TutorVista.com appears to offer a useful service on a user's initial review. They answered several questions for me that helped me to help my son with his studies over the Winter Break. They charged $19.99, which I felt was fair for what was then provided; and they sent an email receipt for this. However, buried in small print near the bottom of that receipt was the declaration that my account would be automatically charged a monthly renewal fee after seven days. If I did not want to renew, I would have to contact their Customer Care site before the renewal date.
In the middle of helping my son with his homework, and in the middle of the holiday rush, I did not notice that phrase. On the morning of the seventh day, my card was charged $99.99 for renewal. I immediately contacted TutorVista.com to complain of this method of doing business, to state I had not been nor would be using their services any further, to declare that I was contacting them immediately well before the expiration of the seventh day, and to therefore request a reversal of this charge. I was refused.
My request to speak to a manager was initially refused. Upon my insistence, a manager eventually came to the chat site. He merely restated company policy that I must contact them BEFORE the renewal date, so he would not remove the charge. Then, he immediately terminated the conversation.
From subscribers who have wanted their services, TutorVista.com has received good reviews. It seems all the more likely, therefore, that they do not need to conduct an underhand initial renewal as a way to gain revenue. This is a bad business plan, not to mention an unethical one. When someone contacts them immediately on the seventh day and his reversal request is summarily denied, this creates negative internet feedback that is needlessly bad.
I want the $99.99 charged to my bank account on 12/28/2010 to be refunded to me. Furthermore, I suggest that anyone who contacts them as fast as I did upon discovering their "surprise" should have their charge refunded, also.
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