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:04/08/2025

  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.

  We signed up for 45 hrs counselling program with Dewey Smart and paid in 2 installments. I paid 2000$ in the first installment and next one was due in few weeks or month, which I am not sure of. I was not satisfied with the program and I was thinking to not continue with 45 hrs and rather stay with just 20 hrs worth of $2000 which I already paid. I was out of country that time and I thought to talk to Dewey after my return. When I returned I saw that Dewey already charge my card and deducted rest of $2000. I requested them to refund me $2000 and just continue with 20 hrs or less of counselling, I also provided my feedback in detail and reason that we are not getting what we signed up for but they plainly refused to refund. They assigned me another college kid for counselling so I thought to give one more try but I had same feedback. I again gave them my feedback and complained that I was not satisfied with the program, nothing is being done with this counselling rather it is wasting our precious time. But they did not listen, I again tried few days back but the same thing. I even complained to the CEO but never got any response back. I would request you to please look into the matter and refund us 2000$. I will appreciate your help. Hoping to be heard and be fair. Thanks,Deepa

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/10/2025

  1. When I signed contract I did not receive any document, I asked ******** to send me the contract to read the terms but I never received it. On the name of contract, she sent me a screenshot saying 'All sales are final', it is there in the attached email. So there seem to be no binding contract between us and Dewey Smart in my possession. They deducted $2000 from my credit card without informing me and I do not even have the receipt of it. 
  

  2. I emailed the CEO ******* ***, providing my feedback but he never responded.

  3. ******* ,the admission counselor claims that he has been answering all questions and there are no road blockers. But fact is whenever I send the feedback or complain they just share some more links with us and never took us seriously. 

  4. We asked help with the summer programs/internships but we were not happy with the way it was handled as a result we ended up with no programs/internship. A college student is assigned to us to help but they are just kids and they agree with whatever we say, they do not guide us with what we should do. I asked ******* to assign us some professional counselor which we need, he said he himself is a professional. So, I requested him to add himself on our counselling board so we can fix meeting with him but he never did and imposed the college students on us. 

  $4000 is a huge money and We could have used this money to get the actual counseling, now we  lost both the money and time.  

  Attached are the email threads that prove the above things. This business does not even seem to be legit, they couldn't even provide us with the binding contract.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/10/2025

  Email attachments for reference

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/14/2025

  Hi,
   
  Thanks for registering my complaint.
  I have an update that I need to share. After signing the contract with Dewey Smart, I did not receive any document from them and at that time I did not pay attention to it.  For the second installment, they charged my credit card without my consent, did not even inform me.
   
  For the last few days, I have been asking the Dewey Smart team to send me the agreement/contract that I signed up with them. After 2 days of going back and forth, all they sent me is the below screenshot in the name of contract.
   
  I am also attaching the email thread between me and Sheriah requesting for contract.
   
  Thanks,
  Deepa
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/01/2025

  Hi,

  I have received a refund of $2000 from Dewey Smart and would like to close this compliant. Please take down this complaint.

  Thank you for your support.

  Thanks,

  Deepa

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/29/2025

  Type:Customer Service 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 bought a package from ******* ***** for $4500 for the two of my children last year in June. ******* matched my daughter with a someone who canceled our appointment last minute then proceeded to tell us that her availability was only from 11 PM - 1 AM during the work week. My daughter would not be available to meet with her during those hours. I emailed ******* to find us another counselor however her never emailed me back. I emailed him and called him on numerous occasions with no response. Due to the time restrictions We hired another company to counsel my daughter and son, who also did not like his counselor. I emailed the company for a refund and I they have not responded. I have requested a refund from them 3 times. Twice by email and once by voicemail. I would appreciate a refund so we can use the money efficiently.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/29/2025

  We have no record of a refund request from them via email.

  I'm also attaching an email thread where we reached out, but got no response.

  We made our best effort to support this family through the college admissions process, but they chose not to use the hours they purchased. We have a clear no refund policy.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/03/2025

  We have no record of a refund request from them via email.

  I'm also attaching an email thread where we reached out, but got no response.

  We made our best effort to support this family through the college admissions process, but they chose not to use the hours they purchased. We have a clear no refund policy.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/21/2025

  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.

  We paid DS nearly $3,000 for tutoring and SAT prep. Emails starting in June the first ****** we were assigned could not be scheduled. We had to send multiple emails to be told they were out of the country. We were then assigned Max on September 16, who never showed up to multiple scheduled meetings. We were then assigned Shaurik, who ghosted several times in a row (around September 21st). I called and spoke to someone after putting myself on the ceos calendar as if I was a new client, this was the only way we were able to get any response after a week of numerous calls, voicemails, texts and emails with no response. At this point the SAT was right around the corner and nothing had been done. Hours were wasted sitting in zoom calls with no one showing up.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/29/2025

  We reached out to this family to schedule SAT sessions. This family chose not to respond to our repeated attempts at outreach.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/03/2025

  We reached out to this family to schedule SAT sessions. This family chose not to respond to our repeated attempts at outreach.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/25/2024

  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.

  Bought college admission package. Company did not provide services. Company offered refund. Refund never received.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/25/2024

  I have been refunded. The complaint can be closed.