Bartending Academy

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.An insufficient refund was issued only after a small claims suit was filed against the business on Wednesday 10/6/16.  Only $345 of the $445 was refunded.  I still seek the remaining $100 and the $158 in court fees. Regards,
[redacted]

The Bartending Academy has processed a refund on this 9 26 2016 in the amount of $345 we retained a one-time hundred dollar application fee for signed contract thank you Joe chase

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]The he reason I reject his response is because he is saying I didn't do a proper refresher course, what would that be, I showed up, was told to practice and take a test, which I did. The instructor said to complete the job placement form, which I did. They have cameras in the main lobby I believe so they will see me filling out the job placement form and handing it to the instructor. Yes I did ask her if I was supposed to fill out the form again because I said I did it before she told me in so many words that they weren't on file, so I filled out a new one. Nobody ([redacted] or the instructor) told me the procedure anout completing refresher courses or how job placement works, I actually learned about how their job placement works after talking to a bartender at BW3s who had also took the class a few years ago, that prompted my questions to chase.  Now he's telling Revdex.com I need to come into take a proper refresher course when my text messages say to bring him my receipt and to call the job placement as well as call him for some job leads, nothing about come in practice and take an actual refresher "so I don't make them look bad." He is complaining about me texting his personal cell phone, well the only reason I have that number is because he was ignoring me on his business line and when I asked for a number for someone who could better help me, that number reached out, never once did I know it was [redacted] I was speaking with until Sunday. Quite frankly, I think that was only disclosed because I was asking for corporate's number which I never got. The complaint with Revdex.com was done before he decided to be corporative with me, during the time he was responding rudely as I told him via text I didn't know it was a personal cell but his lack of professionalism and rudeness was not going to get him an apology, and instead of accepting that I didn't know he responded again with yet another rude response, then I made the Revdex.com complaint. Also since he is complaining, I called the office phone Monday (as stated in the text) and I still haven't received a callback about the leads he suggested he'd have for me on that Monday, no I did not call job placement line on Tuesday because I knew I wouldn't be able to go to the academy that week for work as my full time job required me there during Bartending Academy's hours, so it would have been pointless to call and waste their time. 
Regards,
[redacted]

The Bartending Academy cut a one-time $100 application fee per hour legally binding contract which the customer signed I texted him a copy of the credit card refund receipt on the day that he filed this complaint I don't believe he filed the lawsuit but even if you did it will be dropped because we've already refunded his money the Bartending Academy is considering this matter closed thank you

My name is [redacted] on the director of the Bartending Academy and have been since 2003 we've had the same location since then as well so we do run a reputable company I do allow students to come back for refresher courses at no cost not that I have to I just do that to be a good guy however with that...

being said we have a few ways that we handle these refresher courses the student needs to Come Back Inn spend the time to get their skills back up to speed then they need to fill out a job placement form letting us know where they want to work what type of hours an establishment they are looking for him this form also provides the student with the proper phone number and days to call for a job placement assistance when the students came back they didn't stick around very long they didn't retake the speed test which is required they also did not fill out a job placement for him and when asked to do so they said no I've already done all that and we're actually rude with the instructor it's our slow time of year so we don't have regular office hours this person decided that it was best to contact me via text on my personal cell phone and actually as of Sunday when I asked them to stop bothering me I told her to call me Monday the following day and I would help her with some job leads instead of doing this she decided to file a complaint with the Revdex.com the student attended our classes over a year ago any chance of a refund would have been gone after 3 days or the the fourth class they attended over a year ago per the contract the simple fact is we're happy to help our previous students obtain job leads as long as they're up to speed so they don't make us look bad so if the student would like to come back and do a proper refresher course and has the speed test would be happy to assist her and obtaining job leads there will be no refunds given because this person has obtained services and she has obtained skills thank you from the desk of Joseph [redacted] director of the Milwaukee Bartending Academy

Review: I signed up and paid the $450 dollars to learn to be a bar tender. Before the classes even started I decided not to attend. In the agreement if the cancellation is received, either verbally or written, before any class is taken it is a full refund minus possibly $100 for processing and it would take 40 days to receive the refund. They acknowledged receipt of my cancellation letter on 6/29 by [redacted]. I have talked to [redacted] a few times and it is long past the 40 days and I am getting the brush off in receiving my full refund as stated by [redacted] in our conversations. All I am told it is in process.Desired Settlement: I wish for the full $450 refund, as stated by [redacted], to be given and then I do not have to deal with them anymore.

Business

Response:

We have today

refunded $445.00 to [redacted] which is what he paid not $450 and this should

close the file

Thanks [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

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

I also would like to say it is a shame it took over the 40 days to get my refund.

Review: On May 17, 2014, $300.00 was withdrawn from my bank account by Bartending Academy (DBA Milwaukee Mixology West Allis) for mixology training. My classes were scheduled for two weekends in mid-June and I took off of work at my other job in order to attend their weekend training sessions. At the last minute, I found out that the weekend classes that I had taken off work to attend had to be postponed due to an insufficient number of attendees. I was told that I would be contacted with a new class date. After a few weeks without any call from Bartending Academy, I made numerous calls to their business. If I received an answering machine, I left a message for them to return my call. However, more often than not, the phone just rang endlessly without ever going to voicemail or an answering machine. I also personally went to their business establishment on numerous occasions but the door was locked and no one appeared to be inside. Finally, about two weeks ago, when I went to the Bartending Academy someone was actually there. I explained that I had paid for mixology training which I never received. Since I was unhappy with the manner in which they conducted business, I was no longer interested in their training and I wanted a full refund. A gentleman, named Tim, took my name and phone number and said that someone would be calling me back. To date, I have yet to receive any return call from anyone at Bartending Academy nor have I received a refund of the $300.00 that I paid almost four months ago for training that I NEVER received.Desired Settlement: I want a full refund of the $300.00 that I paid to Bartending Academy for mixology training that they never provided to me. I want them to cease and desist from their unethical practices of charging for services that are never rendered.

Business

Response:

The bartending Academy has contacted Mrs .[redacted] and issued a refund we are very sorry for the delay.

Consumer

Response:

"The bartending Academy has contacted Mrs .[redacted] and issued a refund we are very sorry for the delay." I waited patiently for the refund to appear in my bank account. However, as of today, October 3, 2014, I still HAVE NOT received a refund of $300.00 from the Bartending Academy. Therefore, I would like to re-open my complaint and find out what other recourse(s) I have against this company. Thank you. Ms. [redacted]

Business

Response:

I thought this had been taken care of but I will check on it. [redacted]

Review: This company stated in the initial appointment and throughout my experience, that after the two week course was completed, the company would assist in employment search. The company did not response to any of my emails or voice mails when I contacted them looking for job leads. I was very unsatisfied with there services. The company only contacted me a week or so after I created a google review online. They informed me that I had not been contacted me for over a month and a half for employment leads due to, "email virus". This excuse was told to a friend of mines a month earlier, and I tried contacting the school via phone as well. After I posted my google review of my experience of the company it was suddenly erased offline. I want my money back because this was a horrific experience for me, being lied to about an employment service that was not offered to me or any other student.

Business

Response:

[redacted] completed the bartending class with a balance due,Yes she still owes the Bartending Academy money! our contract states all balances are due before the first day of class.

We tried to work with her as far as payments go but she did not make her final payment and now she wants money back.

Review: The advertised class, in which I paid for, was not at all what was promised. The class has not been updated in years, making it completely irrelevant and out dated in today's bar scene. I have an instructor(s) who worked there to back up this and other claims. There is no guaranteed job placement as offered, which is a main reason I purchased in the first place. There was no printer ink to give any of us certificates. One instructor quit after the first week, a second instructor, who hit on me and made me feel uncomfortable, was fired after one day, and the next 2 instructors quit after 3 days, even quitting in the middle of my last class. My last class of which I was supposed to take a test that I was completely unprepared for due to the unprofessional, unorganized, and utter disappointing way the classes were conducted, including the quitting and firing of 4 different instructor within the 2 week period of my class. The first week, the instructor complained about her personal issues and how she wasn't getting paid, while sloppily making drinks with out dated and rotten/expired materials. The second week, I was hit on and made to feel uncomfortable the first day. The lesson planned was entirely changed and I was told there would be no test and that I could have an extra week for free. And on the last day was told we could take the test, but there was no printer ink to award certificates, and that it didn't matter anyway because the instructor was quitting and the class was a scam (this came directly from the instructors mouth). Overall, the place was dirty, the lesson plan was admittedly out dated, there weren't even supplies to make certain drinks, the water and dye in the bottles was rotten, I wasn't given a test. Or any certificate, the lessons did not teach or honor the majority of what was promised over the phone with mr. Chase as well in the contract.Desired Settlement: Refund of the full $250 either in cash, certified check, or credited back to the credit card that it was charged from.

Business

Response:

We did have a staffing situation that was fixed within a couple of days. I called to see if the student was hit on by the instructor and she told me no. I also tried to get her back to finish the class with our main instructor who has been with us over 8 months who gets great reviews.

While I feel bad about a scheduling issue this student had a difficult time making it to class on more than one occasion anyway.I told her and her friend we would consider a partial refund but they did benefit from the training and are welcome to finish the class and use the job placement service and get certified upon completion of test.I may be contacted at [redacted] Chase

Review: I signed up for bartending classes May 19, 2014. I canceled my contract for classes May 19th, 2014 via a hand delivered letter as well as a voice message. I also mailed THREE letters the next day. Two through regular mail and one certified. I received a voice message from Tim indicating he got the letters and that he would forward my refund on and ask them to put a rush on it. The contract did say it could take up to 40 business days. About a 2-3 weeks ago I sent a follow up letter informing them that I had not received my refund yet. I informed them in the letter I would be filing a formal complaint w the Revdex.com if my refund was not received on the 40th business day which is today 7/16/2014. I spoke with someone on Monday 7/14 who claimed to be the director and he stated that he would "pull my file" and call me on Tuesday 7/15 so I could give him the credit card information I used so he could issue me my refund. He never called and I am still waiting on my full refund of $345.00. They are outside of their contract now because they indicate the refund could take UP TO 40 business days. When I initially canceled I had received multiple calls I am sure to try and get me not to cancel. I didn’t want to be harassed about it so I didn’t answer. Tim called on 5/20/14 at 2:40pm and left a voice message acknowledging the cancelation and said a "rush" would be put on it but I am sitting her still without a refund. And this supposed director did not follow up with me as he indicated he would for my refund.Desired Settlement: I would like my full refund.

Business

Response:

Hey it's [redacted] at the bartending Academy sorry for the slow response I am looking into the complaint and will respond within the next day or two I'm out of town up in the mountains with poor internet service

Business

Response:

I am working on the refund for this student and have been in contact with her.[redacted]

This was a horrible experience. I have never met people so unprofessional. I graduated the bartending academy June 17th it is now August 4th and STILL do NOT have my bartending certificate. When I graduated I was told the printer was down and will be fixed by the weekend. That never happened. I have personally went in and talk to the woman in charge of printing out the certificate twice and have been calling in every week and as always she says I will have it for you by the weekend which was a lie. I have also been texting the owner which is chase and he told me it would be mailed out to me, it's been 2 weeks and I still don't have it. If I knew I was going to be this stressed out and waiting this long for my certificate I would of never took this class. The job placement is a JOKE. The job placement lady just sits on her rear all day, does nothing and says "call in every Tuesdays and Thursday from 1 to 4 and we will tell you if we hear from any jobs that are now hiring." Your better off going out and looking on your own. Don't believe what they tell you. Most bars want someone who has atleast a year of experience and demand a bartending license. Horrible experience.!!!!!!!

Review: I signed up to do the classes then later changed my mind in enough time to get a full refund. The contract said is would take up to 40 days and it has been about two months. I have two bank accounts and I paid for myself with one account and my friend with the other. we both changed our minds so I am expecting refunds in both of my accounts. The manager claims there is a problem now because I had two cards he didn't know where to refund my money to. he told me this after I had called twice and he assured me that my money was coming. He also claims that he didn't have my phone number to call me about the issue with my credit cards.Desired Settlement: I want both of my refunds back in full ASAP

Business

Response:

Her two refunds

of $445 and $445 have been paid also and that should bring us up to date,

Thanks

Review: When I first became interested in taking a bartending class, I scouted a lot of different bar classes around Milwaukee. I would leave my email and phone number and hope for more information on what the different classes offered. The Bartending Academy took this opportunity to falsely advertise that their classes were $745 and that I qualified for the actual price of $345. No one pays more than $345 for the classes. I was lied to by the head of the company, Chase. He constantly called me every day and even started texting me multiple times. I felt pressured into taking the class and eventually set up a payment plan where I pay $200 upfront and then $145 on the last day of class. Chase lied to me about the cost and pressured me into taking the class at a "discount." To me, this is false adverstising. For the second day of class, the instructor never showed up. I waited, along with two other students for 45 minutes and no instructor and no chase ever showed up. I paid for a service and did not receive it. I would like a 90% refund, (as is stated in the class contract which I will gladly submit to you if needed) without having to finish paying the $145 because I never reached the last day of class.Desired Settlement: I would like The Bartending Academy to refund me $180 dollars as I attended one class and as the contract states after taking one class and then withdrawing, I am due a 90% refund. I will not pay the rest of the $145 dollars as I never made it to the last class because the instructors never showed up.

Business

Response:

We have a 100 application fee plus 8 classes pro rated at 245.00 = 30.60 per lesson. The instructor had car problems on Sunday but everyone else was able to reschedule.I told this student we would make every effort to take care of her,she attended 2 of 8 lessons If she does not want to finish that is her prerogative the refund will be 38.75 .She is welcome to come finish the class as to not waste money .The app fee is on contract just above signature also weekend classes are 2 lessons not one. Thank you Joe Refunds are processed within 40 days of drop per contract.