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The Great Courses Reviews (16)

Surviving Covid Shutdown with Great Courses Plus
We got Great Courses Plus with a free month just before our state locked down, and we're four and a half months in now, and have watched at least a dozen classes. I wish there was an easier place, right on each course's website, to review each class. We started with The Celtic World, which was quite good. Ancient Greek was a trip; VERY difficult and we're taking a break from it because we're not up to working that hard right now. But it was well-taught. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in a real challenge: you HAVE to do homework on this one! To go with it we watched a class on the Greek World. We've watched John McWhorter's language classes before, and were pleased to find a new one on languages of the world. He's very effective and a little odd. We watched a class on the meaning of colors "How Colors Affect You" with my 13-year-old would be designer but found the science unconvincing. We watched Inventions that Changed the World avidly, although the professor's halting speech was more than a little annoying. We're watching Music and the Brain now, and enjoying it a lot. We bounced from Language and Society because we couldn't warm up to the professor's style. One of the best so far was The Secret Live of Words by Professor Anne Curzon. The most disappointing so far was Exploring the Mayan World, which turned out to be just a travelogue of the Yucatan with a professor who plays it all for laughs and just isn't serious enough for us would-be learners. In general the "tour" classes are too superficial -- I get more from reading a good travel guide. Writing and Civilization was more our style. There are still a lot of classes on Great Courses Plus that interest us, and they're adding more pretty frequently. There are plenty of courses on the full Great Courses that we'd like to watch, but GCP is a very good deal. It helps keep our brains alive when we can't have extensive talks with friends.

+3

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

Customer's refund check for items returned was re-submitted on August 5, 2014. We are currently researching the status of the check in order to get it to the customer as soon as possible, if it has not already been sent. The contact we need to speak with in regard to this specific
refund check is out until September 2. I will update the status at that point

+1

We are received notification of this complaint on 3/and are currently reviewing the situation, including all correspondence with the customer in the past

I have purchased over different courses from Great Courses over the last few yearsTheir service in shipping has been excellent and their courses informative

+5

I ordered several courses totaling over $Was not impressed with the productsReturned the products requesting via phone and mail that my return be issued in the form of a checkI called them to find out why my refund check had not arrivedTurns out they issued the refund via direct deposit to the card I used to make the purchaseHowever, that card and the bank account it is associated with are not active which is I why requested a check in the first placeThey could not provide me answers or a solution at that time and said they would call me backI did not hear from them so I called again and am currently waiting for another call

+1

I will investigate the customer's concern. Once an update/resolution is available, I will notify all parties.
Best Regards,
Ashanta S[redacted], Customer Service Manager
From: Ashanta S[redacted] <[redacted]@teachco.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 12:32...

PMSubject: Complaint ID: [redacted]To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>Greetings [redacted]C/O Revdex.com My name is Ashanta S[redacted], Customer Experience Manager with The Great Courses. I have investigated [redacted]’s complaint and fulfilled his request. [redacted] has been removed from our mailing list. Due to pre-printed/in-transit catalogs, [redacted] will receive one or two mailings at the most. This information has been confirmed with our Marketing Department.  In addition to physical mailings, I have also removed [redacted] from receiving emails, as well. A refund of $70.90 has been issued back to his credit card, as requested. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer experience to our customers and we sincerely apologize to [redacted] for the delay in honoring his request to stop all mailings. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning this matter. I can be reached at ###-###-####, M-F 8am-5pm EST. You can also reach me via email at [redacted]@teachco.com Best Regards,

+1

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

I am learning

In response to our customer’s inquiries and requests, and to follow up on the Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC...

& Eastern Pennsylvania complaint #[redacted], The Great Courses is accepting the return of all the customer’s purchases from us and is refunding the entirety of the amount of the returned items ($10,142.14) by refund check. Our Vice President of Operations has contacted the customer by phone to update the customer on the status of the refund and to apologize for his apparent dissatisfaction with our products. Please let us know if you have any questions

I attempted to contact the customer this morning (2/2) at the number provided but there was no answer. I left a voicemail for the customer apologizing for the incorrect name on the account/order and told him after the initial miscommunication, when he called back to correct the issue, the package...

had progressed to the point where we could not modify the information on the order, as it had already been packaged up and possibly even loaded onto a truck for shipment. The customer's name on the account had already been corrected so I told the customer I would refund the full amount of his order and apologized for the initial error. I also alerted our shipping department to the desired cancellation of the order but, as mentioned before, it may be to the point where the item will ship out anyway. I told the customer if that happens he is free to keep the course as a courtesy but we would still refund the customer the full amount of his order. That was completed today, February 2nd. If customer has any further inquiries into the issue, he can call me (Erik O[redacted]) personally at ###-###-####, extension [redacted].

Thank you for the information. We are looking into the matter.
Best Regards,
Ashanta S[redacted]

Review: About a week ago, between July 15-July 26, 2013, There was a full-page ad in the NY Times for the course, "Stress and Your Body" by The Teaching Company (thegreatcourses.com)I have bought at least course from them, and ordered this one online, filling in my selections as well as the "Priority Code" or whatever they call their advertised priceAs I recall that price was good until early or mid-August at least, so I did not submit the order, deciding to wait until my pension check arrived in early AugustToday I decided to complete my order anyway, and the Priority Code had been totally deleted, only showing in my cart that I would have to pay the full priceI called their "Need Help?" "Speak with an Expert" toll-free number and the man said I would have to pay full price since I did not know the Priority CodeI was speechlessHe said that he had know way to know what the discount price would beI asked: "You mean you advertised this in the NY Times at a special discount price, and now you won't sell it to me at that price?" And he said, "Sorry," and refused to give me the discounted priceI asked again for the price that THEY offered to sell it at and ADVERTISED it nationally, and he still refusedI asked if I needed to make a complaint to the Revdex.com and he refused to answer.Desired Settlement: And I would like to purchase the product at the Advertised Price
Business
Response:
We have attempted to reach out the the customer by calling directly and left a voice mail apologizing for the service he receivedAsked him to call me directly if he was still interested in placing the orderWe have noted the customer recordWe will give him free shipping on the order in addition to the sales pricing on the course as a courtesy
Please call our Voice of the Customer representative directly so she may assist you with placing your order
**[redacted]: ###-###-####
Sincerely,
Vocie of the Customer, Manager
Consumer
Response:
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's responseIf 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
In addition, the voicemail from [redacted] and her professionalism when I called her the next day was very heartwarmingI look forward to continuing to use The Teaching Company
Thank you, Revdex.com, for providing the services that you do, and the process to facilitate in resolving frustrating business experiencesYou do great work and provide a valuable service to consumers
Regards,

Review: The Teaching Company Sales, LLC advertised via both web site and US mail,offering Black Friday free shipping and sale prices discounted 70% off the regular price of any of their Great Courses over 6 lectures in length. Course number 1257 titled "Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time" has been regularly advertised over an extended period of time in mailings and in web site advertisements for the price of $69.95. I have never seen it offered at any other price, hence it is logical to conclude that the regular price of the course is $69.95. When I attempted to order the course via the web site on Black Friday (Nov. 29, 2013) I was unable to get the 70% discount. I telephoned the Teaching Company and their agent told me that the $69.95 price represented the already discounted price. I suggest that their advertised discount is deceptive and misleading thus ethical business practices demand that the advertised 70% discount off the regularly advertised price be honored. I request that The Teaching Company Sales, LLC sell Course No. 1257 to me for the price of $69.99 less 70% or $20.99 plus free shipping. Thank you for considering this matter.Desired Settlement: Sell at the suggested discount - see description

Business

Response:

We contacted **. [redacted] and he spoke with both myself and [redacted], the Director of Marketing Operations regarding the advertisement.

**. [redacted] stated the verbiage in the advertisement was confusing and although [redacted] explained our marketing offers to **. [redacted] we offered him, as a one-time courtesy, a deeper discount on the item in question based on his understanding of the offer. **. [redacted] accepted the offer and the order was placed for his course.

At this time we understand the issue to be resolved, and the verbiage in question from the advertisement is now under review in our marketing department to prevent any confusion in the future.

Best Regards,

Manager, Voice of the Customer

Consumer

Response:

Although the business personnel were not easily convinced, they were very polite and courteous in all our discussions. They finally agreed when, during our discussions, the business posted another web advertisement whose different wording further supported my position. I commend the business for their promise to diligently review and revise their advertisements to make them accurately reflect intent and thus eliminate any future misunderstandings.

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 thank the Revdex.com for assisting me in this important effort.

Regards,

Review: I sent a package back per their instructions. They received the package. They approved the refund on 07/02/2014. I phoned several times and they told me the check was in the mail. They sent an email saying the same. I have not received the check. I cannot contact them by phone. I have tried to5-6 times and have waited up to 25 minutes without them answering my call. 1. They have lied to a great customer. 2. They are holding my possessions without regard to their refund policy. 3. I cannot contact them.Desired Settlement: They phone me to let me know what is going on and why a good customer cannot contact them and they send the check they said was available to me on 07/02/2014 immediately.

Business

Response:

Customer's refund check for items returned was re-submitted on August 5, 2014. We are currently researching the status of the check in order to get it to the customer as soon as possible, if it has not already been sent. The contact we need to speak with in regard to this specific refund check is out until September 2. I will update the status at that point.

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.

Regards,

Review: Continue to receive unsolicited mailings (course catalog) despite informing company to cease and desist. I no longer want their catalog and have gotten for last year or more, it is bogging down my mailbox and I have no use for the products offered. I have returned catalog as undeliverable, I called customer service number [redacted]), just a couple of weeks ago and was ensured my name was removed from their mailing list. Just today (03/21) I received a new catalog in the mail, 'special sale issue w/75% off offer,' and notice printed on catalog stating, "[redacted], we want you back! We have an offer especially for you! Order now and take an additional 20% off all courses in this catalog! Available by mail, phone or web coupon code..." Bottom line, I do not want their catalog or another piece of mail form them EVER! [redacted]Desired Settlement: Stop sending me unsolicited mailings and ensure I am removed from ALL mailings lists as requested.

Business

Response:

We apologize for the delay in response to [redacted]'s complaint.

I have done thorough research to verify that [redacted]'s will not receive any more mailings from The Great Courses from this point on.

Per [redacted]'s request, on the date of his call on 3/11/12, he became non-emailable and non-mailable. However, customers can receive preprinted mailings up to 4 weeks after they request to be removed from our mailing lists because tcatalogs are already in the process of printing and processing and unfortunately it is practically impossible for us to stop the entire process to pull one name from several hundred thousand catalogs. We apologize if this fact was not clearly communicated, and this is why [redacted] was sent a catalog on 3/22/13.

We did not be mailing/emailing again. Thank you for your patience in the matter.

Regards,

[redacted],

Quality Assurance Specialist & Voice of the Customer Manager

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.

Regards,

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Description: Product Sales - General, Educational Materials - Home Schooling, Adult & Continuing Education

Address: 1001 Highway T, Topeka, Kansas, United States, 65613-8112

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