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Business Profile

Emergency Disaster Preparedness

Science of Skill, LLC

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

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

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 207 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 36 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.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/13/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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 a knife for which I willingly paid 9.95 on August 24, 2024. On August 29 they charged me 57 I had not agreed to and knew nothing about. On September 4 I got two additional charges. One for 9.95 and another for 57. I tried to call them multiple times during their business hours but no one picked up. I have reported the charges as fraud with my bank and canceled the credit card. I did just email them, today, asking for my money back but, after reading all the reviews, decided I had better file a report. I expect a refund of 123.95

      Business Response

      Date: 09/16/2024

      This Consumer was billed on 8/15 for a USA Stiletto + RED 2024 Hat & BLACK 2024 Flag at 9.95

      The offer you ordered was packaged and advertised as including a 14 day free trial to The National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, which became a monthly subscription. This was described in the offer and on the checkout page along with the Welcome to the community email you receive with the link, username and password at the time the order is placed.  which billed at $57

      These are the only 2 charges that can be found with the information that was provided .

      We will not be refunding anything due to the fact a dispute was filed .

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/03/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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 paid shipping for two items a machete and a knife and without my authorization they took out $35 and $57 from my account without my authorization and overthrew my account they need to refund my money

      Business Response

      Date: 09/09/2024

      The amount of your machetes were $12.95 for shipping . The $57 was taken care through our customer service department on 9/3/2024

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/03/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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 bought a knife from this company and I'm getting charged $57 dollars for a subscription I didn't not ask for and nothing even in return. I want the subscription canceled and my money returned.

      Business Response

      Date: 09/09/2024

      this consumer was handled through our customer service department 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/28/2024

      Type:Delivery 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 ordered the Free: Redwood + Pearl Stiletto for the shipping cost of 7.95, and my card was charged $57.00

      Business Response

      Date: 08/29/2024

      This complaint was handled on a phone call with one of our customer representatives on 8/28/24.

      08/28/2024 04:25pm - Refunded - $57.00 Trans-ID: **********

      Customer Answer

      Date: 08/29/2024

      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.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/17/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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 knife from SOS and had nothing else to do with this company. The next thing that takes place is I am charged $57.00 on my credit card. I have tried to reach them with no success. This is a scam I want my money returned immediately.

      Business Response

      Date: 08/19/2024

      The Steel River TDK offer you ordered was packaged and advertised as including a 14 day free trial to The National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, which became a monthly subscription. This was described in the offer and on the checkout page along with the Welcome to the community email you receive with the link, username and password at the time the order is placed.

      I've canceled the subscription for you, and refunded the $57 charge per our return policy. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/26/2024

      Type:Billing 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.
      On an advertisement, I ordered supposedly free knives for just having to pay a $9.95 shipping charge. Now they keep billing me $57 each month on my credit card. This has occurred in June 2024 and July 2024. I contact my credit card company and reported fraud today, 26 July 2024. I had to cancel my credit card and Credit Human will issue me a new one in 5-10 days. When I phoned Credit Human to report the fraud, I was told I had to phone SOS Self Defense Tools and cancel a subscription. I don’t ever recall subscribing anything from them. I called them and had to leave a callback message. I then went online and sent them a message to cancel my subscription. As of now, I have not received a call or answer to my message. After Googling SOS, I find that I’m not the only person hat this has happened to. Please Help. Thank you.

      Business Response

      Date: 07/29/2024

      This consumers account was taken care of on a call 7/26

      Customer Answer

      Date: 07/29/2024

      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.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/11/2024

      Type:Billing 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 got a $57 charge on my credit card when I didn’t buy anything for that much. I looked into it and found out it is a subscription fee. I didn’t sign up for a subscription and they automatically subscribe you when you buy something from them. When I ordered a bundle of knives from them I didn’t see anything about them subscribing me to a subscription and there being a fee for it.

      Business Response

      Date: 07/12/2024

      The Steel River Stealth Stiletto + Colossal Patriot + Titanium Sentinel offer you ordered was packaged and advertised as including a 14 day free trial to The National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, which became a monthly subscription. This was described in the offer at multiple spots and on the checkout page, when you get ready to complete the offer, on your confirmation email and the email you receive from the academy itself with your user name link and password for the site.

      I've canceled the subscription for you, and refunded the $57 charge per our return policy. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 07/12/2024

      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.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/16/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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 a knife set from this company, which described itself as "SoS Self Defense Tools" on its website. The knives cost $10. Two weeks later, they charged my credit card $57. I did not make any other purchases or interact with the company in any way. They just charged my credit card without any authorization. I want them to refund the $57 and never charge my credit card again because they shouldn't have charged that in the first place. It's entirely fraudulent.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/27/2024

      The Steel River Colossal Fixed Blade and Midnight Pearl Stiletto offer you ordered was packaged and advertised as including a 14 day free trial to The National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, which became a monthly subscription. This was described in the offer and on the checkout page.


      The subscription was cancelled and (2) charges were previously refunded on 6/17/24 per our return policy. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time from that date .

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/20/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      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.
      1/1/2024 I ordered a "free" Steel River Hammerhead Hatchet. All I had to do was pay $9.95 shipping, which I did. I did not see anything about any membership with monthly fees attached, or I would not have sent for the item.

      Jan-May $57 per month was taken out of my account for a total of $285. I noticed this in May, as I am usually very religious about doing my monthly checkbook balancing, but I had been dealing with my mother-in-law, who lived with me for 4 1/2 years after my husband died and had Alzheimer's and cancer for months before finally passing in March 2024. I was her power of attorney and power of attorney for health care decisions. So I was dealing with getting her estate taken care of following her death. So I just had the opportunity to check my checking account and saw all the charges coming out and immediately called and emailed the company, requesting they stop taking out the money and refund what they had taken.

      According to "*," with whom I spoke on the phone finally today, their policy is to only refund $114. Why, I asked. Because most people see the charge by the second month and cancel. I explained what I had been going through and was told she was not allowed to go above the $114.

      When I asked for a supervisor, ******* called me later and refunded another month for a total refund of $171, leaving $114 for which I am still asking for a refund. I have not used or accessed in any way this supposed membership stuff, as I didn't even know the charges were coming out. She said an email was sent after my order of the "free" item, explaining the membership. Well, obviously I did not read the email until today, which is surely my bad, but I assumed--which you should NEVER do--that it was just the confirmation of my order for the "free" item.

      I respectfully request that they refund the remaining $114.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/21/2024

      This consumer was taken care of yesterday on a call not only with a representative but a Manager call back we refunded a total of 3 charges 1 being out side of our money back guarantee 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/21/2024

       I am rejecting this response because:


      I requested a full refund with a balance of $114 remaining outstanding.  I think it's deceptive practice to offer a "free item - just pay shipping and handling" and then include some monthly "dues" for an obscure "membership."  I was sent a link from *******, the supervisor, who informed me that it was "clear" that I was signing up for the membership when I placed my order.  I respectfully disagree.  Below is the link she sent:

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

      You can see on the web page that far down on the page in small font is the following:  

      Claim my LIMITED FREE Gift for just the cost of shipping & handling & Get LIFETIME access to dozens of Courses, Tools and Experts aimed at making me self-reliant for FREE for 14 Days and then only $57/mo. I know I can easily cancel my membership at any time! 

      This was below the COMPLETE ORDER button, and I did not see it, or I would not have sent for the item, period.  Also, what is this I get lifetime access to???  Can you see a website offered with "courses, tools and experts"???  I absolutely believe this is deceptive.  It also says, "I can easily cancel my membership at any time," but it, of course, does not tell you you cannot be refunded the money they've taken from you.  This is wrong and should not be allowed to say something is "FREE" and swindle you into some membership with the fine print.  Companies should have to clearly and in large font post these "memberships," and it should have to show up on the order form with the rest of your order information. 

      I am a widow who just lost her mother-in-law, the only remaining connection to my husband.  As I explained to *******, I have been dealing with Mama having Alzheimer's as well as cancer all over her body before her death in March.  Subsequently, I have been dealing with closing her estate, as I was her power of attorney.  I am just now beginning to return to handling my own life and obligations while still grieving.  I have one income, and I'm it.  I respectfully ask for the remaining $114.

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

       

      Business Response

      Date: 05/23/2024

      Again we have a 60 day money back guarantee on all products and services we have gone beyond our return policy and refunded an addition $57 charge we will not be refunding anything further 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/24/2024

       I am rejecting this response because:


      I got the "free" item, but I did not see the fine print about signing up for some membership that I did not want.  Again, I think it is deceptive practices to put these fine print catches in an order, and it should not be allowed.  I respectfully request a r3efund of the additional $114.

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

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/19/2024

      Type:Customer Service 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 two knives for shipping only and now I have a charge for $57.00 on my bank account. I am not aware of any other purchases. I would like a refund of the $57 charge and to als remove my information, including name, address, banking information and any other information related to me.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/20/2024

      The Steel River Gentlemans #1 and Combat Dagger offer you ordered was packaged and advertised as including a 14 day free trial to The National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, which became a monthly subscription. This was described in the offer and on the checkout page.


      I've canceled the subscription for you, and refunded the $57 charge per our return policy. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time.

       

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/20/2024

       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.

    Science of Skill, LLC is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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