Anyone Got a Refund from Upskilled

Mary Poppins on 11/03/2019 - 11:35

So long story short. Husband signed up for a 4 year marketing course through Upskilled in January. He never even started the course and due to work committments has realised that he made the wrong decision in signing up. Upskilled have refused to reneg on the contract and said there's nothing my husband can do as he left it too long (there's a 5 day cooling off period) to cancel. They are debiting our account $76.21 per fortnight (so far paid $685.29). So to my reckoning, this will amount to $7,925.84 over a 4 year period - that's a LOT of money for nothing!! Just wondering if anyone else has had any dealings with Upskilled and been succesful in getting their money back? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. TIA

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Comments

  • tsunamisurfer on 11/03/2019 - 11:53
    +6

    The 5 day cooling off period is that time for self reflection, not 4 and a half months.

    The best thing you can do is to try again and ask them for a compromise.

    • Mary Poppins on 11/03/2019 - 21:49

      Thanks for your comments Tsunami. Yes, it does sound rather pathetic not having done anything for 4 and a half months. The money was being taken out of our bank and it wasn't until I questioned DH about it, he said he'd been meaning to cancel it. Since signing up to the course, he has been extremely busy with work and has been working away alot and just not had the time or the inkling to think about doing a course or cancelling it.

  • HighAndDry on 11/03/2019 - 12:30
    +3

    has realised that he made the wrong decision in signing up.

    Yes, he did. These are the consequences.

    that's a LOT of money for nothing!!

    It's a lot of money to have committed to without thinking it through.

    Contact them and ask how much it would take for them to cancel the contract. They'll generally agree, it's usually a matter of how much in break fees you're willing to pay.

  • Ocker on 11/03/2019 - 12:31
    +6

    If you signed a legally binding contract and after 4 1/2 months change your mind I do not see why you think you are entitled to a free cancellation?

  • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2019 - 12:35
    +1

    They are delivering the service as per contract. Your husband not making use of the service is not their problem.

    They may have used that money to contract lecturers so it is reasonable to refuse your refund request. Who knows, and it isn't relevant. It is a solicited sale and you did not exercise your entitlement to withdraw within the cooldown period.

    Advice - learn from this mistake and don't make the same mistake in future.

  • redfox1200 on 11/03/2019 - 12:42

    close bank account and open a new one

    • Mary Poppins on 11/03/2019 - 21:35

      I did actually think of that. Well, cancelling the credit card but I don't want to "ruffle any feathers" and cause any angst just yet. I am hoping that there might be a more amicable resolution.

  • Hithere on 11/03/2019 - 13:33
    +1

    Unfortunately buyers remorse is not considered a good enough reason to cancel a legal contract.

    Try offering a (decent) lump sum to buy your way out of the contract.

  • Some Human on 11/03/2019 - 13:46
    +1

    My ex started a nursing course at Chisholm, then quit after about 4 months. They refunded him $2000 of the $7000 it cost to do the course.
    So unfortunately even if your man can buyout the contract, he is probably going to be out a lot of $$$.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2019 - 14:33
    +2

    Just do the course. Will need to work hard to catch up.

    Is it online?

  • toniyellow on 11/03/2019 - 14:34
    +2

    5.3 on this pages outlines the information about fees they are required to provide to you. https://www.asqa.gov.au/standards/chapter-2/clauses-5.1-5.3
    If they did not do this, or you think the information they gave to you about fees was misleading or deceptive you could complain to ASQA, or perhaps through Consumer Affairs Victoria.

    If they did provide the information to you appropriately, and you have simply changed your mind, then you have no way to force their hand. There is nothing to lose by attempting to negotiate with them to buy your way out though.

    • Mary Poppins on 11/03/2019 - 19:57

      Thanks Toni - will see how he goes… "nothing to lose" eh

  • spackbace on 11/03/2019 - 14:56

    Refund Policy

    Upskilled may in its absolute discretion, refund some or all course fees where it determines that there are extenuating or compassionate circumstances. Refund for part course fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis on the booking price. The pro rata will not include the enrolment fee ($990) which is a portion of fees not eligible for refund. E.G. if a student completes only 50% of the course, then they would be eligible for a 50% pro rata refund.
    In the below outlined cases and when course fees have been received by Upskilled, a full refund of all payments will be issued:
    • Upskilled make a preliminary assessment of a student’s eligibility to enrol in courses under the New Apprenticeships Arrangement in good faith. The final decision that is made by an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) consultant finds that the student is deemed to be ineligible.
    • Upskilled have cancelled a course prior to commencement.
    • Upskilled CEO sympathetically reviews any extenuating circumstances of applications for refund under the refund policy by any student.
    Approved applications for refund will be processed with fourteen (14) days of notice. All applications for refund will be reviewed and authorised by the RTO Manager/CEO.

    I don't imagine "I accidentally signed up" to be a reason that they'll let you off the hook…

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2019 - 15:04
      +5

      Same principle applies for buying an old rolls royce and porsche at auction I believe.

    • Mary Poppins on 11/03/2019 - 20:00

      I accidentally signed up and being too busy with work are not quite the same thing though but I do understand what TShow said about having to pay lecturers etc… fair call.

  • john1973 on 09/07/2019 - 00:06
    +1

    Hi Mary,

    I am in the industry, you are entitled a refund minus an administration fee(admin fee is between $250 and $500)

    You can do a number of things
    1) Complain to ASQA the government body that allows Upskilled to operate. From what I understand they take a dim view on training organisations that don't offer fair refunds.
    2) If you are in NSW start talking with Fair Trading(or whatever your states equivalent of Fair trading is)

    After you talk to ASQA and Fairtrading - lodge a formal complaint to Upskilled and tell them you have spoken to ASQA, you will get better results.

  • Mary Poppins on 11/07/2019 - 10:50

    Thanks John, this makes me feel a little more confident. I am in Victoria & will be taking this further.

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