ComplaintsforSchwartz Driving School

• Initial Complaint

  05/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My complaint is similar to all the other complaints on here. They do not hire enough driving instructors for the number of students they sign up. We have tried to get my son put on the schedule since March and the only slots available were 7-9 am which would have caused him to miss his morning classes at school. It is now summer and he needs his license for his summer job. The earliest he can get in at all, as of right now, is June 20th and there are only 2 slots available. The next slots available are June 27th. That is another full month away. He needs 4 appointments to get his license. Furthermore, he did not miss any in-class instruction yet someone at the school marked him absent. Is he going to have to take another in-class because of their error? This company seems to have a monopoly in our area. All of their online reviews are terrible yet there don't seem to be any other options. Perhaps our Ohio State Attorney General needs to be made aware of this company.

  Business response

  05/28/2024

  The students classes are completed. We do self scheduling and he can go in and schedule his drives. We have had a lot of students that signed up in March and have completed both drives and classes. If the mom has an issue with scheduling she can feel free to email me or call and ask for me and I will be glad to help her. Thanks *****

• Initial Complaint

  12/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In September of 2023 I went on line and scheduled my grandson **** ********* up for the 8hr. Driving school. I should have read the reviews first but I didn't .**** was constantly trying to schedule driving and called Schwartz to complain, was told they were trying to get instructors. He got his 1st driving end of ,, November. He then started tying to schedule more driving but schedule was full thru January. This was so frustrating that he found another school that has him scheduled to be finished by January 25th. Again if I had read reviews first I would not have gone with Schwartz. The only answer they give is that they have 6 months. What they have is too many students and to few instructors, and saying the schedule is first come first serve. That means someone who signs up in October could get on line faster than someone who signed up in September if it's 1st come first serve. Why can't Schwartz let student schedule all 4 classes when they initial join . No because they don't hire enough instructors and expect students to just keep checking schedule and hopefully they will luck out and find one. I lost 495 dollars and got nothing. My grandson got signed up with better school the middle of December and will be done by end of January. Im requesting a full refund. And hopefully Schwartz will stop over scheduling.

  Business response

  01/03/2024

  We have processed the refund to the credit card the student made the payment with, if you have any questions call us ###-###-####. Thank you, 

  *****

  Best Regards, 

  Customer Service Center 

  Schwartz Driving School 

   

  Westerville ###-###-#### 

  Customer response

  01/04/2024

  I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My complaint is the same as everyone else’s. My daughter completed her in class in July. We called and was told that we would be able to schedule for November and it should be open around the 3 or 4th week of October. Both my daughter have checked it everyday and it showed the schedule was closed. I logged in today at 2:40 and no slots were open, came home from work 2 hours later and the calender was open and COMPLETELY FULL!!! Now we are pushing in to December and my daughter temps expire in January. I have called several times and get the same answer. The online scheduling system does not work, they won’t give any refunds so I can take her somewhere else, and she has a job and a car just waiting for this.

  Business response

  10/27/2023

  The students paperwork was turned in August 8th of 2023. we have 6 months to complete the student from that date. The mother called the office and was very rude to our staff. We are on self scheduling, we will be loading more schedules today. We were going to reach out and help her schedule.

  Customer response

  10/27/2023

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 20777814
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I was very rude and I am never like that.  This company is effecting my daughter school and work.  The person I spoke with on Tuesday was rude and condescending with every word.  I understand they have many people upset, but if they can not accommodate the number of students they are signing up, then they should stop excepting and taking parents money.  My daughter is still not scheduled, it is 2 pm, there are still no appointments available and I CAN NOT sit in front of a computer to keep refreshing.  Obviously your new system is broken.  Every complaint you have received is regarding your “self scheduling”. Maybe this company can take the hint and fix the broken system before tell there customers and FULLY paid clients that they are being rude. And I will reread the “fine print” regarding the 6 months to complete.  I am so sadden by seeing this decline in this company.  This was our community drivers Ed even when I was a teen, my whole family has been to this location.  I want my daughter scheduled for her drives or I want a partial refund.  That is the only way this will be resolved 
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *****

  Business response

  10/30/2023

  From: Schwartz Drive Customer Service <*************************>
  Date: Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 3:35 PM
  Subject: Re: You have a new message from the BBB of Central Ohio complaint #20777814.
  To: Better Business Bureau <*************************************>
  
  
  The mother talked to our higher up and is scheduled for the driving. 
  Thank you!
  
  
  Best Regards, 
  
  Customer Service Center 
  
  Schwartz Driving School 
  
   
  
  Westerville ###-###-#### 
  
  ************************* 
  

  Customer response

  10/30/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
  Regards,
  
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  09/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  * Contracted and paid in full for services June 5th. * Contact July 31st to try to schedule in-cars * Advised, in-cars wait listed and to call back for scheduling at the beginning of September * Call 1st week of September advised unable to do any scheduling transitioning to online platform (email received stated will be available September 18) * Login September 18th to check for scheduling - nothing showing available (check couple of days in a row) * Send email September 20th in attempts to get schedule and still not showing availability * Response on September 21st, no calendar out yet for October and to call them, in all calls placed always had to leave a voicemail and await return call so responded to email advising no availability to contact them by phone during work day and asked for availability of other locations (even though this would be difficult to navigate with schedules, just trying to get this done with this company) - no response to provide availability of other locations just mentions different location * September 24th - receive email that they have transitioned location to be under different management. The login to the account was changed, in class completion not registering blocking ability to schedule online, balance showing as owed again when already paid for services, and the calendar that had schedule is 100% booked up in less than 2 hours of receiving this email notification * Immediately send another email covering all of this and requesting proof of In Class completion and refund so that we may seek services elsewhere that they are neglecting to provide * Response I received is that they have 6 months to provide services in the contract and that they do not issue refunds and to schedule through their self-service portal (blocked from being able to book in cars and even if was not, nothing available reaching 5 months based on calendar already being booked). Still no path forward.

  Business response

  10/03/2023

  
  This student has been completed since last year, they were certified on 7-1-22. 
  Thank you!
  
  
  Best Regards, 
  
  Customer Service Center
  Schwartz Driving School
  Westerville (614) 882-4235
  [email protected]

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid $410 in 10/2022 for my daughter ***** to receive 6 in-car driving lessons. Schwartz Driving School said they would be unable to schedule her for driving lessons until Jan. or Feb., so I said that would work with my schedule, which gets very busy from Mar. to June. I received no phone call in Jan. or Feb. to schedule anything. When I called SDS to ask when ***** would be scheduled, the customer service representative, *****, asked when I had paid for the lessons, looked up *****'s file, and said, "Oh, Lord." She said they had forgotten to schedule her. I said this was of great concern, because my schedule did not allow me anymore to drive the two hours roundtrip to the driving school, except maybe during my daughter's spring break of Apr. 3–8. ***** said it was an unusual request to have all the lessons in one week, but they would call me in March, as soon as the driving schedule for April was up, and make me a priority. I received no phone call. I called SDS back. ***** said it wasn't SDS's fault that I hadn't been scheduled, because they had called but there was no answer. I have phone records that showed no call and asked on what day that phone call had been made. ***** said she wouldn't tell me. But she would now schedule *****'s driving lessons for later in April, after the break. As soon as we had scheduled, I heard from another parent that SDS's instruction was terrible, so I called to request a refund. ***** said no refund after lessons had been scheduled. When I took ***** to her first lesson on 4/20/2023, I got a phone call after 15 minutes asking me to pick her up; ***** was too anxious and was an unsafe driver. The instructor said I needed to cancel the remaining lessons. I asked SDS again for a refund. The contract says, "No refunds will be given when SDS is willing and able to complete all training listed above within six months of the date of the first lesson." Despite *****'s anxiety, we are willing, but SDS is not. ***** still says no refund.

  Business response

  04/26/2023

  It is 4-2Hour sessions. We don't call the students to schedule they call us. When they called we scheduled all four of the students drives. The student showed up for the first lesson and has very high anxiety. We were only able to take the student for 15 minutes and had to stop the lesson. The student does not want to drive. We explained to the parent that the student needed some time and practice for us to take them on the road or we could put them in a parking lot and work with them. It is better if the parent works with them in the parking lot first and then we take them, The parent canceled the remaining drives and stated she would reschedule them at a later date. We have complied with our part. Just waiting for parent to work with student and reschedule the drives they canceled.

  ***** *****

  *****@schwartzdrive.com

  Customer response

  04/27/2023

  SDS's response is factually untrue.

  1. Although SDS said that they did not normally call parents to schedule the rides, they had told me twice that they would be calling me: once, when I asked for clarification about signing up for lessons, and they said they would be calling me later in 2022 to schedule the lessons for December or, at the latest, February (there's also an attached email in which they said they would be putting ***** on a waitlist and would be scheduling for December); twice, when ***** had said in March they would be making an exception and calling me to schedule the rides "as soon as I [*****] get the drivers' schedule." I would never have paid for my daughter to attend driving school if she had to have the rides scheduled during my busy season, after February.

  2. The SDS driving instructor told me to cancel the remaining drives.

  3. I explained to the driver that my student had had many hours of practice time with me. This is not a matter of more practice prior to the drives.

  4. I did not say I would reschedule the lessons at a later date. In fact, I told ***** on the phone that my student's anxiety was not going to improve, because my student's anxiety is about the roads themselves around Westerville. I cannot drive two hours roundtrip for my student to practice on the roads around Westerville. This is not a matter of the parent needing to reschedule. ***** says that she will not have her instructors give lessons when the student is this anxious; therefore SDS is unwilling to give the lessons.

  Please submit a refund. 1. I would not have signed up for the lessons in the first place if they were going to be scheduled during a time I could not manage. 2. SDS is unwilling to give the lessons. 

  What SDS is currently choosing is that they will spend administrative time continuing to deal with this issue and that I will be contacting an attorney and/or spreading the news far and wide about their customer service. I am a single mother with very little discretionary income who will work hard to get my daughter her driving lessons on roads around Mount Vernon, if that's what it takes now for her to get her license. SDS has continually violated their verbal promises and now their contract in their unwillingness to give lessons. It makes much more sense for SDS to give me the refund than to keep dragging this on.

  Regards,
  ******* ******

  Business response

  04/27/2023

  Schwartz is willing and able to reschedule the students drives. She can call and we will get her scheduled. 614-882-4235 ask for ***** and I will make sure she gets scheduled. We are not willing to give her a refund and are willing to schedule her. Thanks

  ***** *****

  Customer response

  04/29/2023

  Schwartz says they will continue to cancel each lesson in which they have decided my daughter is too anxious to drive. My daughter says she will always be anxious on the roads around Westerville.

  Is it Schwartz's plan to keep rescheduling my daughter every few weeks and then to cancel the lesson until I've used up all four of my lessons? That is cruel to my daughter and a waste of everyone's time.

  Would Schwartz accept a letter from my daughter's therapist stating that my daughter is likely to continue to be anxious on the roads around Westerville? It makes no sense for Schwartz to keep insisting that they're willing to give the lesson but never actually give the lesson. Legally, that behavior is not tenable.

  Furthermore, Schwartz misrepresented their product by stating that my daughter would be scheduled in December. I would never have registered for these lessons if Schwartz was unable to schedule my daughter before my busy season, which began in March.

  Please send a refund immediately. I am willing to pay for the one lesson that we needed to cancel.

  Regards,
  
  ******* ******

  Business response

  05/01/2023

  We are not refunding your money. We have went over and above to accommodate you and are willing and able to schedule your daughters drives. We can not be responsible if your daughter choses not to drive. Call ###-###-#### to schedule. Thanks *****

• Initial Complaint

  04/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We signed our daughter up for the in car driving only through Schwartz Driving School in Westerville, Ohio. We paid the $410 and were told she would get on the schedule in April. They said they would call and never did. We keep calling and they keep giving us the run around. The next time we called and got ahold of someone they said she would be put on the schedule in May, and that we would get a phone call with the dates and times. We never got a phone call so we called again. This time they said she would be put on the schedule in June and we still have not received a phone call. They keep pushing the dates back and we paid for the driving school and by now would expect for her to be on the schedule. They have our $410 but are not scheduling our daughter for her in cars. The lady who handles the scheduling is very rude when we call too. We’ve called multiple times. Probably 10 or more times and have gotten no answers. We just want our daughter to be put on the schedule for her in cars, especially since we have paid them $410 and they aren’t doing what they are supposed to be doing. They seem to be extremely unorganized and have no idea what they are are doing.

  Business response

  04/26/2023

  The student signed up 4/3/2023. It states on our website it is 8-12 weeks out from the time we get all the paperwork for completion of their classroom and their permit information. We received this students paperwork on 4/4/2023. She was put on the wait list to be scheduled end of May, beginning of June. Parent was informed to call us around the middle of May to see where the student is on the schedule.

• Initial Complaint

  03/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  January 6th I called Schwartz about scheduling in cars for my daughter. I was told they were scheduling for February but they wouldn't schedule until I paid. I went in and paid and called back and was then told I had to send her temps, certificate of completion and the signed contract which I did. When I called back the next day I was told the same things and I told them I did pay and send everything so when they came back they said they weren't scheduling until March to call back in February. I started calling February 1st and they wouldn't call back for days and kept telling me they didn't have the drivers schedule to be able to schedule. I continually kept calling with no return calls. Finally getting a return call I spoke with ***** on 3/2/23 and she told me again they were waiting on a drivers schedule and they would schedule her in April. I said absolutely not then they could refund me and she said they don't give refunds but she would call me back and I said WHEN?? she stated maybe tomorrow or Monday so I asked her name and said I expect to hear from you by Monday and her reply well Tuesday probably. It's now Wednesday and of course no call. I'm beyond angry with this company and hope anyone reading this DOES NOT use this place!! I've sent so many emails with only the...have you been helped? I reply no and explain and yet no reply from anyone!

  Business response

  09/25/2024

  While I cannot supply all of the communication details for this case, I can confirm that we completed all of the services within the terms of the agreement. The student drove the required four times for a total of eight hours beginning on 3/9 and ending on 3/14. They were issued the required state certificate on 3/17/23.
  The signed agreement allows up to six months to complete the program. We are improving our communications to customers moving forward to help customers awareness of the agreement. This particular student may not have been satisfied with the length of time for their own needs and had different expectations. 
  Thank you,
  *** *******
  Schwartz Driving School
  ===
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  01/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Schwartz was awesome for my first 2 boys meeting the requirements for their license test. Unfortunately post pandemic Schwartz first delayed the in car classes due to staffing and now since completing his in cars it’s been almost 2 weeks and still no certificate of completion. They communicate 3 days. We have left voicemail after voicemail to try to resolve. Because of this delay he will be unable to take the driving test portion till February 8th. We know people are busy, a quick email or phone call could have eliminated this! Lack of communication kills many things including businesses!

  Business response

  09/25/2024

  The certificate in question was issued on 1/18/2023. We believe that they did receive the certificate in time and possibly completed the test on Feb 8 as they had hoped.
  While we did supply the requested certificate in a timely manner, we apologize for the lack of communications at that time and are striving to improve this moving forward.
  Thank you,
  *** *******
  Schwartz Driving School

• Initial Complaint

  11/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Son signed up for a teen driving package (online and incar). Son completed the online course on 8/21/2022 and we have been trying to schedule the in car service ever sinces. Several of back and forth and missed calls over the months and the answers we had was they hadn't released the in car schedules and they would called us back when schedules were ready. Today 11/14, we called again and they claimed they had try to called 10/7 and 10/17 but my email and phone records showed that 1 I was the one who called and both times they had said no schedules yet. We demanded refunds but they refused and stated that they clearly put in the contract that no refund was to be given. This is a fraud if they cannot fulfill the services stated in the contract, then they should refund the money to us. The intention to deceive is quite clear. I see that they have been several reports and complaints.

  Business response

  11/15/2022

  We called to schedule the student on 10/7 and 10/17 and left messages. We received a call back on 11/14 and at that time we scheduled the students drives. Student was scheduled for 12/19@5pm/12/26@5pm and 12/28@5pm. We offered him his fourth drive but they stated that they couldn't take it so we explained to them that unless we get a cancelation that it would be the beginning of January for his last lesson. Our contact that they signed clearly states that we do not do refunds and that we have 6 months from the time they finish their classroom lessons to complete their drives. We are within that time. Thank You

  Customer response

  12/06/2022

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 18401330
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  

  The business called 12/6/2022 and said that they would try to get my son in earlier this week (no gurantee as they still need to talk to the driving instructor). I let them know that my son was very busy with school and sports and we wouldn't pull him out of school for the driving sessions. Since these schedules were book a month ago  (5 pms 12/19, 12/26, 12/28 - per their response) we would like to keep the scheduels . They told us the stated time slots were no longer available without stating the reasons. If we cannot find time this week or next weeks (no weekends), we would have to wiat for January. They still refused to issue the refunds citing that they were still willing and able to render the lessons within the 6 months contract.

  Now the business is using the reason that my son is the one who is unavailable he's busy with sport practices this week, and next week with exams. This seems like a fraudulent tactic. So the business can cancel anytime, on top of the their already limited availabilty. 

   

  Regards,
  
  *********** ******

  Business response

  12/06/2022

  This parent just called us yesterday and stated she doesn't want her son to go until January. I have went over and above for this parent. We even offered this week and next week and he would be done. We also have offered to pick him up and we do not do that for any students. I am not sure what she wants??

  Customer response

  12/06/2022

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

   

  Please do not twist my word arond. I never said I couldn't wait for January (the original schedule would have 1 in January). I called back after the business left a message saying that an a instructor that was ready to take my son out for 4 lessons this week (file attached). So I called back and said we couldn't squeeze in more activities this week because of my son's school and sports schedules. Yes, they did offer to pick him up from home but did not gurantee anything, as they still had to go back to talk to the instructor. Please note that I asked if they could do late lessons and weekends and they said no.

  I then said I would prefer keeping the original bookings (12/19@5pm/12/26@5pm and 12/28@5pm - as stated in their initial response). They said no, those appointments were no longer available. Please note that it took us almost 4 months to book this, and they just cancelled out of the blue. Now we would need to adjust our schedules to fit theirs? That's absurd. I told them that we couldn't do that and they said if we couldn't then we would need to wait until January 2023.

   

  What I want is to put in record how horrible is their business practice. Hopefully to warn others. They make it extremely hard to schedule and refuse to give refuse refunds. 

  
  Regards,
  
  *********** ******

  Business response

  12/20/2022

  We went over and above to schedule this student. We have left several messages and have offered several dates and times to accommodate this parent. She left a message today stating that she does not want to schedule. We will not be giving a refund. We did our part.

  Customer response

  12/20/2022

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 18401330
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********** ******

   

  The main points are:

  1. It was extremely hard to schedule.

  2. It took almost 4 months from the date we first called to scheduled 3 sessions in December (12/19, 12/26, and 12/28) Plus, 1 promised session in January. All scheduled sessions were abruptly cancelled by the BUSINESS on 12/6.

  3. Now they tried to get him in (Spring break 2023?!?), because I reported this to BBB and also consumer protection agency. The claims that they did their part is too little too late. Please keep the money! We already went and finished the sessions somewhere else. 

• Initial Complaint

  10/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchased the 3 day adult in car service on 5/12/22. Had many issues getting my in cars scheduled and called many times trying to figure out. They initially told me the scheduling would be done through a link in my email. After that got me no where, I called again they told me my instructor would call me. I called them a few more times and they said the same thing instructor would call me but I received no calls. They then gave me the instructors number and told me to text him my self about scheduling my lessons. I never got any response and Thats when I asked for a refund because months have passed and I need to start driving. After asking for refund they made the instructor call me to schedule first lesson. It is now 10/13/22 and I still have yet to schedule my last lesson! I don’t like to complain I don’t really have time to do so I work 50+ a week. I’m only filing this complaint to warn others. They advertise a very flexible schedule for adults due to adults life styles having work, kids, school and etc. however they only offer lessons from 10-4 mon-fri and expect you to schedule lessons the day of. They have been very poor at communicating and have canceled two of my scheduled lessons. They are very disorganized and informally schedule lessons. First lesson I scheduled was over the phone with what I believe was my instructors personal phone number. I don’t talk to the company at all to schedule lessons if I try to they tell me to text my instructor. I really believed this may have been a scam for a while. I urge anyone to not use this company for driving lessons it’s basically a scam. Falsely advertised and disorganized. I still wish I could get a refund I’m very disappointed with my experience with this company.

  Business response

  10/20/2022

  This student has taken all her drives.

*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. ↩