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Business Profile

Tutoring

Babbel

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Tutoring.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Babbel's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Babbel has 2 locations, listed below.

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    • Babbel

      475 Park Ave S Fl 2 New York, NY 10016-6952

    • Babbel

      1601 California Ave Palo Alto, CA 94304-1111

    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 77 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 37 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    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.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/18/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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.
      On January 26, 2024, I purchased a 1-year subscription to Babble Language Learning, I have tried logging in to use the program yet it keeps requesting that my account does not exist, and the password is incorrect. I changed it 4 times. Finally, I logged in 4 days ago, Now it requests that I purchase the program. I paid for one year. Not one month. The platform appears to be using the bait and switch technique and makes it difficult to utilize the program. I have called several times only to be disconnected. I have sent an email to customer service yet no reply.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/08/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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 ordered Babbel for one year. In February, they charged me about $200 for automatic renewal for which I did not give consent. I reached out and they refused to give me my money back. They only consented to un-do the auto-renewal feature. By the way, I couldn't find this information on my login. So I was never able to see the renewal date or reverse it on my own. I've never encountered this before. On the few occasions this has happened with other providers of services, they have always issued a refund. To add insult to injury, they charged me the highest possible rate. I'm not looking to switch apps, I'm just too busy to use this app which is why I chose to let it expire. They never gave a warning about the upcoming auto renewal. They charged Paypal (I also filed with them.) Merchant details Paypal Babbel ************** ****

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/02/2024

      Better Business Bureau:
      I have no new messages from Babbel beyond the original emails refusing to refund the payment. I could not find any way to access autopayment status on my account but they graciously agreed to remove my automatic renewal status for next year. To add insult to injury they charged me their highest un-discounted price. 

      complaint ID ********.

      Sincerely,

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

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/16/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      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 a lifetime membership on 2/13/2024. The deal indicated if I was not satisfied I could get a refund within the first 20 days. After using it for 2 days I realized it was not a good program and that I could find better options so I wanted a refund. I have attempted to cancel in every way possible. I called (and was directly hung up on every time) I emailed with no response and their online chat always says they are offline the second you indicate you want to cancel and have a refund. This company is awful and I wish I knew how bad they were before signing up. I just want my money back.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/16/2024

      Better Business Bureau:

      I have have recived a refund made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

      Sincerely,

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



       

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/15/2024

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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 company charged me $85 literal YEARS after signing up for a subscription. I never used it, but didn't request that initial refund because I agreed to the service. However, years later, I am charged $85 and they refuse to refund my money. I not only was never notified, but it's crooked business practice to charge someone that amount of time later for a "renewal." I never signed a contract with them, they are not legally entitled to my money, and I am furious!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/13/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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.
      Babbel refuses to cancel subscription. I disabled auto renew but they are still charging me. I want a $72 refund and for them to cease future charges

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/31/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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 received a gift of 6 months of Babbel for 6 people who are traveling to ******. I logged in but the 5 other people could not. I have written to Babbel without an answer. I have called the customer service number only to be directed to a page that charged a months fee to ask a question. I wrote to live chat and was directed to articles that did not answer my question. I noticed that there are many complaints on the Better Business Bureau regarding their business practices. I found this to be the worst business to deal with. As of now, I have no resolution.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/16/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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.
      A year ago I purchased a year of babble. I did not enjoy the product so I canceled my account and took the first payment as a loss. Early this month I was surprisingly charged again for another year at $89.40. I immediately emailed them to request a refund and to assure that my account was cancelled. After a week of back and forth they still refuse to issue a refund for a wrongful charge. The weird part is that the card I used to purchase the year script was replaced (same number but different three digit pin, and exp date).

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/10/2024

      At this time, I have been contacted directly by Babbel regarding complaint ID ********, however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

      [Your Answer Here]

      I have attached the email thread I was having before I contacted BBB for assistance. As you can see, they are being completely unreasonable and unfair. 

       

       

       

      In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

      Sincerely,

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

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/03/2024

      Better Business Bureau:

      At this time, I have not been contacted by Babbel regarding complaint ID ********.

      Sincerely,

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

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/08/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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.
      Babbel automatically renews your subscription without ever notifying you that they will do so. Then it is not possible to get a refund. Expecting people to remember to check subscriptions that one has topped using is a business model that seeks to make money from people in a dishonest way. They also make it very unclear how to cancel a subscription, which feeds into dishonest business practices.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/04/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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 have been getting charged quarterly by Babbel. The charges cant be cancelled via an account with them because they dont associate with any account. I have been trying to get in touch with them since October via messenger since there was no phone number available. I have tried the phone number listed by the BBB and it says hold for an agent then 30 seconds later disconnects. I dont know what else I can do to contact them.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/02/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      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 trying to resolve this issue with ***** but I could not find a contact number for them. They automatically renew last year's subscription. They did this without any reminder. I did not agree to this. On 12/28/2023 they debited my bank account $79.80. I just want this reversed and my account credited the amount, This was done electronically and therefore I have no documentation .

    Babbel is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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