Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/16/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased 2 subscriptions one for TCM foundations and another for Herbology (invoice attached). Now TCM Review denied my access to Herbology subscription. In other words, I purchased a subscription with real money but they denied outright the access to what I paid for. They said my subscription has been expired. Well, it was not clear to me when I first purchased the subscription. I actually paid for 3 subscriptions, one for tcm foundation, one for Biomedicine and the other herbology. You have to understand that these subscriptions are contingent upon how well we do in the exams. If we failed, like I did with Biomedicine, they allow for extensions. However, this is not the case with my last subscription which is herbology. We are students and we couldnt afford to keep paying for these subscriptions. Actually, before this happened, ********************* has already denied my access to their small group discussion citing that I had too many questions asked, which they believe is a reflection that I didnt believe in their system. I believe this subscription access denial is retribution to that.In any case, this put me in a terrible situation, because I was expecting to study with tcm review and the subscription will help me a lot to pass the exam. I will take a blow from this and delay my NCCAOM TCM exam that I cant afford. Please help!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2024

  We are very clear with our policy. We have the policy on our website under frequently asked questions. We also notify our students of our 365 day hold policy when they request their courses to be placed on hold. We notified ***** of this policy on two separate occasions. Once on December 13, 2022 when he asked us to place his Biomedicine course on hold as shown in the first attachment and then again February 24, 2023 when he asked to place his Foundations and Herbology courses on hold while waiting for his course material, also attached above. I couldn't submit the email corrispondence due to the limit to 5 files but if you would like them I can send them over. Let me know.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/28/2024

   
  Complaint: 21721074
  
  I am rejecting this response because: As you see, TCM Review business practice is unacceptable. Students paid for the review course and they are basically reject my access based on their unusual business practice of denying the service I paid for. Most of the educators or people running a business for students would not reject such request. Not only did they deny my paid service, they also denied my participation in their small group class in another module/subscription. As I mentioned, having to deal with this in the middle of my exam is cruel and bad behavior from an education/educator stand point. BBB should look give them a "F" rating.

  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2024

  We appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised by Mr. ******************* regarding his experience with TCM Review Seminars.

  
  At TCM Review Seminars, we offer course memberships rather than individual courses. These memberships can be purchased for durations of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years, during which time students have access to all our online materials. Our business model is standard for online education providers, and we ensure full transparency about our policies on our website (www.tcmreview.com), the *** page (************************************************), and the cost and registration page (********************************************************************). Students can place their membership on hold for up to 365 days from the date of purchase after which they expire and are also able to extend or upgrade their memberships before they expire.

  
  Our live classes require students to enter their first and last names as registered during sign-up. This information is clearly stated on the Live Classroom page and in reminder emails sent prior to each class. We have never denied access to any student with an active membership who followed this protocol. ************ has previously attended classes and put courses on hold, indicating his familiarity with these policies. I have never knowingly denied him access. We are in the business of helping students pass their exams. There is no reason for me to deliberately single out ************ or to deny him access to a feature that is part of his membership. 

  
  Regarding **************** specific case: While we strive to accommodate all our students, we cannot condone abusive or aggressive behavior. ************ was repeatedly warned that such conduct would not be tolerated. Despite our efforts to resolve the situation amicably, his communication remained aggressive, leaving us no choice but to uphold our policies.

  
  We are committed to supporting all our students and are open to resolving any misunderstandings within the framework of our established policies.

  
  Sincerely,
  *********************
  TCM Review Seminars
  **********************************

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21721074
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  1. I bought 2 modules from Tcm Review and they failed to clearly state that the expiration is run consecutive on both modules, which is very unusual because NO student will be able to study and finish each module at the same time. 

  2. I've attached the email sent by tcm review and my response. Tcm review was trying to shut me up by threatening me. I did not say a word of abusiveness or anywhere close to it. I simply stated the fact. They are indeed robbing us, students, by denying what we paid for. We, students, have little to no money and yet they tried to take away our rights after we paid for their subscription. This is not a usual business practice and definitely heartless in handling this matter. 

  Tcm review should be failed in their rating if they continue this sort of business practice. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

  Business Response

  Date: 05/31/2024

  Hello BBB,

  We often have students purchase multiple course memberships. ***** is correct. About 75% of the students who purchase multiple course memberships can not study for more than one exam at a time. This is why on every single course membership product page on our website (********************************************************************) we have the following information: 

  "Your course starts automatically after purchase and registration. You can request your course be placed on hold until your course material arrives. Extensions are available if you need more time. Your course must be completed within one year from the day of purchase."

  And on our FAQs page (************************************************):

  TCM Review Seminars courses can be put on hold at any time. The course can be paused once and resumed once. Its required that you pause your course for a minimum of one week. Pauses for less time are not allowed. In order to suspend or resume a course, notify us no more than 24 hours in advance. If you submit a request after 3 pm Pacific time on Friday, it will be handled the next business day. It is important to note that all course holds expire one year from the date of the original course purchase. You may not reactivate the course after this date. Please refer to your course receipt to determine this date. Contact us at *********************************** to pause or activate your course.

  We can not predict which students would like to have courses on hold or to keep all their courses activated. This is why we provide students with the information they need to be able to determine the best way to use their purchases.  

  ***** emailed us prior to purchasing the two course memberships from us asking if he could purchase two courses and keep one on hold while he used one. We responded to him with our hold policy (2 images of the communication attached.) and answers to other questions he had PRIOR to his purchasing from us. 

  TCM Review is not in the business of robbing students. We have been in business since 2008. We have helped thousands of students through their board exams. We do our best to work with our students allowing for holds, free retakes for those who qualify, extensions, scholarships and support as they prepare for their exams. 

  Regarding **************** specific case: While we strive to accommodate all our students, we cannot condone abusive or aggressive behavior. ************ was repeatedly warned that such conduct would not be tolerated. Despite our efforts to resolve the situation amicably, his communication remained aggressive, leaving us no choice but to uphold our policies.

   We are committed to supporting all our students and are open to resolving any misunderstandings within the framework of our established policies.

  Sincerely,
  *********************
  TCM Review Seminars
  **********************************

   

   

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/31/2024

   
  Complaint: 21721074
  
  I am rejecting this response because: While Bina, tcm review, admitted that they can put the course on hold, and even provide extension, but she is not extending such courtesy for me, why? While it doesn't cost them anything, they rejected of such extension, why?  So, I think now it becomes clear that this may have become personal. This is the same reason that among all students, **** would single me out and block my assess to her small group class, and now to tcm review entirely.

  I don't know if Bina owns tcm review or now, but apparently, she has the power to block me out for a personal reason. I'm just trying to pass my exam and someone who runs a student education service wants to do this to harm another fellow *** practitioner, I'm blown out of words to say about **** and Tcm review.

  This will not go unheard to the *** community, you can do this to me, you can do it to anyone you don't like...this is pure discrimination. if you dont like someone, you simply dont accept them in the first place, but once you accepted students' money, you need to provide the product/service they paid for. This is not some health club membership, this is someone's trying to get certified and make an honest living.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************