who to complain to?

macca1979

Hi

I'm wondering who I can complain to about a local college and their financial ethics?
Bournville college in Birmingham list a myriad of courses on their website which you assume they run and you can enrol on any of them at the click of a button. What they don't tell you is, the course will only run if there are adequate numbers (ok, fair enough) and that once you pay out 'in full' the course fees, they are in no rush to reimburse you,
I paid for a course £155 on my credit card 2 days before the course was due to start, was then told later that the course was not going to run and I was 'entitled' to a full refund, weird language to use since I didn't actually receive anything for my money! Anyway it's now 2 weeks passed and I still haven't received my money back, and we all know credit cards run interest on a daily basis, so this course is actually costing me more than it was originally set at, and still nothing to show for it, it seems beyond comprehension that everyone should have to pay out the full cost before ever really knowing if the course will run! Why don't they take a small deposit that won't rack up interest and easily covered by the ' hopeful ' mature student wanting to better themselves! I really think this kind of practice should be assessed . Anyone agree? But first and foremost, if anyone can offer some advice on who to complain to, that'd be great

Grimbal

macca1979 wrote: »

and we all know credit cards run interest on a daily basis, so this course is actually costing me more than it was originally set at,

on unpaid balances, yes, but not on a transaction that has yet to be billed to you, and is still within the payment date period.

Doesn't stop it being slack that the college hasn't refunded you yet, but you may still have a few weeks before you get your statement ?

Macca83_2

I've signed up and paid for a few college classes that were dependent on numbers. I've been lucky that they've always had enough interest to run the classes. But it would appear that this is a common practise?

wealdroam

macca1979 wrote: »

But first and foremost, if anyone can offer some advice on who to complain to, that'd be great

First... the college.

What was their response to your query?

macca1979

Thanks for all the replies, firstly, I assumed I'd be charged interest as the money was taken and has been out of the account for nearly 3 weeks? I'm not sure if it's common practice, but I believe it should be changed as it takes a couple of seconds for them to take the money but apparently weeks to put it back! I spoke with the accounts dept this morning, they have no record of it, I asked to speak to the manager who just so happens to be on a training course all morning, I informed them of my position and told them I wanted the money back into my account Today.......I'll let you know what occurs.

wealdroam

macca1979 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, firstly, I assumed I'd be charged interest as the money was taken and has been out of the account for nearly 3 weeks? I'm not sure if it's common practice, but I believe it should be changed as it takes a couple of seconds for them to take the money but apparently weeks to put it back! I spoke with the accounts dept this morning, they have no record of it, I asked to speak to the manager who just so happens to be on a training course all morning, I informed them of my position and told them I wanted the money back into my account Today.......I'll let you know what occurs.

As has already been explained, you will not be charged interest until some time after you have received a statement with that amount on it. Usually something around three weeks after statement, but it varies from card to card.

You say they take the money instantly, but do they really?
The banking process takes time and it is probably a few days before they get your money in their account.
In reverse, they can refund 'instantly' after having followed their internal processes, but it will be some time before the money reaches your account.

Does any activity with the college show on your online credit card statement?

Is it two weeks or three weeks? Make your mind up.

macca1979

Whoa! I merely asked about a complaints procedure, not to be interrogated! You may be knowledgeable about banking procedures but you're coming across very rude, nearly 3 weeks means not quite 3 but over 2, I thought that was quite clear really. No statement yet.

warehouse

macca1979 wrote: »

Whoa! I merely asked about a complaints procedure, not to be interrogated!

Welcome to MSE, where the downtrodden become keyboard warriors.

Please let us know if you get the money back today.

macca1979

warehouse wrote: »

Welcome to MSE, where the downtrodden become keyboard warriors.

Please let us know if you get the money back today.

Will do, many thanks

Grimbal

Just to clarify about being charged interest: if you've not received your statement yet with the transaction on it, I doubt you'll be paying interest on it. The college still need to get their act together & refund you though

Pinzy

As an aside - the money shows as having disappeared from your account instantly, but it doesn't actually get transferred immediately. I only know this though dealing with transactions that have failed - we (the company) haven't got the money, but it appears as missing from the customer's bank account, and it takes a few days for the money to show up in the customer's account again.

Many colleges only run courses if it's cost efficient - I don't know why, but it does stuff a lot of people up (particularly those on progressive qualifications).

First stop for complaints - the college, in writing (either via email or letter).
Second stop - small claims court.

Over 2 weeks is excessive for a refund.