During the summer, my fiance and I attended a PSI Basic seminar in Richmond. We both enjoyed the seminar, but at the end we where told that it was important to attend interviews after the seminar was over. These interviews turned out to be a sales pitch for more seminars, requiring me to sit toe to toe with a company representative, where I sat through some of the most high pressure sales I had ever experienced.
When he wouldn't take no for an answer, I got up and started for the door. At the back of the room was a whiteboard where you would put your name to whatever course you where signing up for, and between that and the door, was a gauntlet of more senior company representatives, who upon not seeing you sign your name, would know that the additional courses where declined. I was intercepted by two of them.
What I said was basically Out of my way as I headed for the door. My fiance was not so lucky. She was reduced to tears, which only increased the pressure, and gave in, signing up for a couple of courses.
Subsequent attempts to cancel resulted in one course being postponed. I became involved and over the last two weeks have attempted to get a refund from the company, but seem to keep getting referred to someone else who was out of town.
Today, after several phone calls to their head office in Surrey, I spoke to a manager, who after telling me that the person I need to talk to would be out of town for a week, told me their refund policy is they don't give refunds. He said that policy was written on the back of the contract my fiance signed.
At no time was she made aware there was no refund, and in fact, we where both told by company representatives before we took any courses that all courses had money back guarantees. My fiance is now out over $5000.00 If one where to sign up for all the courses, I believe that would put you around $15, 000. We have since filed a complaint with the BBB.
If I can give anyone any advice is to get up and walk out of the interviews, or even better, not go at all. I have personally met unemployed people who have borrowed thousands to take these seminars. One person I know was convinced to take out a $30, 000.00 demand loan without telling his wife! These people are more interested in separating you from your money that helping anyone.
Jim
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada
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