ATA Black Belt Academy

We contracted a patio project with Preferred Remodeling We are extremely happy with the final outcome Martin and his team are very professional and skilled They listened to our expectations and met every one with fine detail We would highly recommend this company and plan on contacting them with our next project

Review: Before our contract was up, we were at a juncture asking for our options and information on possible early termination. The business stated that cancellation was 2 months worth or tuition, or alternatively we could select a freeze on our account for an undisclosed amount of time. We opted for the freeze, where a minimal charge was put onto our account every month in place of tuition. Over a year later, we were notified that the freeze was coming to an end. I said we would no longer be returning. The business proceeded to charge my bank account the full month's tuition. I reached back out, and was only then told that because we opted for the freeze, we can no longer cancel our contract, which was only an option earlier on. They proceeded to charge my account for 2 more months before I sought legal advice. The original cancellation fee is 2 months worth of tuition, which they have already deducted more than that of. I put a stop payment on my bank account, and informed them via email that our business relationship was over. The next month, they still proceeded to process a charge on my account. They have not responded back to my last email, and at this point, we are past our original contract expiration date.Desired Settlement: An email that confirms our contract is over, as well as a check for the additional 3rd extra month's worth of tuition that was charged.

Business

Response:

Thank you for your time and the fact that you realize there is another side. Consumer contacted me with sad news of financial difficulties and inability to pay. I did not have any structure set up at that time for that. I set up a 6 month FREEZE for the customer with the stipulation it was a service charge for the FREEZE. It was not in lieu of the monthly tuition. Any FREEZE automatically extends the agreement expiration date. In 6 months I contacted her again and then it was her son was hit by a car and could not come back until he was medically cleared. I asked how long and we did another 6 month FREEZE. Obviously she feels that I just lowered my tuition to $10 a month and she was paying that. That was never the conversation. At the end of the 6 month FREEZE, I let her know that it was over and it would be returning to the tuition as agreed upon by the contract we have. That’s when it went crazy. I was nice and that was okay when it suited her needs. Now that it is back to the contract and I am made out to be the unreasonable one. She asked to stop the bank draft and I asked how she wanted to pay the remainder of the agreement. When the tone changed on her part, it did not make any sense to argue over the email. I am professional and am handling it as such. I run a legitimate business and have legitimate business practices. She asked for a copy of the agreement. I sent that in lieu of arguing with her over an email. I felt sorry for her situation and tried to help and now look. I never had to put it on a FREEZE. As you can see there is not a complaint about my actual business. It’s buyer’s remorse and she just doesn’t want to pay anymore. We have a great program. Customers want to change up the writing on the contract to satisfy their needs. My only mistake was providing a FREEZE for her financial struggles. Regards, Sr. [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

I was not unclear of the fact that the freeze was not in lieu of monthly tuition. What was misrepresented to me was the fact that the option to cancel was only offered that one time in the beginning, and now no longer available. If at the original request last year [redacted] had clearly informed me that if I chose the freeze I wouldn't be able to cancel later on, I would not have opted for the freeze. After the freeze ended, I let [redacted] know that my son just isn't interested in returning, and that we'd like to cancel. Initially I was mistaken that the at the end of the freeze, if I had said we were no longer returning, that would be the end of discussion. That is when [redacted] said that I had chosen the freeze instead of cancellation. By this time, our account had already been charged one full month's tuition. I asked [redacted] to please charge another month's worth of tuition and cancel our contract because that was the original offer: cancellation at the cost of 2 month's tuition.

My complaint is that at in March of 2012, [redacted] gave us the option of a freeze or to cancel. She never informed us that choosing the freeze would forfeit our right to cancel later on. After the freeze was up, suddenly we no longer had the choice to cancel.

I'm not sure why [redacted] thinks this situation 'went crazy.' I am firm in my emails and have consulted legal advice, but that's a very standard process when disputing a contract. I have not once been disrespectful or unprofessional in my tone. I appreciate that [redacted] was trying to help our situation, and am asking her not to rescind the choices she has given us.

Again, my complaint is the misrepresentation of our options. We were offered an option to cancel in 2012, and now all of a sudden it's no longer an option. [redacted] gave us that option last year. I just want my right to still elect that option.

Regards,

Business

Response:

In her return she does reference my offer of Option to Freeze OR Cancel. She obviously chose to freeze. I just know if my mom offered me a cookie or a piece of cake. If I ate the cookie I could not have the cake now. She even stated the "OR" she denied that offer before. If I offered $10 as a tutition rate then why wouldn't she have brought her child in for classes during their financial struggles. It was clear that it was a service charge for the freeze and did not take place of tuition, I am sorry she feels the way she does but I did not misrepresent any options then or now. She has a copy of the agreement

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

If Mrs. [redacted] had clearly stated that her offer of a cancellation in March of 2012 would be retracted, I would never have chosen the freeze. Again, as I stated before, I'm well aware that the $10 monthly charge was not in place of tuition. That is not what's being disputed. I also never denied that Mrs. [redacted] offered a freeze or a cancellation. That is also not what this dispute is about. My dispute is that Mrs. [redacted] wants to hold me to a contract that she herself altered. Mrs. [redacted] offered me an option to cancel at the cost of two months' worth of tuition. After the freeze, she has had more than that amount withdrawn from my banking account.

My dispute is the misrepresentation that the offer to cancel is no longer available. Mrs. [redacted] cannot hold me to a contract she herself altered by offering me an early cancellation. I have paid that cost, and consider our business relationship to be over.

Thank you,

The business stated that

cancellation was 2 months worth or tuition, or alternatively we could select a

freeze on our account for an undisclosed amount of time.

Business

Response:

The freeze made the payments from one year ago past due. We offer 2 month cancellation for payments up to date and from date of formal email or written notice. The freeze was for a specific amount of time and she was contacted a second time and given another 6 month extension based on her circumstances. She flat out rejected the cancellation when offered over a year ago and wanted the freeze option. The freeze did not make the payments go away. They are now due.