Art Academy of San Diego

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Thank you for your assistance in this matter but I do not appreciate the manner in which Director Burton repliedFirst, it is irresponsible and unbecoming for the owner of an organization - any organization - to make a claim that a complaint is the first of its kind in years Any business/organization/company/entity is going to receive varied complaintsThis includes the most successful, well-run, established organizations.Second, the assertion that I moved on to several projects without finishing is misleading at best The only times I moved on to new projects without finishing was when I did not receive the assistance and instruction that was promised in the course description and was denied numerous times in numerous classes by the instructor for support This would not have been the case if the instructor did indeed adapt the class to meet the individual needs of students I would have received the support that was guaranteed and would not have needed to move on to a new project It's rather insulting that the Director assumes I would pay money and spend time to not complete projects This is the antithesis of signing up for the course.Third, the Director was not at any of my classes Therefore he was not able to and did not observe any of the classes
Regards,
*** ***

Dear [redacted]:  This is in response to your letter, complaint ID [redacted].  I have attempted to return Norris'  telephone call, and have not received a response to my call. I am forwarding you the previous e-mails I have exchanged with the student who filed the complaint.  In the 16...

years I have been the owner and director of the Art Academy of San Diego, I have never received such a complaint before.  As stated below to the student, my observations of this instructor are that she does indeed teach the techniques described in the course description, and adapts the class to meet the individual needs of the students in the class.  This student did not finish a project because she started several and moved to a new one without finishing.  I personally teach another class on the same night and have ample opportunity to observe the class, and am also available for students who have concerns.  The reason I did not refund her money is that she attended all 7 classes, never expressed dissatisfaction to me during that time, and our policy is clearly stated when students sign up for classes.  We had another instructor at a different time and could have offered her a transfer into that class. I would have been happy to work with her had she come to me during the session, but to finish the class and then request a refund is unreasonable, and not within our stated policy. Sincerely yours,[redacted]Director###-###-####ps.  I am out of the country for the Thanksgiving holiday and will return Dec. 1. On Monday, September 22, 2014 4:56 PM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:Art Academy of San Diego3784 30th St.San Diego, Ca 92104###-###-####www.artacademyofsandiego.com-------- Original Message --------Subject: Re: Jewelry Making Course ComplaintFrom: [redacted] <[redacted]>Date: Thu, September 18, 2014 12:48 pmTo: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>Hello Mr.[redacted] I sent this email over a week ago and have not received a response. If I do not receive a response I will be contacting the Revdex.com and leaving reviews about my experience on the appropriate review sites. Thank you, [redacted] ###-###-####On Tue, Sep 9, 2014 at 9:13 AM, [redacted] <[redacted]> wrote:Hello Mr.[redacted] Thank you for your reply. I understand that students work at different paces.  I have worked in education for 15 years at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. I also understand that there will be personality differences and preferences when working with people. My dissatisfaction with the course is not due to a personality conflict but the fact that the course did not match the course description.  The instructor did not uphold her end of the commitment.I did not miss a class. I  completed all seven days.  I repeatedly expressed my concern to [redacted] about our lack of completing projects and what was stated in the course description. I continued to attend the classes because I was promised on multiple occasions that we would learn and complete the stated projects "next week."I look forward to hearing from you.[redacted] On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 12:22 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:Hello [redacted],I'm sorry you are upset over your experience at the Academy. [redacted] has been teaching with us for over 10 years and this is the first time I have received a complaint like this. She is a very serious artist and instructor and I have observed her as a very organized and compassionate teacher.I teach a painting class on Monday nights while she has a jewelry class and have observed her and the work created by her students for years and must say she teaches what is stated in her course description. As far as not completing projects, every students works at different speeds and competency and its hard to gauge this. I have had some students complete a painting exercise in a class or two while others take 7 weeks.Our refund policy is clearly stated in your confirmation and the fact that you came to six out of seven classes makes it appear this frustration you have came to you later rather than sooner. We go out of our way to address our students concerns and to try to make them happy but I'm afraid in this case it is not going to happen.Sincerly,[redacted]Art Academy of San Diego3784 30th St.San Diego, Ca 92104###-###-####www.artacademyofsandiego.com-------- Original Message --------Subject: Re: Jewelry Making Course ComplaintFrom: [redacted] <[redacted]>Date: Tue, September 02, 2014 12:57 pmTo: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>Hi [redacted], I am following up on my email as your office has opened again. I would like to set up a time to speak with someone. Let me know what time works best. Thank you![redacted] On Thu, Aug 14, 2014 at 10:14 AM, [redacted] <[redacted]> wrote:Hi [redacted], Thank you for your response. I didn't realize that the school was closed for a few weeks. I look forward to hearing from you when you return. Thank you![redacted] On Tue, Aug 12, 2014 at 7:29 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:[redacted],I am not currently in the office, but when I am I will look at your file. In the meantime, please read our policy regarding refunds in the confirmation email sent after you registered for your class. I am very sorry you had an unsatisfactory experience in [redacted]'s class, and I hope that you still hold the Art Academy in high esteem.Thanks,[redacted]Art Academy of San Diego3784 30th St.San Diego, Ca 92104###-###-####www.artacademyofsandiego.com-------- Original Message --------Subject: Re: Jewelry Making Course ComplaintFrom: [redacted] <[redacted]>Date: Mon, August 11, 2014 10:43 amTo: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>Hello-I sent this email over a week ago and have not received a response. I would like to be contacted regarding this matter. Thank you,[redacted]###-###-####> On Aug 2, 2014, at 5:03 PM, [redacted] <[redacted]> wrote:> > Mr. [redacted] > > I am writing you today to express my dissatisfaction and disappointment in the Jewelry Making 1 course. The seven week course fulfilled very little of the billed and stated expectations. We were not able to complete any projects listed on the description of the course, despite the fact that multiple members of the class asked about the projects. We did not finish anything we were told we would. The major reason for this was the instructor, [redacted]. She was rude, condescending, and had the tendency to belittle those that asked questions. She was not helpful or a value-add. Essentially, the class became a space to work as opposed to learn. In addition to this, [redacted] was not respectful of our time. She would arrive late and attempt to remedy that by telling us we could stay later if we wanted. As a busy, working professional, I found [redacted]'s lack of respect and professionalism disappointing and frustrating.> > I hope that you are understanding of the impact the class had on me. I am writing you to make you aware of the quality of instruction at your institution and to request a refund of the amount I paid for the classes. I look forward to hearing from you soon.> > [redacted]> ###-###-####

Review: I recently attended Jewelry Making I (C), a seven week course, with [redacted] at the Academy of Art San Diego. I am filing this complaint because the course description was misleading and multiple attempts to resolve the issue with the Academy were unfruitful. The course description states: "Get acquainted with the basic tools of the jewelers craft and their proper use. Learn about cold connections; a method of joining metals without soldering, as you make a pair of earrings. Additionally, you will practice joining pieces of copper using different soldering techniques with torches. You will make a sterling silver ring as you learn about surface embellishment techniques. You may buy materials from your instructor as needed." The reason the course description is misleading is because we were not taught to solder, did not make a pair of earrings or a ring. On multiple occasions I asked the teacher when we would complete the items listed in the course description. Each time I was told that "we will get to that next week." However, at no point were we given the opportunity to complete the activities listed in the course description. I called and emailed the Director of the program, [redacted], on multiple occasions. I was told there was nothing that could be done and that I would not receive a refund.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded the cost of the course.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]: This is in response to your letter, complaint ID [redacted]. I have attempted to return Norris' telephone call, and have not received a response to my call. I am forwarding you the previous e-mails I have exchanged with the student who filed the complaint. In the 16 years I have been the owner and director of the Art Academy of San Diego, I have never received such a complaint before. As stated below to the student, my observations of this instructor are that she does indeed teach the techniques described in the course description, and adapts the class to meet the individual needs of the students in the class. This student did not finish a project because she started several and moved to a new one without finishing. I personally teach another class on the same night and have ample opportunity to observe the class, and am also available for students who have concerns. The reason I did not refund her money is that she attended all 7 classes, never expressed dissatisfaction to me during that time, and our policy is clearly stated when students sign up for classes. We had another instructor at a different time and could have offered her a transfer into that class. I would have been happy to work with her had she come to me during the session, but to finish the class and then request a refund is unreasonable, and not within our stated policy.