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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
08/22/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I was taking a Paralegal course through Blackstone and received several books that I paid for coming apart as I began to turn a page they begin to come out at the seams. As I further examined the volumes in question the books have buckling in them as you flip the book open.Due to my current circumstance of being incarcerated all my belongings have to remain intact and cant be altered or coming apart in anyway. I reached out to Blackstone and explained to them the circumstances that the books arrived fine because they suggested it happen during shipping I explained that wasn't the case and soon as I began to turn pages upon reading it the pages were falling out at the seems I also sent pictures of what was happening to them and they told me they hadn't had any complaints regarding this thus far and because of it they didn't take me serious. They offered to resend me the volumes at a discounted price when I already paid for the books.Business response
09/08/2022
Hello,
We appreciate the feedback and comments from this student, and we are happy to clarify.
In May of 2022, we received a letter from the student claiming that his books fell apart. We wrote a letter back to him explaining that the books were likely damaged in transit to the student. Also, Blackstone has been notified that sometimes the mail room at a facility incurs damages on material while they process shipments and distribute them to the inmate population.
However, in our response in this letter in May 2022 to the student, we also wrote that despite the books being damaged in transit to the student, we would process a one time courtesy reship of all three books at no cost to the student. This was despite our normal reship fee costs, which we make the student aware of the potential of a reshipment fee on material on various Blackstone documents that the student receives.
In July of 2022, we received another letter from the student saying that his materials were damaged. Due to Blackstone's full transparency to the student in our letter from May of 2022 explaining that the previous reshipment of materials was a one time courtesy to the student while our office incurred the costs of producing the material and mailing it out again, we wrote back to the student in this July 2022 letter explaining that we could mail out the reshipment of the damaged books from transit for a nominal reshipment fee.
As another point of clarification, the student is correct that he paid for the shipment of his books. And our office fulfilled this with the original shipment of this material. However, one of Blackstone's policy's is that any reshipment's beyond the original shipment is a cost that the student is to incur.
It should be noted that Blackstone takes serious measures to ensure that our material leaves our office in exceptional condition. This is done in order to provide a high standard of student services, support, and academic materials.
Additionally, another note on this account is that they have already completed the course successfully with the material that he has received so far, and we are proud to say that he is a Blackstone graduate!
If there is anything else we can do to help out, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Initial Complaint
07/05/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Order Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I am paying for a program for paralegal diploma, they placed me in the wrong program. Now at the end of payments, I tried to pay them the 153.00 today, July 5th. 2022. And was giving the run around and harassed by multiple members of thier school staff. I was told that my schooling was canceled and that I would have to pay them approximately 450.00 more. I was also told that I could not be giving the rest of my materials unless I complete a waiver form. I tried to pay them for the rest of my materials and they would not allow me to. Thus far, I've Pais 767.00 in cash to them. I want my money back or the rest of my schooling materials. The contract is binding. 826.00 is the total price for my schooling I agreed to.Business response
07/12/2022
Hello,
Blackstone is happy to respond to this complaint, and to provide clarification.
Since Blackstone had already mailed out the remaining books in the program prior to this complaint, we decided to reach out to the student for clarification. In speaking to the student, it appears there was a misunderstanding. He is satisfied with his Blackstone program since he now has all of his books to complete the course, and is looking forward to completing his studies.
If there is anything else that we can do to assist, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Initial Complaint
03/25/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Customer Service Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I paid $160 for paralegal course that I asked for a refund for. Every time I ask for a refund I'm bombarded with questions as to what they can do for me to stay or reason why I want a refund, etc. I asked for whatever form I needed to fill out and/or whatever other recourse I may have to be refunded my payment only to not have my initial request honored. If I can't ask for a refund or not have my requested addressed fairly I think I need to warn others of how easy it is to have your money taken and also how impossible it is to receive a refund.Business response
04/07/2022
Hello,
We are happy to respond and clarify this situation.
When Blackstone receives a cancellation request, a part of the cancellation process is the best practice of seeing what can be done help keep a student enrolled. The vast majority of students appreciate us responding this way, seeing what can be done from our end to provide further student services and support.
In this particular situation, after our last email asking what we could to to help keep the student enrolled, we did not hear back from the person listed on the account. That being said, the cancellation was processed, and a refund will be issued.
If there is anything else that can be done to better assist, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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Customer Complaints Summary
8 total complaints in the last 3 years.
1 complaints closed in the last 12 months.