ComplaintsforAbeka

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid for one semester of independent study video lessons with Abeka. They have blocked me from completing the videos. They said I only had 6 months to complete them. This was independent study I was not aware he had to finish in 6 months or we would have complete the videos first. I asked them to allow me to finish the videos I purchased and they refused without extra money, they refused to let me speak with a supervisor. I asked if one could call me back at a different time and they said no they do not do that. I did not receive what I paid for, they were unwilling to help so I feel that I deserve a refund.

  Business response

  03/13/2024

  Nicole,

  
  Thank you for reaching out for a resolution for your issue with Abeka Academy. In reviewing your order, I was able to determine that you placed this order via Abeka.com. In the product description for the one-semester independent study enrollment, we state that the purchase includes “6 months to complete 85 lessons for a semester.” This period begins for all Abeka Academy students on the selected beginning date during our enrollment process. Beyond this description, we offer a digital record of your student's begin and end dates via the “My Students” section on the Parent Dashboard that is accessible throughout your child’s enrollment period and remains for historical record after further grades are purchased. Because of the information that was accessible and provided to you, we are unable to honor your request for a refund for this enrollment purchase.
  I am happy to answer any further questions that you may have.

  
  Sincerely,

  Jared ******

• Initial Complaint

  01/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I bought a curriculum for prek4 from Abeka which had video streaming. I bought them on May 23 and got an email that my order was received on 5/28/23. After that I had to call and email a few times because I didn’t get them within the advised time period. Then I had to exchange material. I called and they sent me a label to send the material back to receive the new one. This started at the beginning of July and didn’t get them until September. They put my start date around September 7 which I got the new material a week later after the start date. After all of this I had problems with the video streaming of the program. It would always say unable to connect contact Abeka’s customer support. I contacted them numerous times. They never fixed the problem so the last resolution I got by one of the agents was that “customers with MAC computers would always have that issue and that maybe it was better for me to purchase the dvds. Also, I was told I had a year to use them from the moment I got them delivered and that I just had to call them” well to my surprise I got them delivered on January 13th that was a week after purchased. However, when I called them they told me I had only until October 2, 2024 to have them shipped back to them because they could only change the date a few more days from the start day I had which was on September. So, now I had to pay for a program that their videos didn’t work, lost all these months which I couldn’t use the program to homeschool my child. Had to purchase dvds that now I can’t even use for the full year from when I got them. No one in their customer support seems knowledgeable. They tell you different things and then the next agent has no idea about the information that was previously given to me.

• Initial Complaint

  12/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I am in a position to get reimbursed by the state that I live in for my homeschooled students tuition costs. I wanted to be able to take advatage of that, so I reached out to Abeka to see if they could provide me with monthly statements that prove that my student is enrolled in Abeka each month and that I am paying for the student to be in school each month. I did not think this would be an issue - however, since I had paid the balance in full ahead of time on my credit card - they said they could not issue me monthly statements, but the best they could do would be to provide a receipt. My state will not accept that, (they will accept monthly statements though) so I am being penalized for paying ahead of time (according to Abeka) because they cannot provide me with monthly balances or invoices that show what it would cost a month and that I paid the balance. Therefore, my state will not refund me any amount of money. I asked Abeka if I could get a refund then and be set up on monthly payment plan so I can take advantage of my states willingness to cover the costs of homeschooled students - but they will not issue me a refund, nor will they set me up on a montly billing plan. They already have my money - the tuition has alrady been paid - and I am failing to understand that no one at Abeka could provide me with what I am asking for so I can submit to my state. I understand that Abeka has a system - and whatever is in the system cannot be changed - and that I was asking for a special request, but the request is not crazy nor is it unheard of to ask for monthly statement, as they do offer this for people that do not pay in full at the beggining of the year. I would think that a multi million dollar company could understand that homeschooling is expensive, that homeschoolers never get breaks on anything, and that if someone is reaching out to them with a request for a great opportunity to the customer that they would be willing to provide something or help.

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I ordered from Abeka on August 3, 2023. I ordered Grade 1 Child Kit and Grade 3 Child kit. These are not cheap kits but I had always heard Abeka was the best for home schooling and this is my first year doing so and I want the best for my great grand children. When I received my order, I was going through both boxes and checking off each item I had received, There was a paper inside the box that told what all should be in there. For my Grade 1 kit I had received 2 of the health, safety and manners book and did not receive the Discovering God’s world book. I contacted Abeka customer service online chat on August 11th and they did not know how to help me. I then called the customer service phone number and they said they would have it shipped to me. I asked them if I needed to send one of the health safety and manners books back since I had received 2 and they said not to worry about it. I checked my bank account today on August 25th and I had an over draft fee from my bank and a $30 “return fee” from Abeka that was withdrawn. I do not have money that can unexpectedly be taken out. I am a widow and on very little fixed income and get paid once a month. This fee really hurt me. I do not know what this fee is about and I need for it to be deposited back into my account as soon as possible so my bills do not get messed up. $30 is a lot for me and this is something I can’t have happen. I have to pay monthly for these kits so I can give my grandchildren the best education. This company is suppose to be Christian based and from the experience so far I have had I don’t feel like this hassle is worth spending an arm and a leg for. I feel taken advantage of and like the company thinks I am made out of money. I was frustrated when I was missing a book apart of my order because this is extremely expensive but I understand accidents happen. But to have money withdrawn and disappear from my account without being told so has hurt me financially. I pray you help me figure this out.

• Initial Complaint

  08/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I ordered a book for school on August 9, 2023. I have been waiting and waiting since this for school. The order showed it would be shipped today finally. It’s STILL not shipped. Almost two weeks now. I chatted with a representative, and they were very rude. Saying it could be another week. I need this order now!

• Initial Complaint

  08/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I made a purchase in April and basically when I clicked purchase to buy I knew I was signing up for payments for my purchase for 10 months. I purchased learning materials for my son. The company started the payments and I received part of the items and was promised the rest would come that they were out of stock. They said it would be a couple weeks… but I never received the second half and now I’m being charged over and over all different payments at any time plus the payment i agreed on. Customer service says because the items were not available the ones that were not shipped aren’t part of the payment but that’s not what I signed up for. I can go to the website and it says the items are available. I was supposed to start homeschooling my son on August 1 and I still don’t have everything I need to begin and the billing problems haven’t been solved. Just this month I’ve been charged an extra $20.17 twice and then I was charged and extra $17 for something else. This has happened every month since April.. They are charging me as they ship out each individual item but I signed up for a payment plan and I can’t make this stop. Customer service says someone will call me back every time but I never get a callback and they just keep charging. I made the purchase in April and I still don’t have all of the materials I need to start school for my child. I’ve spoken to so many people from customer service when they hear my voice they just hang up on me.. I need the materials that I purchased 3 1/2 months ago. And I need this payment plan to be the only charge that I get from them every month. If they don’t have the materials that they sold me why does it say that they are available for sale right now on the Abeka website? I need a billing adjustment and I need the materials to have a resolution. I am now 10 days late starting school because of this and their website says the materials are available.

  Customer response

  08/28/2023

  Abeka has given me a $50 credit for the trouble but they still haven’t been able to resolve the problem. They still continue to bill me other charges even though I agreed to a payment plan. Also I still will not receive some of my items until the end of October. They basically didn’t do anything to help me resolve the problem. I have spoken to multiple people and they can’t correct the issue. They say they will start an inquiry and someone will call me back after 48 hours and they never get back to me and I have spent countless hours on the phone with them. I feel like this is hopeless and I will not use Abeka for my homeschool needs ever again. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Charged $116.00 to fast ship. Still do not have full order. They knew items were on back order and charged people anyways. They need to reimburse the $116

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I am amazed that I am having to write this review on this company. I have no complaints about the program or the material received. However, given the fact that everyone learns differently and especially when there are medical diagnoses involved, I was completely blindsided at this company's lack of customer service\support and "Christian" based ethnics. From the conversations on the phone to the numerous emails, I felt the shock of every encounter. As a parent seeking for the opportunity to educate your child according to his needs, it was evident that Abeka's concerns were not my son's needs. Never once did they offer an ounce of concern for my sons mental health! Instead I was meet with meaningless conversation of balance due, payment plan crap and 90 day requirements of some sort. I provided the first round of requested information "for records purposes" without giving to much information of what my son was going through. Respectfully felt it was not their business, but provided the information requested. Then, I was presented with another round of request that was completely unprofessional. I was also presented with an accusation that my son had been hospitalized to which he never had. All of this nonsense over a simple request to withdraw my son from this program so that a study could be completed and a alternative educational plan could be put in place to MEET HIS NEEDS!! Finally after an exhausting two days, 15 emails later I surrendered all and left my final words as "Please understand that this will be the last of our communication as I have other needs to be focusing on. If a refund is chosen to be given Great! If not then I am extremely disheartened at the ethnics and morals of the "Christian" based company Abeka has painted it self to be. Many Blessings R******* and Thank you for your help the past two days." The support team needs to take a step back and remember what the purpose of this company is and what it's mission statement stands for.

• Initial Complaint

  01/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I have contacted Abeka and have spent hours on multiple phone calls to Abeka. I do not know how to get this resolved so I can order my son's material for this school year. Please help me to resolve this matter. I would certainly appreciate it. In August or September of 2021 I purchased the 10th grade kit with streaming videos for my son from Christian Book Dist. Next, I ordered my daughters 5th grade with streaming through Abeka. I called Abeka and they told me that because of the pandemic the orders were being processed slowly and wouldn't be shipped out for several more days. I called back to Abeka to cancel the 5th grade kit, only to find out that now the representative is telling me that the books have shipped out. I asked how I could return the books and the rep walked me through the process. I sent the boxes back unopened to Abeka. Again I called to see if Abeka had received the return, I was told they didn't know if they were returned. I called again and was told that the books were returned but they didn't see where they credited my account. Another call and I was told that a rep would be reaching out to me within a couple of weeks regarding my return. I received no call after two weeks, so again called Abeka & asked what to do about getting my credit, this time I was advised by one of the rep to call my credit card comp and ask them for the refund because she had no idea when anyone would reach out to me because of the pandemic. After receiving the credit from the credit card, a few weeks later Abeka placed a credit. The next thing I know, my son's Abeka streaming that I purchased through Christian Book Dist was cancelled. After several calls last year, finally a rep has admitted that yes my son's account was cancelled because of the extra credit on the account. I spoke with Caleb a couple of times and he stated that he would get with his manager and they would credit my account for ******** streaming since it was cancelled and he had to teach himself. He was to get back with me and let me know the credit and he said Abeka would remove any late fees and interest. I have wanted to purchase my son's school material for 11th grade but was told that until this situation was resolved that I would not be allowed to order material. This is quite frustrating since we are already in January and no materials for son yet.

• Initial Complaint

  01/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In April 2021 I signed up my grandaughter to Abeka Academy online. I was given temporary authorization by my daughter and sent this information via email to Abeka. In July 2021 I contacted Abeka Academy and Informed them my grandaughter was going back home and transferred account responsibility to my daughter. They removed my contact information and was given her name, address, and phone number and she was made the sole responsible party. She became delinquent on a debt of $381. The only notice I received came from a collections agency on Dec 18, 2022. I immediately called Abeka and no one was available so I sent an email and a letter. They did not respond. When I called Abeka again on Jan 5, 2023 my first contact Amber acknowledged 3 payments were not made, however she quoted back all of my daughter's contact information. I told her that's where the mistake occurred. I have attached a transcript of our conversation. After I was transferred to Yvonne she deflected and refused to acknowledge their mistake. She told me, "you signed the enrollment agreement." I asked, "Why didn't you have my daughter complete another enrollment agreement? Her response, "That's not how we do things." I asked Yvonne, "You shipped books to my house, why didn't you send me a notice to Texas?!" Because for a measly $381 they decided to pull the information off the enrollment agreement and report me to collections instead of notifying me of the unpaid account because they knew I was no longer the responsible party. I am EXTREMELY disappointed with how they handled a measly $381. They were willing to damage my credit rating because of it. Where's not talking thousands of dollars. I see they have an "F" rating with the BBB and I can understand why. This is a horrible representation of a Christian faith. Abeka record their calls for "quality assurance." All they had to do is check the phone record under my number for July 2021 and see what occurred and rectify this situation.

  Business response

  01/20/2023

  See the attached document.

  Customer response

  01/20/2023

   
  Complaint: 18694943
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I'm requesting a copy of every deliquent letter and email sent; the name and addresses and email address. Let's see how low will you stoop to continue this lie that you sent me communication, in Texas, about the deliquent account. I'm not denying I signed up Trinity. I have already stated that. I'm reaffirming your practices regarding updating client records and properly notifying them before sending them to collections is dishonest and inexcusable. 
  
  Sincerely,
  ****** *******

  Business response

  01/31/2023

  There is nothing more we can do.

*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. ↩