ComplaintsforPSI Seminars

• Initial Complaint

  07/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am reaching out to express my issue regarding a PSI seminar course I attended in late April. Despite my initial enthusiasm, I did not derive any significant value from the course. As per the companys policy stated on their website, if you find no value we will refund you with no questions asked, I proceeded to request a refund in May.Despite my numerous attempts to reach out via email, I received no response for quite some time. It was only last Wednesday that I finally received a reply, assuring me that I would be updated on the status of my refund. However, I am yet to hear back from them. This delay is concerning, especially since it has now exceeded the initially quoted refund processing time of 6-8 weeks. (Which is already a very long refund time frame) I had intended to wait longer, but the lack of progress and communication from their end has led me to believe that my concerns are not being addressed. I am hopeful that your intervention will expedite the resolution of this matter.For your reference, I have attached photographs of my email exchanges with the company. Please note that I have blurred out any personal contact information to ensure privacy for both me and the email responder. I greatly appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Thank you for your assistance.

  Business response

  07/22/2024

  Please see attached response.

  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  During the January 24 through January 26 seminar PSI held in ********, **, the instructor made an inappropriate comment to me about how good I smelled on Saturday morning, January 25. I deflected the comment, as it made me feel uncomfortable. At the end of the night, the instructor singled me out and publicly berated me for the manner in which ***************** had just played a game. It was an extremely adversarial interaction for me that only stopped because I responded to the instructor's attack with silence. As such, I did not feel comfortable returning to the seminar on January 26. The incident was reported to PSI Seminars and I requested the cost of the seminar ($595) be refunded to myself ($200) and also to my then-employer ($395). I was told by a PSI Seminars employee, ***************************** *************) on February 14 that the instructor would "receive additional training" in response to my report of sexual harassment and their current refund policy does not allow for refunds in this situation (refunds are only available to folks who attend the ENTIRE seminar), but that she would see if an exception could be made. ************************ has refused all of my subsequent calls and no refund has been given by PSI Seminars. I am requesting the full refund be made by PSI Seminars without further delay.

  Business response

  03/14/2024

  Please see attached response.

  Customer response

  03/14/2024

   
  Complaint: 21383960
  
  I am rejecting this response because the check has nor yet arrived. Once the refund clears the bank, I will notify BBB to close the complaint.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************************

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  Please see attached response.

• Initial Complaint

  11/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In April 2023 had attended a seminar in ********** for a weekend. At the end PSI offered up two addtional classes that would be in ***** to build upon the first one. Had went ahead and paid for the two classes to take place at a later date and when those classes would be avaiable. These two classes did not include travel or hotel and required a week stay at the Ranch . When upon returning back to work from the weekend one and a calender from PSI of dates , concluded that do to extra expenses (travel and hotel) along with not being able to attend because of work and funds, reached out to PSI to cancel. Which around two weeks later got a reply that there was no cancellation / refund for the prepaid classes. Basically am out $9800.00 with nothing to show for it. Which makes me wonder if this had been during COVID ,sickness, accident, impairment, natural disaster,(since in *******)etc -would this policy still be inforced of NO REFUND? If THE ***** had been impaled upon due to fire, flood, war etc - Would this company not issue a refund to participents also?

  Business response

  11/14/2023

  Please see attached response.

  Customer response

  11/16/2023

   
  Complaint: 20854879
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Your company *************** me to believe what was stated at the time , being 4-16-23 of the cancellation process should there be a change in life. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I attended the *** Basic Seminar at the end of which the instructors used undue influence to coerce me to sign up for the next level of *** Seminar, which cost $2,950. I signed the contract under duress as they used the following techniques... 1) After several long days attending the *** seminar with very few and short breaks, we are in a weakened mental state and susceptible to their influence as instructors, authority figures and trusted advisors. During the seminar, all activities were done with a group but when persuading you to sign up, they separate individuals to create an environment of intimidation and weaken your mental state. 2) They built in several hours throughout and at the end of the seminar to persuade you to sign up for the next level which created the opportunity, using time from the paid seminar itself, for them to exert their influence and take advantage of the attendees/captive audience. 3) *** used the instructors who were closest to you and had built trust with you throughout the week (or if you knew them prior to the seminar) as an unfair advantage to push you into signing the contract, knowing we'd be more susceptible to their persuasion. They often had more than one person speaking with you so it was a 2 on 1 scenario, with you sitting in a chair and them sitting directly across from you or standing up in front of you (like an interrogation) - which exerted even more pressure and intimidation. The chairs were distanced from other attendees and in a straight vertical line, so that you could not make eye contact with any other attendees. 4) As a result of all of the above, I felt I had to sign a contract and pay the $2,950 given I was alone, in a weakened mental state, feeling intimidated and following the lead of those around me that I had come to trust. Later, as I returned to my normal mental state and feeling psychologically safe, I asked for a refund and was denied, stating that it was non-refundable.

  Business response

  07/16/2023

  Please see attached response.

  Customer response

  07/21/2023

   
  Complaint: 20287953
  
  I am rejecting this response because you have not addressed my specific complaint of undue influence.  Please respond regarding the use of undue influence to coerce me to sign up for another *** course.  I see similar claims made by others on BBB reviews and BBB complaints (as well as in other forums) from the past and in more recent years sharing the same experience and results - the vulnerability of the victims, the *** instructors authority, the actions or tactics used by *** instructors and the economic consequences to the victims.  I'd like to work with PSI Seminars to resolve my case.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  07/28/2023

  Please see attached response.

  Customer response

  08/04/2023

   
  Complaint: 20287953
  
  I am rejecting this response because stating "we do not have access to any information from that time" is contradictory to previous statements made by the company.  Per their response in this same thread on July 16, 2023, they shared the exact date that I attended the *** Basic Seminar and paid for the Life Success Course under undue influence and the exact amount I paid at the time, proving they have access to the information needed to respond to my specific complaint of undue influence.  If you will not provide a refund, then please respond to the specific complaint regarding your widespread practices of using undue influence to get seminar attendees to sign up for the next level course, including addressing all of the specific tactics used by your instructors and staff that I stated in my orignial complaint. 
  
  Sincerely,
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On November 2022, I signed up for PSI *** coaching in *********, ******. PSI advised that the course was set to begin on February 2023. It is now almost April and the *** course that I paid to attend in February 2023 has not begun. So I basically paid tuition for a course that does not exist. Have can I not get a refund regardless of the policy for a course that I was told will start in February 2023 and has not begun? I feel like I have been misled to pay for something that failed to start when it was advised it would. So technically I paid for a non-existing class. This seems extremely unethical to me and on top of that no one from PSI employees has reached out to me to provide me with any information. I guess PSI treats clients like a number. I would like a refund. I paid for a class that does not exist and I find it extremely unethical to be sold something that does not exist.

  Business response

  04/06/2023

  The PLD program is an active and ongoing 90-day team-building program offered by PSI Seminars. When registering for PLD, no class date is provided as this is an on-demand program, meaning there wont be a date declared until the minimum number of participants is registered. 
  
  The complainant signed the registration acknowledging the PSI Seminars tuition policy which is:

  
  I have read, understand, and agree to the *** Tuition Policy and all *** Terms and Conditions
  Tuition must be paid in full prior to attending. All tuition payments are non-refundable and must be utilized within **************************************** will be forfeited.
  Changing your attendance date within 3 weeks of scheduled class is subject to a $100 fee. Class size is limited, and payment in full does not guarantee a seat in the class. If the class is at capacity you will be placed on a waitlist. Once your registration is complete a representative will contact you to confirm your status.

  
  PSI Seminars has been in business for 50 years and we stand firm on our refund policy. There will be no refund. The complainant registered for the program on November 28th, 2022, taking advantage of our post-Thanksgiving holiday sale and receiving a discount of more than $500. They chose to register on their own and were not prompted. No date or schedule was available.  PSI Seminars forecast beginning a team in ********* sometime in February and the minimum criteria didnt come together to be able to move forward at that time. A copy of the complainants registration is available upon request. 

  
  PSI Seminars is actively holding information meetings to build the next team, which is usually offered once a year in *********. We are excited to start this next team and deliver the best experience possible for the complainant, the other players, and the coaches. 

  
  The local *** Representative has reached out to the complainant. 
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  October 2019 I paid PSI seminars $14,100 in tuition costs (PSI 7 x 2, WLS courses) and registered my husband and I for "PSI 7" to be held March *****, 2020 in *******************. On March 15, 2020, we received communication from PSI that the course had been cancelled due to the ******19 pandemic. January 2021 I contacted PSI 7 seminars requesting refund of my tuition. After much back and forth, I reluctantly agreed to attend their course in August 2021. Upon arriving (5 hours of driving and 1 week booked unpaid off work) I was informed the class had to be cancelled due to a ******19 outbreak. I am now pregnant which PSI seminars considers a medical contraindication to attending their courses. I have retained a lawyer who issued a demand letter in June 2022, to which PSI did not respond. My lawyer re-issued the letter July 2022 with a one month window, and again PSI Seminars has not responded.

  Business response

  08/24/2022

  PSI Seminars has contacted the complainant directly to resolve this to their satisfaction.

  Customer response

  08/28/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ******** and, as long as there is follow-through with the communicated actions, find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************** Nee ******

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On June 19, 2022, the last day of the *** basic class, they introduce the advanced class, saying how good is it, and the first 10 people who sign up will get a discount. so I went to the staff and go online want up to staff to call ******** and want to get more information. but the website on my phone did not works when I tried to sign up. and my bank would not let the transition go through. so I and my team just went to lunch, and I did leave my credit card information with the staff ******. She did help charge my credit card into two separate payments and sign me up when I am not there. but no one ever tells me the rules about no refund no matter what. they just said if I change my mind or schedule, they can work things out. On June 28, I text ******** and got no reply, then email her on July 5, no reply, I call her on July 7 and got ******** cell and email. ****** said she can not assist me with the refund and will have someone else contact me. after that, I contacted them a few times, but they just kicked me back and forth, no one try to solve the problem they created. So I file a complaint that I did not being informed at all about the payment rules, I am not the one that completed online payment.

  Business response

  08/25/2022

  The complainant states that she was never told of the refund policy. The local *** Representative sat with her and reviewed the entire application including the refund policy when she completed the registration. Our records show that the registration was completed at 1:05 PM, well before the 2:30 PM lunch break. A copy of the registration is available upon request.

  
  Since that time, she has participated in text, email and phone conversations with the *** representative and the policy regarding refunds has been reiterated. The complainant emailed on 7.5.22 asking about other locations besides ********** and received acknowledgement on 7.6.22 that her inquiry was being copied to the Advanced Seminar support. She has posted on a ************** page and our representative contacted her on July 29th. She confided with our representative that a lack of support from her spouse is the real reason for demanding a refund. We offered to have a conversation with the spouse, however she has not facilitated that happening. 

  
  PSI Seminars *** VII The Life Success Course refund policy is the following: 

  
  I have read,  understand, and agree to the *** Tuition Policy and all *** Terms and Conditions.
  

  Tuition must be paid in full prior to attending. All tuition payments are non-refundable and must be utilized within **************************************** will be forfeited. Changing your attendance date with 30 days of your scheduled class is subject to a $1000 fee.
  

  In the event you are unable to attend, you can make a one-time transfer of the full amount of your paid tuition to another student. Transferred funds will be converted to a non-refundable single-use voucher that can be applied to any full price seminar purchase. Transfer voucher must be redeemed within 30 days or will be forfeited.
  

  ******, I understand that PSI Seminars ****** is governed by the Provincial Consumer Protection Acts. Furthermore, I understand that my payment for any *** Advanced Seminar is non-refundable and must be utilized within **************************************** will be forfeited.
  

  PSI Seminars has been in business for 50 years and we stand by our policies. 
  

  The complainant is invited to select a future date to attend the Life Success Course before her tuition expires in June 2023. Here are the available dates:
  

  September *****, 2022 in **********
  October *****, 2022 in **********
  November *****, 2022 in **********
  December ****, 2022 in southern **********
  January ****, 2023 in southern **********
  February *****, 2023 in southern **********
  March 26-April 1, 2023 in **********
  April *****, 2023 in **********
  

  We look forward to welcoming her to the seminar in the near future. 

  Customer response

  08/25/2022

   
  Complaint: 17714084
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  1,A copy of the registration is request. my whole team member that have lunch together can prove that I was not there when the transation being done. registration time and payment time was not a same thing. someone sign in online to check out the class does't mean they will attent until they pay right? you guys will not save a spot for the person who do not paid. don't try to misinterpreted what happened.

  2,The local PSI Representative sat with her and reviewed the entire application including the refund policy when she completed the registration.----Who is that, I need the name and contact information.I just talked to ******** and ****** ever.  No one had mention the refund policy at all in the semiar ! 

  3 The complainant emailed on 7.5.22------ does anyone reply and contact me ? please prove that. I am the one who keep texting and calling for help. I got the prove of history, show us who do you got. I did read the refund policy before I file a complain, not before you guys went throught my payment. that's what service for a class that charge $5800 USD. 

  4,She confided with our representative that a lack of support from her spouse is the real reason for demanding a refund----that really make me laught.  I said I just don't want to go. Why do I need to disclouse my personal life information to you?  I just don't want to join this and what you guys did at the seminare was not right. you should tell someone that no matter what the law is in ******, this will be no refund no matter what instead of telling me that: no worries , we can arrange if you change your mind 30days before the class. 

  5, PSI Seminars has been in business for 50 years and we stand by our policies----- your staff did not do what they supose to do, as a company for a history, why can't u just admit the mistake and make sure it will never happend again instead of pushing people to the class.

  6, ********* is a nonprofit organization committed to building a better universe today so that it can be cherished tomorrow by people from all walks of life----please explain that. hard sale in the basic class and try to push people to the advance class just to make more money.?  no one take this serious enought in your company to contact me before I file this complain with all the evidence ? 

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

  Business response

  09/08/2022

  Please see attached response to the complainant.

  Customer response

  09/09/2022

  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  08/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On February 16, 2022, I wrote an email to ****** with PSI Seminars with a question about the $2,150 I have paid directly to PSI Seminars towards services I never received. I was supposed to attend a seminar in May of 2022 and I have not been able to get into contact with ******, who is the person handling my payments. It has been almost 6 months and ****** still has not replied to my email.

  Business response

  08/26/2022

  The complainant states that she has not had any contact from PSI Seminars.
  

  Yes she did send an email to ****** on February 16, 2022 and ****** responded that same day acknowledging the family situation and letting the complainant know that her tuition is non-refundable, however ****** would extend the deadline beyond the 1-year **** and put the payment plan on hold to give the complainant time to get everything settled.
  

  The complainant acknowledged ******* response on February 17th, 2022 agreeing to the offer to extend the time to pay and moving the deadline.
  

  ****** emailed the complainant back on February 17th, 2022, letting her know to reach out to ****** when she is ready to resume payments and then, when she is paid in full, she would work with the complainant on the date to attend.
  

  On February 18th, 2022, ****** again emailed the complainant to let her know that her payment plan had been canceled and to let ****** know when the complainant is ready to continue with the payment plan.
  

  A copy of the communication and the signed registration are available upon request.
  

  The *** Advanced Seminar Tuition Policy reads as follows:
  

       I have read, understand, and agree to the Tuition Policy.
       I understand that payment for the *** VII The Life Success Course and the *** Leadership Seminar is non-refundable/non-transferable. All monies held must be utilized within 12 months from the date of the               initial payment or it is forfeited. If I choose to attend a date other than the seminar I am registered for and have not notified the *********** in writing prior to 14 days before the start of the seminar, I understand       that I am subject to an administrative fee of $500. 
  

  The Life Success Course is responsibility training, it is about breaking up what is comfortable  and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is an opportunity to recognize what gets in the way of expanding one's life. The purpose of *** VII is to present a series of events to learn to operate from a new and/or different beingness around:
       Relationships - with self and others
       Wealth - of time and money
       Fear - as an ally
       Courage - to feel the fear and do it anyway
       Risk - with great risk comes great reward
       Passion - create more fun and excitement in your life 
       Clarity and Certainty - Is the world happening to you or are you happening to the world?
  
  It is transformational!
  
  PSI Seminars has been in business for 50 years and we stand by our policies. We are committed to what can happen so that anyone can be the best human being possible as a result of doing this work.
  The complainant is invited to restart her payment plan and then choose which future date to attend the Life Success Course. Here are the available dates:
  

  September *****, 2022 in **********
  October *****, 2022 in **********
  November *****, 2022 in **********
  December ****, 2022 in southern **********
  January ****, 2023 in southern **********
  February *****, 2023 in southern **********
  March 26-April 1, 2023 in **********
  April *****, 2023 in **********
  
  We look forward to welcoming her to the seminar in the near future.
  

  
  

  Customer response

  08/31/2022

   
  Complaint: 17696937
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The emails you are referring to are not what I wrote my initial complaint about. I am specifically talking about the email that I sent to ****** in April that she never replied to. I included a screen shot of the email I was talking about so we can both be on the same page.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  09/14/2022

  Please see attached response and documentation

  Customer response

  09/20/2022

   
  Complaint: 17696937
  
  I am rejecting this response because: After re reading my original complaint, it does appear that I only provided the date I had initially contacted her via email (February 16th) when I should have also included the date that I replied to ******'s latest email that I did not ever receive a response to (April 18th) . As you can see from the screenshots of our email chain, ****** stopped replying as soon as I asked for flexibility with the refund policy. I would like to know why she never replied to my email when I asked for flexibility with the refund policy. There is proof that I sent that email which I have provided via screenshot attachment. As soon as I asked for flexibility with the refund policy the communication was ended. I have two thousand dollars of my hard earned money invested in your company and I am not getting the impression that you are taking me seriously. I am still dealing with my Grandfathers stroke and I am under the impression that PSI Seminars does not actually care about my family situation. I understand that you have policies in place but I was expecting a little bit more flexibility from your company especially considering you are a personal development company.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  09/26/2022

  Please see attached response.

*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. ↩