Open study college- aat 2 level 2 accountancy course

rosiepop21

Hi Guys,

I enrolled with a independent long distance company called Open Study College. I chose to study the course AAT 2 Level 2 - Accountancy. I wanted to better myself and receive a specialist qualification.

I rang their enrollment services number and paid £783.99 on the 10th July 2014 up front via by debit card for a 1 year course.. In the beginning I had high expectations and was very exciting for studying this course. I understood the very basics of bookkeeping and ledger account however as i went further into the course I was struggling and found it difficult to understand the concepts. I wanted to preserve and try to crack it but to no avail.

I decided to ring up the student services contact number and ask for a refund as the course just wan't for me as i couldn't see myself completing the course and i didn't want to waste that amount of money. Unfortunately the customer advisory informed me that they had a cancellation policy of 14 days from enrollment. I was absolutely devastated and thanked her for her time and accepted. However I do not believe that a 14 day policy is fair for somebody to get their head around a accountancy course. It is unfair for people out their that have paid all that money out for a course they cannot complete.

A day later they contacted me by email saying they have changed my personal tutor to a more experienced one that can help with my studies. I am still struggling and find that the tutors are providing me with little support. It take them a week to 2 weeks to mark my assignments and respond to my emails.

I am at the end of my tether and would appreciate it if anybody could give me some advice on receiving a refund.

I have been looking up reviews with Open Study College and alot of people are saying it is a scam!

Very Very disappointed.


Need some advice.

Thank you.

unholyangel

Is the course "not as described" in any way?

If not i'm afraid there's not really any grounds to chase a refund. If something isnt suitable for you, thats not really their fault (as above, providing they have provided what was agreed). They can't mitigate their losses either as people would need to start the course from day 1, they can't join halfway through.

Accountancy certainly isnt for everyone. But perhaps on the bright side its better to find out now rather than several years and several thousands of pounds later.

rosiepop21

Hi

the course was accurately advertised but I feel I have been given no support with course. I understand what you are saying that is my fault as I just rushed into it without researching properly. However I find their tutors appauling.

on the enrollement letter theu never specified their refund policy on their only on their website under faq - whoch I think is rubbish.

I was hopibg I had some rights for a refund as some companies still issue refunds after the coolibg off period.

stevemLS

In order to help students with the terms and conditions of their enrolment we have tried to keep things simple and easy to understand. No jargon or small print. Our full terms and conditions can be viewed here. In our experience the main and most important part of these terms for our students is the cancellation & returns policy.

So lets explain these clearly to avoid any misunderstanding. Firstly we would request that students check the course syllabus and content immediately upon receipt. This is vitally important. Please ensure that any qualification awarded at the end of your course meets your needs. If in doubt call us on 0121 288 0181 to check before you enrol.

If for any reason you wish to cancel and return your course to us for a refund you are welcome to do so as long as you notify us within 7 days of receipt at the delivery address. Please email accounts@ukopencollege.co.uk stating your name, address, invoice number requesting to cancel. We will then respond to you with further instruction. If you have received a hard copy of your course you will be required to return this at your own cost via courier/recorded delivery before a full refund will be issued. If you have paid a deposit and signed a student agreement you will be charged a £30 cancellation fee. This will be deducted from any deposit paid.

All returns must remain unused and in resaleable condition. This complies with distance selling regulations 2000. All students are welcome to return their course to us for any reason as long as we have been notified within the 7 days as above. Unfortunately if notification to cancel is received outside of this period your request for a refund will be declined. This does not affect your statutory rights

Please call our accounts team direct on 01827 283735 if you have any questions regarding our cancellation and returns policy. It will only cost you a phone call

This is from a tab directly on the AAT Level 2 qualification page.

The emphasis is theirs not mine.

So, apart from being out of date with respect to the DSR it seems quite fair and open to me, it can hardly be said to be hidden.

The information is repeated with a link to "Cancellations/Returns" on every page, as well as being included in the FAQs.

Regrettably, OP, I don't think there is anything you can do.

rosiepop21

thank you for your responses. I think it is very harsh as I am only 21 years old and made a huge mistake and they dont have any discretion what so ever.

Coopdivi

Open Study College appear to me to be a completely legitimate British company with British directors. In addition I can find very little evidence of poor reviews and certainly none which say that they are a scam organisation.

It seems to me that Open Study College have gone out of their way to help the OP who in my opinion should have no cause for complaint.

Mr_Norrell

This is only a guess and shouldn't be taken as legal advice.


The DSR's 2000 have been subsumed by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013/3134.


The CCR's give the consumer 14 days to cancel (Reg. 30).


This right to cancel is extended up to one year (Reg. 31(2)), if the trader does not provide the consumer with the information on the right to cancel, required by paragraph (1), Schedule 2 of The Regulations.


Perhaps you can use this to help you.

bris

Mr_Norrell wrote: »

This is only a guess and shouldn't be taken as legal advice.


The DSR's 2000 have been subsumed by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013/3134.


The CCR's give the consumer 14 days to cancel (Reg. 30).


This right to cancel is extended up to one year (Reg. 31(2)), if the trader does not provide the consumer with the information on the right to cancel, required by paragraph (1), Schedule 2 of The Regulations.


Perhaps you can use this to help you.

It was a service which was clearly started, perhaps reading the CCR's yourself first would allow you to give better advice.

Mr_Norrell

bris wrote: »

It was a service which was clearly started, perhaps reading the CCR's yourself first would allow you to give better advice.

Good job it was with the qualification "not legal advice" then.

Edit: perhaps you can show me where the CCRs don't apply to a service clearly stated (which you seem to be saying), because I can't find it? Thanks.

rosiepop21

Thank you Mr Norrell you have been the only one that has given me useful advice so far. I will try and win my case with the CCR. legislation.

Coopdivi- I have actually seen many bad reviews with Open Study College regarding hidden fees with courses, lack of tutor support etc. plus it isnt very helpful for a outsider to express how great they look when you aren't a student with them. Thanks.

bris

Mr_Norrell wrote: »

Good job it was with the qualification "not legal advice" then.

Edit: perhaps you can show me where the CCRs don't apply to a service clearly stated (which you seem to be saying), because I can't find it? Thanks.

Started, clearly started, look again. The OP started the course, CCR's no longer apply look harder.