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

Customer Complaints Summary

206 total complaints in the last 3 years.
36 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

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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:01/13/2024
Type:Service or Repair 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 November, I ordered a couple of knives and just paid for the shipping. I didn't sign up for anything on a monthly basis. For the 2nd time this month my Credit Card was charged 57. Just as another person stated, I cancelled the card and got a new card and it was charged as well without my authorization. And there's no way for me to cancel this subscription, that I didn't agree to, nor did I want or subscribe to.
Business Response
Date: 01/15/2024
I'm sorry to hear there's some confusion about your order!
The Steel River Patriot Colossal Fixed Blade 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. There was not a charge that was not declined. I had nothing to refund for you.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/16/2024
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:01/13/2024
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.
I purchased a knife and flashlight for **** on 12/29/2023 from SOS Self Defense Tools.My credit card was charged ***** on 1/12/2024 from the same company. I never signed up for a trial subscription and have never received an email with details about a password or log in information. I went back and checked my spam folder and no emails. I do not want a subscription and was never given an opportunity to opt out of a subscription. I want a refund and also to be removed from this service that I have no access to.
Business Response
Date: 01/15/2024
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:01/11/2024
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.
The seller enrolled me in some kind "membership" in Sept. of 2023 and billed me $57.00 which Discover Card questioned on 10/22/2023 and denied payment. After speaking to Discover card on that date, I called the merchant and cancelled any and all memberships with them which they acknowledged via email. ( Well within the 60 days that they allow for cancellation.) Since then, the merchant has been billing my Discover Card at $57.00 per month for Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. of 2023. I have received no service or contact regarding this "membership". At this point, what I want is a full refund for what they have charged me and a written conformation of cancellation. Phone contact with the merchant has been extremely difficult.
Business Response
Date: 01/12/2024
As of 1/9/2024 this customer opened a charge back . This issue has to go through that process.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/12/2024
I am rejecting this response because: The merchant has not communicated with me directly to acknowledge that I had cancelled with them in Oct 2023. I require a written or emailed copy of the original cancellation conformation sent to me in Oct. 2023. I have left numerous recorded requests requesting a call. I received one response on my answering machine which provided no information and no response to subsequent requests. They can call me at *** ******** or supply me with a phone # where someone actually answers the call rather than their robo system.

Business Response
Date: 01/16/2024
The customer receives an email from Science of Skill with the following information Order number for the cancellation and date .
In this case the customer would have received the information on 1/9 when he filed his dispute. If this information is not in your inbox please look in your spam folder . The Subject would be Academy Cancellation.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/17/2024
I am rejecting this response because: The merchant has not agreed to a refund for the three months that they billed my Discover Card @ $57.00 per month or a total of $171.00. As far as the charge back with Discover Card, the merchant has declined the charge back for Sep. and Oct. 2023 and is in the process of doing the same for their Dec. charge. They have communicated that the membership is now closed and there will be no further billings, but have avoided the subject of the refund for 2023 in the amount of $171.00.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/31/2023
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 have been charged twice for $57, I ordered 2 knives and only had to pay for shipping, now they are charging me $57 /month, and I never signed up for anything else.
Business Response
Date: 01/12/2024
we are reaching out to this customer via email to handle this issue .
Initial Complaint
Date:12/22/2023
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 ordered a "free" knife and paid shipping. Then when I got my credit card statement, I see a $9.95 and a $57 charge from Science if Skill. I never heard of them nor signed up with them. I see similar complaints as this now on the BBB web site. I filled out a cancellation form on their website and was charged an additional $37 to cancel. Scam company... Beware!
Business Response
Date: 12/27/2023
The Steel River Midnight Stealth Stiletto + Baton 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.
We do not charge a $37 charge to cancel a subscription or refund so I do not know what website he was on.

I've canceled the subscription for you.If you could please reach out to [email protected] ATTN: ******* I will be more then happy to help you with your $57 refund .

I appreciate your reaching out with your concerns!
Customer Answer
Date: 12/28/2023
I have sent a separate email as requested by ******* in her response to my complaint. There was a$37 fee to cancel that came along with the email attached here.
Business Response
Date: 01/02/2024
Reached out to the customer via phone to help get this issue handled
Initial Complaint
Date:12/19/2023
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.
I am one of the individuals that share a common experience with other complainants. I'm not sure how they got my e-mail, but they sent me some enticing offers. One for a knife and I only pay shipping. This was back in May 2023. In the offer page, I saw another knife, and added that because all I needed to do was pay for shipping. Nothing more, nothing else. Yes, I did receive the knives. However, in November my card I used to pay the shipping for suddenly received a $57 charge. I declined it not knowing why. I received a new card (new number too), and just this month, this same company got a hold of my NEW CARD NUMBER and tried charging $57 to that! I do NOT know how they got a hold of my new card number as I did NOT give it to them nor have I shared it with anyone else. This seems to me like borderline fraudulent activity as I don't know how else to put it. I looked into the confirmation e-mail from May, and in very fine print, they said that I was signed up for some academy that I had no recollection NOR desire to sign up for. At all! Neither did they ever send me any e-mail that included some login information. Yes, I checked my trash and spam folders. Nothing!

If I somehow have any subscriptions with them, I DO NOT WANT IT. I NEVER DID. I wasn't even given a fair chance at "unsubscribing" from it. All I want for them to do is to remove me from their system, unsubscribe whatever you have to, and STOP trying to charge my card for something I was not even aware I had! AND EXPLAIN TO ME HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU MANAGE TO GET INFORMATION THAT I DID NOT AUTHORIZE YOU TO HAVE!?!?
Business Response
Date: 12/20/2023
I have cancelled the subscription and refunded the November $57 charge. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time.
Customer Answer
Date: 12/20/2023
I am rejecting this response because:

You did not respond with how you were able to acquire my new card information when none of it was communicated to you! This is a major concern and a HUGE RED FLAG! I am now demanding an answer to that in FULL before I even think about accepting your response!
Business Response
Date: 12/21/2023
On 05/29/2023 ***** **** selected an offer for a free Steel River Colossal Fixed Blade and Midnight Pearl Stiletto and a 14 day trial membership to the National Self-Reliance Initiative, formerly known as Science of Skill Academy, an online training program similar to a ******* account. At the end of the trial, the membership would renew at $57 a month, as described extensively in the offer and on checkout. This is the same way that ******* runs their service.

Customer Answer
Date: 12/22/2023
I am rejecting this response because:

The business failed to explain how they were able to acquire my new card number without my authorization. I have to wonder why this business or any of its associates refuse to answer the question. It makes their practice questionable, and further affirms why I would strongly advise anyone to not do any business with such an entity. Furthermore, their use of the word "extensive" falls flat seeing how they have 17 pages of complaints practically echoing the same thing. You explaining it this way is not only disingenuous, but also does not help your case at all. How's about making it "clear" and "understandable" instead of "extensive." You have a duty to make sure your potential customers know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to be signed up for a service that will auto-renew and auto-bill them by taking advantage of your "promotional" offer for knives that are only good for camping trips, not really built for "self defense" purposes as everything you would allude to.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/05/2023
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 ordered a free knife, paid for the shipping. Just found a $57 charge to my bank account for something. I have called the number my bank said was tied to the address and there is no way to leave a message or talk to someone.I see someone else has filed this same complaint. I just want my money back as I haven't ordered anything other than FREE knife.
Business Response
Date: 12/06/2023
I'm sorry to hear there's some confusion about your order!

The Steel River Gentlemans #1 and Combat Daggeroffer 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.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/02/2023
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.
On Nov 6 2023 I purchased a knife from this company for $14.95. What I didnt know is that they charged me for a subscription I didn't authorize. Now, on Dec 2 a bill for $57 has been charged to my bank account. A phone call was made to the company about this and I have received no answer from them. I am requesting a refund from Science of Skill LLC in the amount of $57.
Business Response
Date: 12/04/2023
I'm sorry to hear there's some confusion about your order!
The Steel River Kukri Machete + Midnight Stealth 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.
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: 12/06/2023
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:11/30/2023
Type:Sales and Advertising 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.
On November 20th. I bought a package deal that was two knives and ended up getting double charged for that package as well as signed up for some subscription that I had no idea about and charged 50 something dollars extra . I want my money refunded. I want removed from the subscription list and I do not want to have to go to an attorney. Thank you and *** bless.
Business Response
Date: 11/30/2023
I'm sorry to hear there's some confusion about your order!

I've canceled the subscription for you, and refunded the $57 charges per our return policy. Please allow 3-5 business days for bank processing time.
Customer Answer
Date: 12/02/2023
I am rejecting this response because:

Our bank account is set up to auto draft payments when they are due. That is the only reason we use that account is to pay bills and your sneaky charge caused our bank account to overdraft and several bills to bounce. I'm not going to be a jerk about this but I do hope we can come to some kind of understanding because I do not have that kind of money to throw it nothing
Business Response
Date: 12/08/2023
we have refunded the $57 on 11/30/2023 03:38pm - Refunded - $57.00 Trans-ID: ********** as for the other charges you would need to return the multipay items for the refund
We do have a 60 day return policy. If you would like to send the package back.

We'll issue a refund for you once it's received in our warehouse. Our return address is:
*** ** **** ***
******** ** ***** ***
****** ** *****

Customer Answer
Date: 12/12/2023
I am rejecting this response because:
Nowhere in the advertisement did it say anything about recurring payments. Its advertised as a free gift, just pay shipping. Nowhere anywhere does it say we will charge you $13/day for 4 days and then twice on the last day for a total of $65. Plus the $57. That's $122 for an add that said "free just pay shipping". I don't think that qualifies as truth in advertising. I do not want to bring negativity to your company because I am a Patriot, but I'll be ****** if I let you steal from me. And I will get loud about it if I have to. Please let's not go that route, just send the money back minus the advertised price.
Initial Complaint
Date:11/26/2023
Type:Customer Service 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.
On 11/22/23 I ordered a free knife. Paid $7.95 for shipping. I did not see that I will be entering a subscription and I don’t want to be billed for it. Company support does not answer calls or email. I want the subscription cancelled.
Business Response
Date: 11/27/2023
This customers account was cancelled today
11/27/2023 08:18am - Recurring turned OFF . This was handled on an email that the customer sent in previously.
Customer Answer
Date: 11/27/2023
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.

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