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:08/15/2024

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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 placed an order and within 20 minutes, I realized that it was the wrong honor society I ordered from. I am graduating in October and I wanted to get honor beads. I sent them an email requesting to cancel my order. I got no response so I called them the next day and it is just an answering service. I called again a week later and still no response . I emailed again and no response. I am wondering now if the honor society is a big hoax! I dont know who to speak with especially since no one can get in touch with someone theres I googled their address and it doesnt seem occupied by a office

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/11/2024

  EXTERNAL EMAIL! Use caution when clicking on links or opening attachments and never provide your User ID or Password.

   

   

  As you can see below, my team processed her refund so her request was granted.

   

  Please let me know if you need anything else.

  Thanks,

  *******************************

   

  *******************************

  Chief Executive Officer

  Golden Key International Honour Society

  ********************************************************

  *******, GA 30345

   

  From: ************************* <**************************************>
  Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 4:23 PM
  To: ******************************* <***************************************>, ************************* <************************************>
  Subject: RE: BBB Accreditation Suspension/Termination

  Hi *******,

   

  Her join date was 12/01/2022

   

  She requested a refund on Order # ****** which was granted. We were assuming order was lost.

  See details below.

  Let me know if you have any question.

   

  Thank you,

  Loris

   

   

   

  Per DHL - Shipment was delayed and eventually delivered.

   

   

  Tracking Number: 

  9261290304417703516927

  

  24

  August 2024

  03:57 PM ET

  Delivered

  From

  *******, TX 75019,

  US

  

  To

  ********, NY 11203,

  US

  Notified

  En Route

   

  Delivered

  Feedback

  Please rate your shipping experience.

  0.5 Stars1 Star1.5 Stars2 Stars2.5 Stars3 Stars3.5 Stars4 Stars4.5 Stars5 StarsEmpty

  

  Greetings : 

  Your package experienced a delay while in transit to you. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Kindly allow additional time for delivery. Thank you for your patience.

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/11/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/11/2024

  Type:Product 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've been a paid lifetime member of this society since 2002. The society promises lots of opportunities on their website. I have received none of the promised privileges of workshops, networks, scholarship opportunities, etc. I received only 3 junk mails in the early 2000s to sign up for life insurance and nothing else. I received an email recently asking me to reconnect for great similar benefits again. Since my email from 2002 is no longer valid, I contacted customer service to rejoin. I provided my old email, my maiden name, my letter of proof of membership, and my membership number. I was told my membership was still pending. I wasn't sure if the goldenkey.org was hacked since there was no other information to provide to prove my identity. I was told I'm in the system, but they cannot verify it's me even with all the info I provided and refused to recognize and honor my lifelong paid membership. It's sad because I received nothing and was scammed by this organization that sold my info to marketing third parties only.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/20/2024

  Hi *****,

  My name is ******************************* and I am the *** of Golden Key International Honour Society. I am also a GK member from 1996 from the *****************************.

   

  Today I received an email from the BBB stating a complaint with our organization.  This was the first time Ive been made aware of the issue.

   

  Who on our team did you work with?

   

  I can have our SR ******** of Operations rectify this today.

   

  Is this information correct?:

   

  Maiden Name: ************************

  University where invited to join GK: ******************

   

  It appears you also recently attended the ********************* where you must have received information to join because our system didnt recognize you.  Our chapter at the ********************* is AMAZING!

   

  I am unable to process a refund from 22 years ago but I can get your membership status current so that you can have access to your account and enjoy all of the benefits and program we offer now. 

   

  Please let me know as soon as possible.

  Thanks,

  *******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/21/2024

   
  Complaint: 21123274
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Hi *******,

   

  Thank you for reaching out to resolve the matter. Attached is a copy of email exchanges along with a picture of my original Golden Key brochure and postcard proof of lifetime membership. As you can see, I provided all my necessary information, including my membership number. However, the ** representatives thought it necessary for me to provide pictures of my graduation cord and other random requirements to gain access to my membership.

   

  I received information to join Golden Key throughout my degrees. I was faculty at UOP for 14 years and received my doctorate through them. However, my original membership according to the postcard was from my BA at ******************* under my maiden name *******. I've only received spam mail for life insurance from ** and emails to join, so I'm not aware or received any personal lifetime membership benefits I signed up for other than what is advertised.

   

  Thank you.

   

  *********************

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

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/26/2024

  Hi *****!

  This is all of the proof we need!  Ill send this to a member of our team who can assist you with merging of your records so that you have one log in, profile, etc.

   

  Weve got so many benefits to offer our members.. .There is a professional development grant *********** students and alumni can apply for) offered twice a year (among other scholarship opportunities) and weve got a huge virtual global personal development summit starting next week Be sure to check out the Golden ************ where almost ******* GK members participate in weekly webinars, grad fairs, etc.  Weve recently launched a mentoring program as well (you can be certified to be a mentor OR be mentored yourself!).  The *** site is academy.goldenkey.org  Weve got a members only Discord server where you can network I could go on and on!

   

  Additionally, here is a page dedicated to our GK alumni members who have already graduated from university *************************************************

   

   

  Once we get your login details sorted you should be able to access all of these benefits and MORE!

   

  Please let us know if you run into any issues.

  Thanks so much.

  *******

   

   

  *******************************

  Chief Executive Officer

  Golden Key International Honour Society

  ********************************************

  *******, ** 30345

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/23/2022

  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 inquired about registering for the online page. I was unable to find help. I contacted the support email. I was contacted by *********************** (Director of US Chapter Support). He stated I could not be found, and yes also stating that I never paid the $95 fee. I uploaded and replied with photos of my membership information/invite/name published in the award ceremony. (Which at the time in ****- the membership fee was not $95). I have had no further contact by this individual. I have sent 3 follow up emails. The documents also list my Membership ID number very clearly. (001-38-9407) This is either gross incompetence, or an attempt to collect additional fees for membership. Judging by the numerous complaints and suspicions regarding this organization, along with accusations of wrongdoing, this appears to be a scam.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/25/2022

  ************************* paid her one time membership fee in ****, almost 20 years ago, Golden Key has changed database systems 2 times since her information was collected. When she first enrolled we did not collect email's and when GK transitioned to their latest system her information was only added in one database and not WordPress. In order for her to have access we have had to add her to our WordPress system. She has been added and will receive new log in capabilities. The system was changed to secure data and protect our customers. The response she received was from an employee and was addressed as they were unaware of the proper channel to visit through accounting to confirm. This employee has been notified and the call center manager and accounting manager did take over the situation and expressed our apologies.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/25/2022

   
  Complaint: 17756935
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I provided adequate documentation and the Assistant Director failed to respond. They only acknowledged me after filing complaints. Their first reaction was to try and solicit additional money from me. Given the nature of accusations and complaints I have come to find out about, this membership is meaningless and a scheme. I no longer wish to be affiliated and would like to be reimbursed for the payment made in ****, that they have finally acknowledged. They asked me for receipts of payment, said it was hard to find me any other way, stated they could not locate me, but that I did not make a payment. None of that adds up.  Membership also offers no advantage. False advertising completely.  I hope their practices are investigated. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/25/2022

  ****** was actually issued access and credentials on 8/24/2022 the day we were contacted. Our Global Controller, *************************, has determined we are not offering a refund after 19 years of access to her membership. On the same day she sent an email she as added into the new database after not having an email associated with her account from 19 years ago and as of 8/24/2022 she has access and can take advantage of discounts with our partners and professional development virtually offered through the Academy as an Alumni. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/25/2022

   
  Complaint: 17756935
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I was contacted after multiple attempts to reach them failed. (Look back at all the emails I sent) They only contacted me once a complaint was issued. They only acknowledged my membership once I produced the membership card from 19 years ago. There are no benefits. It is all a farce. There are benefits listed in the website that are inaccurate. They know it. I know it. False advertising, misleading claims, and a sham organization. These people should be ashamed. Making money off of college students is sad. Investigate and audit. 
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************