Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/16/2024

  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.

  This school is stealing money and not providing any cosmetology basics, materials, or adequate state practices to students. My daughter was the only student enrolled to a cosmetology course at THE DOOBY SHOP SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY which began 4/9/24 and was withdrawn 4/12/24 due to lack of structure and school practices, yet the school is refusing to refund our $1500 fee. She was placed in a natural hair care class with 3 other students but given credit towards a cosmetology program. Students were not provided with course materials or cosmetology kits as outlined and were told those items would be given in roughly two weeks. My student was given a workbook that was ordered from AMAZON on 4/11 the same day she withdrew. They are requiring students to purchase cleaning supplies, gloves, uniforms (black scrubs required), additional mannequin heads, *****, braiding hair, extensions for wig making class, teaching supplies (pens/pencils/flash cards etc), and food for staff (colors parties). Students were also asked to purchase poster board, flash cards, glitter etc for a project that was due the next day but was given no study materials. With the tuition being set at $22, 620 (same as *****/ ************************* and other well-known schools) you can see why this would be alarming. They have no admissions department, are not FAFSA or VA certified yet they are promising students a state board cosmetology certification. The facility is unsanitary and a biohazard violation (students were drinking coffee from a pot with mold floating in it). The policy is to refund students who withdraw within 3days their full tuition, yet this school has no department who is competent enough to manage this. My student allegedly completed 29.9 when she in fact only completed 24 hrs. However, refund was calculated on tuition cost $22,620 instead of on tuition paid $1500. Miscalculating the 20% fee owed to the school as $4,524 instead of $300. THIS IS A COMPLETE SCAM AND THEFT OF FUNDS

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2024

  We are deeply saddened by the false allegations made in this complaint. The Dooby Shop School of Cosmetology provides scholarships & supplies to several students and we have been an active community leader for over 20 years at  these same locations. With NO BBB complaints EVER.

  In regard to us stealing, attached is a copy of the enrollment agreement that includes tuition & fees for our Cosmetology Program. It also includes our withdrawal and refund policy and process. The entire handbook is gone over with **************** & students the day of orientation page by page. The student was also sent an email video of the orientation before enrolling. The student signed the agreement at orientation and included the refund - notice of cancellation policy. This was provided to ***************** via the same email in which she received the refund calculation sheet that was attached in her complaint.

  Secondly, the student is upset because after enrolling she asked if we provided VA funding and was told no several times by the owner. Nowhere in our policy do we state we provide VA funding. Students signed all school policies, handbook, and tuition contract with kit information. 

  No students have ever paid for staff lunch or meals. The owner on several occasions has paid for student & staff meals. 

  Thirdly, school uniforms and school supplies (i.e pen, paper, etc.) needed for homework are the responsibility of the student. We always advise students to use what we have at school or what they have at home and not to spend money on supplies. The school provides students with poster boards or copy paper for projects due  the second day of school. If students choose to purchase materials we can not stop them. 

  It is always our hope that each student we serve has an excellent experience at our school. It is unfortunate this was not the case. We wish her well in her future as a beauty professional.
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because: a refund sheet has been attached with clear and concise numbers, however the school is trying to use a bait and switch tactic. How can a REFUND be calculated off of a tuition fee and not off an amount paid? 20% of $1500 PAID is $300 owed to the school. There is no possible way anyone who is certified to handle student funds could calculate a refund based on a tuition amount. Trying to calculate a REFUND on the tuition amount makes it appear the school is owed more than they are. 20% of $22,620 is $4524 which is what this school seems to think their fee is for THREE days of schooling. The tuition fee is how they are trying to calculate their school fee and this is simply a gimmick to appear they are owed the students entire fee paid for 3 days. The attached documents show a full refund is owed when a student withdraws within 3 business days. I attended this school from April 9- April 11 but now they dont want to honor my withdrawal even though the withdrawal date is written on the documents. 
  

  Va funding was not approved because the school is not accredited for any state funding including FAFSA. I would like my $1200 back asap. There is no issue with the school keeping their $300 fee but there is no way the fee to this school is $4524 especially since we did not pay $22,620 we only paid $1500. Someone with more experience should recalculate that. 

  The word refund in itself should have alerted the administration that the calculation could only be based on an amount paid to the school. 

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/29/2024

  When ***************** called on April 12th or 13th she said she would call to see what the school needed to fill out for VA. Thats when I told her we didnt accept VA and she said ok she really wanted her to attend our school so she would see what she could do. She then called on April 16th and asked to drop. I told her to send an email verification and if she was owed a refund we would let her know via email.
  
  Our refund policy provides the various scenarios in which a student is due a full refund or partial refund. Unfortunately in this case, the student is not due a refund based on the hours attended and the percentage earned by the school. 
  
  We received a written request to withdraw on April 16th, after four days of class.
  
  We are accredited by NACCAS however that does not mean we are approved by FASFA. These are two different agencies and we are in the process of receiving FASFA.