ComplaintsforBNI New Hampshire

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  For background, I joined a local BNI group in my area as an attempt to generate new business for my interior design company that was not doing well this year. I haven't received any new clients all year. This was a last ditch effort to make those connections. I joined a group that was newly forming, which meant that the chapter hadn't chartered yet. When I joined, I was told the time commitment was 1.5 hrs a week to attend a weekly meeting on Wednesday mornings. That felt like a lot but I decided it was worth it for my business. Below is a detailed timeline, but in short, I joined a few meetings, each week we were told we were getting closer to chartering, but that until that happens this isn't really an official chapter. Even though I had to pay to join...before we even chartered, I was told my membership did not officially begin until the day our group charters and becomes official. That all the weeks leading up to that were bonus weeks. After about a month, I found out on a call that there are a lot of additional requirements/responsibilities for those who are in the group, including weekly one-to-one meetings for an hour each, plus paperwork that needs to be filled out, we had to also attend other events and get credits each month. It turned out we were closer to 3-5 hrs a week commitment vs. 1.5. I was gutted, as I cannot commit that much time to the group. I was so upset that I found out so late and after they received my money...when I asked to leave the group and get a refund as they haven't chartered yet, I was told it was against company policy, even though I explained that money is really important to me. Timeline 6/28/2023 - attended first meeting at guest 7/10/2023 - i was told i had to pay even though we were still short of chartering 7/26/2023 - i found out about the additional requirements and 7/27/2023 received first email with the documents included 8/15/2023 - i requested to leave the group and f/u on 8/16, 8/17 and 8/25

  Business response

  08/29/2023

  To Whomever it may concern,

  We have received the complaint you shared and find it submitted in bad faith.

  1. We have already stated to this past member that we would be refunding the Membership Dues part of her membership fee. This does not include the application fee, but is the entire membership amount.

  2. We are doing this despite our agreement on our signed application that clearly states there are no refunds of any kind.

  3. This chapter had just been cleared to charter, and when the email went out to every member this member THEN decided to drop out. So to state it wasn't happening is a lie, and a cover up of what really took place. 

  4. We have signed agreements with the member stating what all expectations are. All other members in the chapter clearly understand, and participate. To state that they were not shared would be to state that all other members of the chapter, and organization, have been lied to. We would gladly include their testimony to contrary if needed. We will also pursue cases of slander if lies continue.

  We have empathy that this individual is struggling in their business (self admitted in the complaint) and tried to use a system that requires time as a "last ditch effort". We feel bad for the other members who are now held back from this members abrupt decision to quit, and subsequent demand for an unwarranted refund. We have stated we are refunding the membership fee despite all legal rights not to because of her clear desperate situation.

  Customer response

  09/07/2023

  
  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.

  I would like to note, however, that the group was NOT chartered at the time I requested to leave the group and requested a refund. I have many emails that they have failed to remove me from showing that.

  I also was never informed I would be receiving a refund.

  Also, the requirements were never clearly explained. I went back and reviewed all material I received and could not find a record of anything. I also had a conversation with several members that were also confused and concerned about the commitment.

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

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