I want to warn potential customers that I regret ever getting mixed up with this company. They did deliver in September the products I ordered in July, but I honestly haven't used any of the educational materials. My kids have looked at them once and that was six months ago. I believed at first and even more so now, that these materials are extremely over-priced and not the educational miracle for various home-study/homework struggles that they are portrayed as being.
I was suckered into (again, my own fault for being a soft-sell in the presence of the nice young woman I felt nothing but sympathy for) ordering another reference book right after the first order was delivered and then I returned it as quickly as possible because I knew we wouldn't use it. I used the company's pre-paid return box (which took a long long time in coming) and mailed it back the day after I got the box. About six weeks later, I got a mailed notice from the company saying that I would be charged for this book if I didn't send it back! I ignored that mailing, waiting to see what would happen. Fortunately, I haven't been charged (that I can see).
Now, in April, I notice a 19.95 charge on my bank statement. There are also two previous charges (so about $60 total) credited to Southwestern in February and March. My first thought is, great, I'm paying for a book I returned months ago and have no receipt for, nor the post office record that I mailed it back.
In calling the company service phone #, I'm told that this fee is for online tutoring, which they say I indicated that I wanted. Well, we definitely DON'T want a recurring charge for something we won't use. I flat out asked that this be discontinued. After holding a minute, I was told the service and monthly charge would be stopped. Hope so. Unfortunately, I was so surprised at this charge, that I didn't ask for a refund of my money. Perhaps I will call them back about that—after all, they should be able to see that I've never used that service.
Meantime, I cannot recall seeing anything on paper about a 19.95 monthly subscription to online tutoring, either during the initial sales pitch or the follow-up visit. I am suspicious now about the company and the contracted salesperson.
My advice to everyone is to politely refuse any and all sales pitches because essentially your money is going first to company executives and secondly to young college students who, though assuredly have need of money, I am uncomfortable about the way they're earning it with this job. I suppose the book publishers are getting their share too. However, if your budget is as limited as ours, you'd be better off getting educational reference materials free at your public library and making an annual donation to need-based college scholarships in your area.
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