Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Varsity Tutors LLC's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Varsity Tutors LLC

  8001 Forsyth Blvd Ste 1050 Clayton, MO 63105

  
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  Varsity Tutors LLC

  4525 Oak St Kansas City, MO 64111-1818

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:06/09/2025

  Type:Order 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.

  Varsity Tutors is an online tutoring platform, and I'm one of the tutors. For every session we do, the student pays in 15 minute increments. Up until October 19th, 2024, us tutors also got paid in 15 minute increments, so we got paid for every minute the student paid for. But ever since that day, for instant tutoring sessions, it changed, and now we just get paid by the minute. So if the session goes 32 minutes, the student pays for 45 minutes, but we only get paid for 32 minutes. The student already pays at a rate of ***** dollars per hour while us tutors only get paid at a rate of 18 dollars per hour, so in this example, the student would pay between $52.50 and $71.25, and we would only get $9.60. There are also times where the student leaves after 1 or 2 minutes. If they leave after 1 minute, they pay between $17.50 and $23.75, and we get 30 cents. There's nothing illegal about this, but I believe it is unethical and unfair. I've calculated the difference between how much I would have made if we had gotten paid in 15 minute increments and how much I did get paid, and it comes to $1309.74.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by ******* ***********. It is necessary to note that Mr. *********** is not a customer of *********************** platform; rather, he is an independent contractor who utilizes Varsitys platform to advertise his services to potential customers/students. As such, ********************** believes the Complaint should be removed because: a) it was not filed by a consumer; b) Mr. *********** has not purchased anything from Varsity, and c) it relates to his personal dispute with Varsity regarding his contractual status. Finally, Varsity has communicated directly with Mr. *********** regarding his concerns outlined in the Complaint. In light of all of the above, Varsity respectfully requests that the Complaint be removed.
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/20/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the business' response regarding complaint ID ******** and am satisfied with this resolution. 
   
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ***********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/09/2025

  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.

  In April 2025, I enrolled my college age daughter in Organic Chemistry tutoring with Varsity Tutors following a consultation phone call with a Varsity *** on April 3rd. During this call, I requested tutoring for five weeks from early April to early May. I asked for 8 hours of tutoring up front. I was charged $639 for the 8 hours. I asked the ***. what I needed to do if I needed additional hours beyond the initial 8 hours; she told me that I would be able to just pay for the additional hours on an a la carte basis. I was told specifically that beyond the initial 8 hours that I could buy more hours at $79 per hour. At no point was I told that it would be a recurring subscription of 8 hours each month that expires after 30 days. I had also told the sales ***. that my daughter was graduating college in mid-May so there was no need for a recurring subscription. To my surprise, after my daughter completed her tutoring in early May, I was charged two additional times for 8 hours each time for a total of 16 hours. This is not at all what I had requested. The sales ***. stated several times during the April call that I would be able to buy whatever additional hours I needed once I used up the 8 hours that I pre-paid. In the end, my daughter used 9 hours from April 9th to May 6th (6 total sessions hours each). I did not realize that I was placed into a recurring contract until early June (charged $639 for 8 hours on both May 4th and June 4th). When you are ***eatedly told on the phone something different than what they end up doing, I believe that they are purposely deceiving their customers. I called ********************** on June 9th and requested a refund of the additional billed hours and a cancellation of the subscription. The Varsity ***. told me that they could not refund any of the hours even though they knew that I never requested them. They cancelled my subscription on June 9th. I am seeking a refund of the 15 unused hours ($1200) that were billed on my credit card.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by Mr. ******* Varsity contacted Mr. ****** upon its receipt of the Complaint and ultimately chose to provide a resolution that was satisfactory to him. Accordingly, it is Varsitys understanding that the matter has been resolved amicably. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us. 
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/09/2025

  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 contracted with Varsity Tutors for 4 online sessions with an expert on starting a blog. This was on 2/28/2025. I had my 4 sessions and was charged $349.00. I thought that was the end of my involvement but has since discovered that I have been charged $349.00 on 3/28/2025, 4/28/2025 and 5/28/2025. I called them and they have cancelled my subscription but they will not refund the charges for these additional 3 payments. They claim that I signed up for an ongoing subscription, but that was not my understanding

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by **** ****. Although Varsitys attempts to make contact with Mr. **** in response to the Complaint have gone unanswered, Varsity has effectuated what it believes to be an amicable resolution, and remains willing to discuss the Complaint with Mr. **** should he wish to do so. Mr. **** may contact Varsity's customer experience manager at the phone number that was provided to him in the email dated June 10, 2025, to further discuss his concerns. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us. 
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/04/2025

  Type:Product 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.

  Im writing to formally request a refund for the hours spent with the first three tutors assigned to me. I turned to Varsity Tutors during an incredibly difficult timebalancing full-time work, studying for the bar, and supporting my father after his stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. I hoped for professional, reliable support. What I received instead was, in many cases, negligent or even harmful.Tutor 1 cut a scheduled two-hour session short because he forgot and had friends coming overdespite knowing I had planned it while visiting my dying father. He also repeated content from the prior session and failed to deliver a promised study plan on time.Tutor 2 had a troubling professional history, including multiple license suspensions and ethical violations. He gave incorrect legal information, relied on AI responses as legal doctrine, and, after I left a fair review, sent me a cruel email mocking my prior bar exam failures and personal situation.Tutor 3 was kind but admitted she wasnt qualified to teach bar material. She said her approach was more therapeutic than academic and recommended I work with someone from another company. I ended the session after 45 minutes.Tutor 4, whom I am currently working with, has been excellent. Her professionalism highlights just how unfit the first three tutors were.Given the lost time, added stress, and clear lack of adequate support, I respectfully request a refund for the hours spent with Tutors 1, 2, and 3. I need those hours credited back to continue working with my current tutor and move forward with better support.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/09/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by ****** *******. Varsity contacted Mr. ******* upon its receipt of the Complaint and ultimately chose to provide a resolution that was satisfactory to him. Accordingly, it is Varsitys understanding that the matter has been resolved amicably. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/09/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the business' response regarding complaint ID ******** and am satisfied with this resolution. 
   
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/29/2025

  Type:Product 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 signed my daughter up with Varsity Tutors to help her with Anatomy and Physiology. The tutors were okay, but she passed the classes, so all was good. I wanted to cancel the membership as she had finished all of her classes for the semester. I "chatted" with someone on the website and then ended up calling. They didn't want me to cancel, but instead pause the membership. I explained that she was done for the summer, but they insisted on pausing, and I agreed, as she might need more help when her nursing program begins in the fall. I was not charged for one month, then, all of a sudden, I am charged again. I called and was told the pause was for one month, and they cannot refund my money. She keeps trying to talk me into using the 8 hours, even though my child is not enrolled in any classes at the moment! This is ludicrous! I want a refund on this moth that will not get used! And now, if she needs help in the fall, I will look elsewhere just based on how difficult they made this entire situation! A manager is supposed to call me back sometime next week....it's funny how I have to wait so long for a manger but when we were first signing up, it took them less than 5 minutes to call!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/02/2025

  Varsity Tutors has issued a refund and this can be closed out. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/05/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by ***** ****. Although Varsitys attempts to make contact with Ms. **** in response to the Complaint have gone unanswered, Varsity has effectuated what it believes to be an amicable resolution, and remains willing to discuss the Complaint with Ms. **** should she wish to do so. Ms. **** may contact Varsity's customer experience manager at the phone number that was provided to her in the email dated June 2, 2025, to further discuss her concerns. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/28/2025

  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.

  Dear BBB,Attached is an email that I wrote to the company with the details my complaint, monies paid, and dates of service.I would greatly appreciate being informed of any communication that you have with Varsity Tutors on my behalf. Please let me know if you have any questions. Respectfully,******** **********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/03/2025

  Varsity acknowledges receipt of the complaint filed by ******** *********** The **************** Experience Manager has attempted to contact Ms. ********** regarding the complaint, but these attempts have gone unanswered. In order to work toward an amicable resolution, Varsity requires additional information from Ms. ************************************* remains willing to discuss the concerns raised in the complaint at a time convenient for Ms. *********** To proceed, Ms. ******************* contact Varsitys **************** Experience Manager at the phone number provided in the email dated May 31, 2025.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/23/2025

  Type:Billing 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 was charged $349 dollars for future services and when I discovered it on my credit card 2 days later I phoned them and they refused to issue me a refund.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/30/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by ******** *******. Although Varsitys attempts to make contact with Ms. ******* in response to the Complaint have gone unanswered, Varsity has effectuated what it believes to be an amicable resolution, and remains willing to discuss the Complaint with Ms. ******* should she wish to do so. Ms. **************** contact Varsity's customer experience manager at the phone number that was provided to her in the email dated May 27, 2025, to further discuss her concerns. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/21/2025

  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 was registered for recurring monthly charges with an LSAT *****, ******, from September 9 to October 11, 2024. After realizing the service wasn't in my budget, I spoke with ****** on our last session on October 11, 2024 and asked to cancel, to which he agreed. No other necessary action was mentioned, and I never used any tutoring services afterward. Since then, Varsity Tutors has continued to charge me $356 a month, totaling $2,492 as of June 2025. I was never notified of these charges and have submitted multiple requests for a refund in the months after my last session. I even called their customer service representative, ****, on May 5, 2025 to dispute the charges and restate my cancellation, who assured me the refund and cancellation would be processed. When I called again later that month, I was told the refund would not be granted. After disputing again and receiving no response, I checked my account and saw that they intend to charge me $356 again on June 5, 2025. I am requesting 1. a full refund of the unused and unauthorized charges which will total $2,492 as of June 5, 2025, 2. immediate cancellation of any subscription or billing tied to my account, and 3. written confirmation that no future charges will occur. If not resolved, I am prepared to dispute the charges with the credit card company and file a customer fraud report with the ************************. Thank you.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by **** ******. Although Varsitys attempt to make contact with Ms. ****** in response to the Complaint has gone unanswered, Varsity has effectuated what it believes to be an amicable resolution, and remains willing to discuss the Complaint with Ms. ****************** she wish to do so. Ms. *************** contact Varsity's customer experience manager at the phone number that was provided to her in the email dated May 21, 2025, to further discuss her concerns. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/15/2025

  Type:Product 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.

  In January 2025, I enrolled in LSAT tutoring with Varsity Tutors following a sales consultation call that included both myself and my father. During this call, we were explicitly told that the plan would last two months, with 8 hours of tutoring per monthsplit into weekly 2-hour sessionsat a cost of $632 per month. We were also informed that any tutoring beyond the initial 16 hours would be available on an a la carte basis at $79 per session. At no point were we told this was a recurring subscription requiring cancellation.Relying on that information, we agreed to the two-month plan. I completed the expected 16 hours during January and February. However, we were subsequently charged $632 in both March and *****totaling $1,264 in unexpected charges. Upon discovering this in *****, we contacted customer service immediately. The ***** charge was refunded, but the March charge was not.Varsity Tutors claimed the March charge was valid because I had used 2 hours from that month. In reality, those 2 hours were scheduled in February and only moved due to a documented illness. The session was agreed upon as part of the original 16 hours. I was never informed that rescheduling due to illness would initiate a new billing cycle, nor was I told that tutoring hours expired or that I was in a recurring plan at all.Despite multiple discussions with customer service and management, ********************** refused to refund the March charge. I also requested access to the audio recording of the original sales call to clarify what was promised; this was denied on the grounds of internal policy, even though it was used to justify their decision.I am seeking a refund of the $632 charged in March for services I did not knowingly authorize. This appears to be a case of misleading sales practices and an undisclosed automatic billing policy, amounting to a bait-and-switch.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by ******** ************. Varsity contacted Mr. ********************** its receipt of the Complaint and ultimately chose to provide a resolution that was satisfactory to him. Accordingly, it is Varsitys understanding that the matter has been resolved amicably. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/22/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the business' response regarding complaint ID ******** and am satisfied with this resolution. 
   
  Sincerely,
  
  ******** ************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/10/2025

  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.

  Varsity tutors refused to refund for upcoming unused tutoring sessions after I cancelled my account. I was told that my account would be cancelled and I was still charged for another month of tutoring sessions that I did not use.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/16/2025

  Varsity is in receipt of the Complaint filed by **** ******. Although Varsitys attempts to make contact with **** in response to the Complaint have gone unanswered, Varsity has effectuated what it believes to be an amicable resolution, and remains willing to discuss the Complaint with them should they wish to do so. **** ****** may contact Varsity's customer experience manager at the phone number that was provided to them in the email dated May 12, 2025, to further discuss their concerns. Varsity is proud to be an affiliate of the BBB and values the relationship. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to further discuss, please feel welcome to contact us.