claim is frivolous. The arrogance is very disappointing considering I was very happy when I started that one day. The school is a 5 days program and I went one day. I called [redacted] who was my instructor at the time and explained I wasn't able to attend. He never mentioned anything about losing my money if I don't come back. At one point [redacted] told me that he can give me my money back. Then someone over the phone told me that I can get half my money back. I want to speak to [redacted], the admission guy who I had a good relationship with and was trying to attend to my request. I would also like to see the attendance sheet with [redacted]s signature on it saying that I was there more than one day. It's promoted as a 5 day program and not a certain amount of classes program. My claim is not frivolous because I gave [redacted] and this school $700 and having a family to provide for it's not fair that I lose all my money. Please do the right thing and stop treating me so rudely. I don't deserve that. I paid you $700 for a service I used one day and can not continue. Please give me my money back. Thank you again to [redacted] for your assistance. [redacted]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: I registered with American Bartenders School with the promise that the school with set me up with a job after completion of the course. At the end of the 40 hour program, I received no help from the staff to find a job. The best they did for me was inform me of a website to refer to for jobs. I have continuously checked the website to find that it is rarely updated, and most positions require experience. It has been 2 years since I have completed the program. The school has done nothing to assist me in finding a job as a bartender or even reached out to establishments for interviews. Once a potential employer has seen my diploma, they are quick to ask if I have any experience, as well. Once the answer is no, their response is that they are looking for someone with experience over a diploma.Desired Settlement: Ideally, I would like to find a position as a bartender with some assistance from the school, as promised. If this is not going to happen, I think it is only fair that I am reimbursed.

Business

Response:

American Bartenders School has investigated the record of graduate [redacted] and we have determined that the accusation of not fulfilling our obligation for job placement assistance is false, unreasonable and unjustified.

There are several points to clarify: