5/1/08 I attended the "One Touch Marketing" class offered by the Coaching Institute - a class taken for realtor MCE credit. Classes by TREC are intended for education purposes... This was a BAIT AND SWITCH offering! Class location was the La Quinta Hotel in Katy, Texas.
At the end of the program, the presenter gave a "sales presentation" asking for a commitment to sign up for the Coaching Institute program. The normal price was $ 3995, but if we signed up that day we could get the program for $2995, no exceptions. I told Mary Grace I was not interested and would need to talk with my husband before I made any commitment. She said, "Just sign the paperwork and leave it with me and you can call me". I signed the paperwork and asked that she not process any paperwork without my approval.
Later that evening my husband called Mary Grace to discuss the program and she sold him on the program and he gave approval to run the charge. The next day, 5/2/08 my husband and I discussed the program again and we decided the program was too costly after comparing it to other programs.
On 5/3/08, I called the Coaching Institute which was closed and left a message with my name and information stating I was canceling the program and followed my call immediately with a letter of cancelation sent via fax. I have all the supporting documents sent by fax to the Coaching Institute and proof it was received on 5/3/08.
On the morning of Monday 5/5/08, I called the Coaching Institute to confirm the cancellation of the program and the receipt of my fax. I spoke with J in customer service and he acknowledged that my fax was received and he said, "I will see what I can do". Never received a call back. Called customer service again and customer service said, "sorry you are not getting your money back". According to Texas Laws on signed contracts, the state provides a 72 hours "cooling off" period for the sole purpose of changing your mind on the purchase of goods or services. No services have been received nor do I plan to participate in the Coaching Program. I will pursue the refund of the $2995 charge to the fullest.
In addition to this formal complaint, a complaint will be filed with the Texas Real Estate Commission requesting that the ONE TOUCH MARKETING MCE class be removed from acceptable MCE hours, due to the fact this class is being offered only to hook in the attendee vs. The sole purpose of MCE is to educate and update the agent. It feels like a total bait and switch offering. I did receive the 3 MCE credit, but would gladly withdraw those hours as the program offered no benefit.
Additionally, a complaint will be filed with the Utah Attorney General's office, (801-366-0260) as the Coaching Institute maintains its home office in Utah. A complaint will also be filed with the Federal Trade Commission, (877-382-4357) as the Coaching Institute does business in states throughout the USA.
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