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:05/24/2024

  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.

  My two sons have been attending Hudson Valley Karate for the past three years. We normally make our payments six months in advance, and ************************* and I would confirm the payment withdrawal date in advance to ensure sufficient funds were available in my account. In October 2023, we enrolled in a *********** program based on the recommendation of *************************. I was never informed that the payment would be automatically withdrawn from my account, and I did not agree or was made aware of this method since we have never done this for the three years we have been attending Hudson Valley Karate. On 4/10/24, my account was overdrawn because Hudson Valley Karate withdrew a $1750 advance payment without notifying or obtaining authorization from me. I immediately contacted ************** and requested a refund, to which he agreed. I also informed him that I would not be able to take my sons to class due to my pregnancy. We agreed that he would issue a refund and charge my card when my kids returned on August 1st for the new 6-month period. However, ************** called me on 4/11/24, stating that they could not issue a refund. Subsequently, I canceled the services on 4/12/24 and have requested a refund multiple times, but have not received a response. Since my kids have not attended the program since April 10, 2024, there is no need for payment as no services have been provided. Despite this, Hudson Valley Karate has not refunded the funds and continues to hold funds for services they have not provided.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/29/2024

  ************************************** has been a client with us since 2021. She has always paid in full for a 6 month program for her two children, at the cost of $1700. This is a significant discount, as the value of the program when paid on a monthly basis is $1944. 

  
  For the first 18 months, ************************************** and I had to meet every 5-6 months to renew her childrens program. For ease of billing and convenience for the family, we agreed on 10/4/2023 to renew the program automatically every 6 months, for 6 payments of $1750. According to the attached membership agreement ************************************** signed on 10/4/2023, the payment would be charged every 6 months automatically. The membership agreement includes the dates each payment is to be processed. The payment on 10/6/2023 went through, and the payment on 4/6/2024 was declined, but then automatically was processed on 4/10/2024.

  
  ************************************* called on 4/10/2024 to request a refund. She detailed that she is having a child and her students would be missing several weeks of classes. We informed her on 4/11/2024 that we do not offer refunds on programs, as per line 14 on the Contract Amendment and Rights to Cancel which ************************************** signed. However we told her we would be able to offer a credit on her next scheduled payment in October 2024, based on the time missed. After not being happy with this resolution, We also offered two free weeks of Summer camp for her children. The program was then officially canceled by ************************************** on 4/12/2024 via email. We chose to waive the cancellation fee which is two months tuition. 

  
  After our conversation, ************************************** disputed the charge in the full amount with her bank. After submitting a rebuttal to this dispute, citing both the signed membership agreement and Contract Amendment and Rights to Cancel, the issuing bank accepted our rebuttal. ************************************** has also reached out to the ************ of ******** Protection. After sending the signed membership agreements, the case was closed with this agency. 

  
  Our school has proudly been serving the community for the past 30 years. In all our years of operation, we have never had a complaint sent to either the ************ of ******** Protection, or the Better Business Bureau. We understand that ************************************** is upset by the outcome of the situation, but we have offered a credit as well as free camp services. There are no further actions we are able to take to address her concerns. 

  
  Regards, 
  *************************;
  ********** *******  ****** ****** ******  ************
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  I am highly dissatisfied with Hudson Valley Karate's response to my complaint. They currently hold $1,750 for prepaid services they have not provided. Furthermore, my sons will not be returning to Hudson Valley Karate due to this issue.
  
  To reiterate:
  - I never authorized automatic payment withdrawals from my account
  - I did not receive a copy of their Contract Agreement until 5/23/24 and only learned about payment dates when I spoke with ************************* on 4/10/24.
  -The Hudson Valley Contract Agreement, which I received only on 5/23/24, does not mention a two-month cancellation policy. This crucial information was never communicated to me during the 3 years my sons attended this karate school, highlighting a clear negligence on the provider's part.
  
  The numerous complaints about Hudson Valley Karate's payment practices in recent reviews have significantly influenced my decision. I cannot allow my sons to attend a martial arts school with questionable integrity and money-handling practices.
  
  Given that my children no longer attend Hudson Valley Karate, credit or free camp services are irrelevant and unsuitable options. I am requesting a refund of $1750 for the prepaid services that my children have not utilized.

   

   

   

   

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

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

  Business Response

  Date: 05/30/2024

  In response to ************************************* points:

  
  It was made clear in the membership agreement that payments would be every 6 months. This is further shown by the payment schedule written out on the membership agreement. 

  
  -As stated in my previous response, ************************************** disputed the charge in the full amount with her bank. After submitting a rebuttal to this dispute, citing both the signed membership agreement and Contract Amendment and Rights to Cancel, the issuing bank accepted our rebuttal. Furthermore, they deemed that the charge was valid. 

  
  -The membership agreement and contract amendment have been shown to *** 
  ********************************* each time she renewed her program. The information on them has never been withheld.

  
  -It is written in the membership agreement and contract amendment that there is a sixty day cancellation fee. In addition, the contract amendment states that there are no refunds on programs. This policy has been written on these documents since ************************************* has been a client with us. 

  
  This situation is a first in our *************************** the **************** community. We pride ourselves in operating with a high level of integrity in regards to both finances and our martial arts and character development program.