Thomson Education Direct consumer fraud ripoff Internet

this school is a joke,they put out paperback books you can purchase at any good bookstore for $14.99 a piece.the books are very general and teach you very little,you get no hands on with this school and they only want your money.
you are not a student or a person but just a source of income to these people.
do yourself a favor and go to a real school.

I have finally finished Education Direct's High School program. It was the best program ever. I had absolutely no problems with Education Direct, nor their staff. The only complaint I have is; they take way to long to grade an assignment that can't be done over the internet. As far as getting into college: I'm currently attending Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. There was no problem what-so-ever to be admitted. I'm working on my Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Criminal Justice. I'm closer to my dream job, thanks to Education Direct. I want to become a State Trooper, for the Texas Department of Public Safety. My advice, take the high school program to succeed in life, you will not regret it!

I attended a highschool for kids with behavor problems and that school only graded on behavior. They kept me on an 8th grade level which them by the time it was for me to graduate with the grades I was leaving with I would never be able to get into college. So I found this school.. and it is the greatest it not only only helped me get my grades that I needed.. it helped me believe in myself and the learning capabilities I have, unlike the school I went to before just thought I could only do middle school work.

The shipments went well and everything. I have no complaints about it. Next Year I will finally be going to the college I always dreamed of going.

Thank YOU E.D.

I attended a highschool for kids with behavor problems and that school only graded on behavior. They kept me on an 8th grade level which them by the time it was for me to graduate with the grades I was leaving with I would never be able to get into college. So I found this school.. and it is the greatest it not only only helped me get my grades that I needed.. it helped me believe in myself and the learning capabilities I have, unlike the school I went to before just thought I could only do middle school work.

The shipments went well and everything. I have no complaints about it. Next Year I will finally be going to the college I always dreamed of going.

Thank YOU E.D.

I attended a highschool for kids with behavor problems and that school only graded on behavior. They kept me on an 8th grade level which them by the time it was for me to graduate with the grades I was leaving with I would never be able to get into college. So I found this school.. and it is the greatest it not only only helped me get my grades that I needed.. it helped me believe in myself and the learning capabilities I have, unlike the school I went to before just thought I could only do middle school work.

The shipments went well and everything. I have no complaints about it. Next Year I will finally be going to the college I always dreamed of going.

Thank YOU E.D.

I attended a highschool for kids with behavor problems and that school only graded on behavior. They kept me on an 8th grade level which them by the time it was for me to graduate with the grades I was leaving with I would never be able to get into college. So I found this school.. and it is the greatest it not only only helped me get my grades that I needed.. it helped me believe in myself and the learning capabilities I have, unlike the school I went to before just thought I could only do middle school work.

The shipments went well and everything. I have no complaints about it. Next Year I will finally be going to the college I always dreamed of going.

Thank YOU E.D.

I don't know if anyone will answer this, but I have been researching this school and wonder if anyone can give me some advice. If and when I decide to go to school, is this a school that is considered to be trustworthy? What are they like and would I recieve a quality education through them? I have been thinking about the veterinary assistant program and wonder if anyone else has taken this course through them? Thanks..

I dont understand. All this crying when you should be trying to settle the problem with Education Direct. Bad Mouthing these people is not the solution. Find out what went wrong and fix it. If you think they are screwing you around, go to the authorities. There are laws to protect you. I have just finished my second class and still cannot dig up a single negative incident. I am currently planning another class.
In addition, I have refered two others and they are doing well. Problems? I just dont know!!

Without my knowledge someone must have sent 10 dollars in to enroll me in a nutrition course, because oneday I started recieving bills from the company demanding that I pay them 600 dollars. They call my house all the time, I tryed to explain to them that Ive never recieved any traing materials or books so I think they have the wrong person, but they just keep demanding money from me. Now they say if I dont pay they are sending it to collections? I dont know what to do.

I have been studying with Thompson's Education Direct for quite some time, and I am now finishing my final courses for my Associates in Computer Science. Between Education Direct's timely responses, and their knowledgeable staff and customer service, I would say they are by far one of the best companies I have ever dealt with.

I personally have never dealt with a hostile representitive at Education Direct. If anything, it has always been the exact opposite. They are more than willing to help with any questions, concerns, or they will be more than happy to direct you to who can help from my experience with them.

I have visited ripoffreport.com many times, and i am grateful that a website like this exists for the education of the consumer. I rarely post on websites, but I'll make an exception here. If anything, Education Direct is an exceptional way to further a person's education and skill.

While not completely related, I say to anyone who has an issue with any company to always remember to keep a calm and amicable approach with representatives. Nobody likes to be chastised, and it can always turn a situation for the worse. Imagine yourself being in their shoes as well. Sometimes a misunderstanding can be remedied before it gets out of hand. And always remain firm in what kind of resolve you're looking for, afterall, you're the consumer. I think ripoffreport.com is a great means to expose company unethical dealings, but only when one has exhausted means to deal with a truly unethical company.

I want anyone to know who is currently making the decision to attain a high school diploma through education direct DO IT! you wont regret it! I got my high school diploma through E.D. and I am in college studying to be a nurse. I had NO problem finding a college that would accept my diploma and aplied to many schools of MY choice and got into the college that I had always wanted to go to. Dont put it off, do it today, they treated me well and I never had a problem with them. For those of you that have had problems with E.D. Im sorry to hear that, but I can assure the rest of you, that E.D. was an awesome experience for me and that first day of college was just as awesome. I am 42 and I began college 2 yrs ago! What an experience.

I can't imagine that anyone experiencing problems from Thomson Education Direct's courses of education would be less than satisfactory. Atleast nothing that would be outside what would be considered normal. My experiences have been all positive from the time I enrolled and completing my course work.

All inquiries have been answered in a day and were always polite and explained as well as including encouragement to keep up the good work. I must as well mention that even in exams that had to be sent back for grading has always been returned with writings of encouragement.

There was a time that one of my lessons was damaged in the mail and had only gotten one of those study guides back out of the whole shipment. I kindly contacted them and explained what happened and since they required a 5 day period (something like that) before reshipment i recieved a new shipment pronto :).

My course is paid for and have a few more months until I complete it. I probably paid more in the monthly plan than most people or perhaps maybe average, however if my memory serves me correct they do mention something about materials to payment ratio.

Before I enrolled in my program I did research education direct and read all of their claims (the most important ones) for their accredidations and so forth. I find it hard to believe that they would practice in less then acceptable ways or should I say unethical practices. They are Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and have been granted by that board as well to issue college level degrees.

As for my learning experiences and this is in my own opinion that with the course I'm taking the exams and study seems to be tougher than what you would get in the classroom and that is the way it should be. It makes everyone a smarter cookie.
If a could add one complaint (if you could call it that) it would be that the postal service is to slow.

As to date everything has been positive!!!

My Husband just recently about 4 months ago requested to enroll in one the programs. When he first received is package he was registered under the wrong course.

He called the Customer Service Dept and after a long wait on hold was told that he had chosen that program and had to remain on it. He first thought that maybe it was an error of our part but about a week after he spoke to the Customer Service Dept we received a confirmation letter of the course along with a payment book. Indeed we were not the ones to make the error it was Thomson Direct.

Immediately he called and they stated that they would fix the program. The Customer Service Rep advised that she had made the corrections and that he would be receiving his new books in no time. This has been about 2 months now and the only thing that we have received is bills after bills and no books. This is a total rip off!!!!

I am currently enrolled in my second class with Thomson Education Direct and have not experienced any non-helpful or negative behavior on the part of their staff. I have completed the class on Professional Locksmithing and am now persuing a class in Computer Repair. During my association with T.E.D, I have found the staff to be courtious at all times. I am still in contact with my Locksmith class Instructor and have good results even today. I do not understand what may have transpired between this complainant and T.E.D. but find it to be very curious indeed.

I am currently enrolled in my second class with Thomson Education Direct and have not experienced any non-helpful or negative behavior on the part of their staff. I have completed the class on Professional Locksmithing and am now persuing a class in Computer Repair. During my association with T.E.D, I have found the staff to be courtious at all times. I am still in contact with my Locksmith class Instructor and have good results even today. I do not understand what may have transpired between this complainant and T.E.D. but find it to be very curious indeed.

I am currently enrolled in my second class with Thomson Education Direct and have not experienced any non-helpful or negative behavior on the part of their staff. I have completed the class on Professional Locksmithing and am now persuing a class in Computer Repair. During my association with T.E.D, I have found the staff to be courtious at all times. I am still in contact with my Locksmith class Instructor and have good results even today. I do not understand what may have transpired between this complainant and T.E.D. but find it to be very curious indeed.

I am currently enrolled in my second class with Thomson Education Direct and have not experienced any non-helpful or negative behavior on the part of their staff. I have completed the class on Professional Locksmithing and am now persuing a class in Computer Repair. During my association with T.E.D, I have found the staff to be courtious at all times. I am still in contact with my Locksmith class Instructor and have good results even today. I do not understand what may have transpired between this complainant and T.E.D. but find it to be very curious indeed.

I have been takeing my course for awhile and was unable to finish on time due to health problems. I recieved 2 six month extensions; the first there was no additional charge and the second was only $75.00. There is a notice on the courses stating that a certain percent of the tution is to be met before some of the training material is sent. Have you possible reached that place in your studies? Check out your agreement.

Dawn: Rest assured! The Thomson High School diploma program is definitely real, and 100% legitimate. In fact, Thomson High School was able to obtain the same type of regional accreditation (Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools) that traditional brick and mortar high schools possess. Education Direct also holds DETC accreditation, which is equally valid.

I graduated from their H.S. diploma program in 1998, when they went by the name "Newport Pacific High School". Since then, I was able to graduate from a highly rated private university, and even earn a Master's degree. Now, I am pursuing a JD degree at a nearby ABA approved law school. Without Education Direct's high school diploma program, none of this would have been possible. Therefore, I would not hesitate to recommend any of their programs.

I have completed my Medical Transcription course and now am studying to be a Paralegal. I have had no problems with E.D. They have always send my books on time and when I have spoke with them, they have been very pleasant to me. Thank you E.D.
Beth

A friend and I just recently started with E.D. for our highschool course. She recently tried to get a letter to state her enrollment in this and was told there wasnt one available that they had no letter head. I am just wondering ig you actualy get a High School Deploma or am i wasting $600 that dont have in the first place to be wasting

Any Info would help us

After reading this report and the comments made by Jerry Skettino of Education Direct, we decided to investigate further. When contacted by us, Mr. Skettino replied immediately. He was well aware of this story, and seemed more than willing to work with the complainant Janice.

It is rare that companies reported here are willing to work with us, so we were very encouraged by the fact that Education Direct wanted to help satisfy this complaint. Likewise, we were excited to hear that we may be able to help Janice with her issue.

Since Mr. Skettino of Education Direct was so cooperative, we immediately attempted to contact Janice in order to supply her with Mr. Skettino's contact information. Unfortunately however, Janice was unreachable. Her contact information has either changed, or was never valid.

Since we were unable to reach Janice, and because Education Direct seemed more than willing to resolve the issue, we have no choice but to conclude that this report is groundless. Unless we hear from Janice in the near future, this report will be considered dismissed.

Finally, we would like to thank Mr. Skettino for his time. Until companies begin following the lead of Education Direct, there will always be a need for RipoffReport.com.

Michael Perone - Consumer Advocate
mPerone@RipoffReport.com

I am going into my 6th study guide with Thomson Education Direct, I have had no problems at all. In fact I only sent them 5.00 to get started and already I have recieved 6 study guides with two more already on the way, which reminds me, I need to make my first payment. No problems here!

I have almost completed the course and never had a problem. I am doing the monthly payments.Have never had a delay in my shipments in fact I have 3 courses of books ahead of me.
I have also called them and had a very polite and excellent reply from them.
I would recomend it to anyone.

Dear Janice,

I am the manager of Student Services at Education Direct. Your complaint concerns me very much and I want to talk to you about.

Education Direct has provided distance education for over 100 years and is the worlds leading provider of this type of instruction. We attained this level of acceptance by providing quality service and training.

Your complaint puzzles me because you state that we simply stopped sending you materials. I dont understand how this can be possible. Each program of study is organized into shipments containing training materials and exams. When a student completes a certain exam in that shipment, a new shipment is automatically triggered. In this way, a student gets materials when he or she needs them. Occasionally an item is on back order, but Student Services, or your instructors, can overcome these problems.

Please contact student services at stuserv@educationdirect.com or call 888-427-1000. Mention that I want to speak to you personally. I want you to get the training you need, and I will do everything I can to insure you are satisfied with our school.

Sincerely,

Jerry Skettino
Customer Relationship Manager
Education Direct

Dear Sandra and anyone else who may be reading. I am not affiliated with Education Direct, just a consumer such as yourself. I too have chosen to look elsewhere. But, your comment does not serve any purpose at all. The other person who complained had a legit complaint with specific details. You offered none! Such a broad comment is unfair to the readers and Education Direct. Please give specific reasons you believe E.D. is not a good school. I do not mean to offend you, but you cannot attempt to ruin a companies reputation without some attempt to back up your comments. Please share your critiques should you have any. Thanks.

Dear Sandra and anyone else who may be reading. I am not affiliated with Education Direct, just a consumer such as yourself. I too have chosen to look elsewhere. But, your comment does not serve any purpose at all. The other person who complained had a legit complaint with specific details. You offered none! Such a broad comment is unfair to the readers and Education Direct. Please give specific reasons you believe E.D. is not a good school. I do not mean to offend you, but you cannot attempt to ruin a companies reputation without some attempt to back up your comments. Please share your critiques should you have any. Thanks.

Dear Sandra and anyone else who may be reading. I am not affiliated with Education Direct, just a consumer such as yourself. I too have chosen to look elsewhere. But, your comment does not serve any purpose at all. The other person who complained had a legit complaint with specific details. You offered none! Such a broad comment is unfair to the readers and Education Direct. Please give specific reasons you believe E.D. is not a good school. I do not mean to offend you, but you cannot attempt to ruin a companies reputation without some attempt to back up your comments. Please share your critiques should you have any. Thanks.

Dear Sandra and anyone else who may be reading. I am not affiliated with Education Direct, just a consumer such as yourself. I too have chosen to look elsewhere. But, your comment does not serve any purpose at all. The other person who complained had a legit complaint with specific details. You offered none! Such a broad comment is unfair to the readers and Education Direct. Please give specific reasons you believe E.D. is not a good school. I do not mean to offend you, but you cannot attempt to ruin a companies reputation without some attempt to back up your comments. Please share your critiques should you have any. Thanks.

I have talked with a Education Direct representative today and issued my concerns in this regard. They said,and I qoute"If you pay your tuition in full, upfront, all of your materials will be sent to you at once." This may be a good alternative to avoid future problems with them. I would highly suggest the pay in full method of payment. This is by no means a guarantee you will receive all your materials, but however I deem it to be a more suitable arrangement. The fact that they have not used you well still leaves room for one to have pause. Thankyou.