What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia
In late March I signed up my daughter (a rising 11th grader) for a high school summer program (over the internet) in London from an outfit located in Chicago, IL. We promptly paid our deposit and fees and she was "accepted." We were supposed to get further information in late April, and when nothing showed up I figured they were just running a little behind.
In mid May, the director calls and leaves a message stating that the age group for the London program is younger HS kids, and would my daughter want to switch to the Barcelona program that has kids more her age? We left a message back with him saying no, she really wants to be in London and doesn't mind younger kids at all. He calls back and starts the hard sell for the Barcelona program, saying the other kids in the program are rising 10th graders, and the 1 older student in the program "happily" switched to the Barcelona program. He also said that he's seen this before and it doesn't work out well and basically pushing us to switch her. Even though we assured him she doesn't mind younger kids and really wants to go to London, he was persistent and started saying how most parents would be "grateful" that he was so concerned about the program for our child, etc. We said we'd think about it. I called him back and talked again with him, again the hard sell for Barcelona, and now the group of rising 10th graders were now rising NINTH graders (i.e. just completed 8th grade)--I said I didn't realize his program was even available for younger kids since the website clearly says HS programs and he said, well he doesn't *advertise* that but he does take younger kids...when I pressed him further he said the group changes due to kids dropping out unable to pay the tuition, etc. and now the TWO other older kids in the London program were happy to transfer to Barcelona, etc. The story kept changing, and he all but said there was no program for our daughter but he would not say the program was cancelled, which is what it seemed like what was going on. He said he would rather refund our money than take a risk that our daughter would be unhappy in the London program, and I agreed, saying we expected a FULL refund and when would that be mailed out? He said June 1 but based on the phone conversation (and the feeling of bait-and-switch) and his general demeanor on the phone, I am almost 100% certain we will have to use legal methods to recover all of our money. I haven't contacted a lawyer yet because I fear the legal expenses would outweigh the money we are trying to recover ($7100). My question is, what should my strategy be, before I have to resort to a lawyer? Can I sue him in small claims court in Virginia? Should I contact the Chicago consumer protection agency or the Illinois Attorney General? I am thinking I will send him a certified letter requesting a full refund, cc'ing one of the consumer protection agencies but am pretty certain that will not result in anything so I would like to know what I should do next.
In late March I signed up my daughter (a rising 11th grader) for a high school summer program (over the internet) in London from an outfit located in Chicago, IL. We promptly paid our deposit and fees and she was "accepted." We were supposed to get further information in late April, and when nothing showed up I figured they were just running a little behind.
In mid May, the director calls and leaves a message stating that the age group for the London program is younger HS kids, and would my daughter want to switch to the Barcelona program that has kids more her age? We left a message back with him saying no, she really wants to be in London and doesn't mind younger kids at all. He calls back and starts the hard sell for the Barcelona program, saying the other kids in the program are rising 10th graders, and the 1 older student in the program "happily" switched to the Barcelona program. He also said that he's seen this before and it doesn't work out well and basically pushing us to switch her. Even though we assured him she doesn't mind younger kids and really wants to go to London, he was persistent and started saying how most parents would be "grateful" that he was so concerned about the program for our child, etc. We said we'd think about it. I called him back and talked again with him, again the hard sell for Barcelona, and now the group of rising 10th graders were now rising NINTH graders (i.e. just completed 8th grade)--I said I didn't realize his program was even available for younger kids since the website clearly says HS programs and he said, well he doesn't *advertise* that but he does take younger kids...when I pressed him further he said the group changes due to kids dropping out unable to pay the tuition, etc. and now the TWO other older kids in the London program were happy to transfer to Barcelona, etc. The story kept changing, and he all but said there was no program for our daughter but he would not say the program was cancelled, which is what it seemed like what was going on. He said he would rather refund our money than take a risk that our daughter would be unhappy in the London program, and I agreed, saying we expected a FULL refund and when would that be mailed out? He said June 1 but based on the phone conversation (and the feeling of bait-and-switch) and his general demeanor on the phone, I am almost 100% certain we will have to use legal methods to recover all of our money. I haven't contacted a lawyer yet because I fear the legal expenses would outweigh the money we are trying to recover ($7100). My question is, what should my strategy be, before I have to resort to a lawyer? Can I sue him in small claims court in Virginia? Should I contact the Chicago consumer protection agency or the Illinois Attorney General? I am thinking I will send him a certified letter requesting a full refund, cc'ing one of the consumer protection agencies but am pretty certain that will not result in anything so I would like to know what I should do next.
, including the $95 "nonrefundable" application fee. I'm not sure what was really going on and still don't know, but don't care as I have all my money back. Thanks again! I have no doubt the certified return receipt letter triggered the "quick" response...