Bust-up With Language School

[Silentwalker]

I recently returned to Thailand after having spent a month or so back in my native homeland of Britain. Before I visited my home I had applied for and deposited half the cost of one year at a Thai language school. This was around the figure of 10,000 THB. I had informed them that I was going back home and would contact them about getting my ED visa and starting the course upon my return.

However, I have run into financial issues since being back after falling very sick here and having to pay out huge hospital bills. I then phoned the language school up in order to get my money back and politely explained what had happened. Of course, they refused to negotiate. The excuse was "we have already sent your application to the ministry of education. I'm sorry but we can't refund like you can at a place like Jatujak weekend market". My response was "And how is that a problem? If you really want to be like that you can deduct the amount you paid the MoE for the ED visa and we will go our separate ways".They wouldn't even tell me the price they paid for it. Of course this followed with feeble excuses and then "Hello, I can't hear you? The line is going dead" before they hung up on me.

This has put me into anger mode as my situation is desperate and I NEED the refund. Note that I have not started their course and nor do I actually HAVE the ED visa. I am under the impression nothing has been confirmed by the MoE about my ED visa and the cost is around 2000 THB for the school to apply for one. Can you give me some advice before I phone back up and continue with my demanding and eventually end up walking into their office?

[CarlTyson]

I know the feeling.

Sometimes you just want to crawl thru the phone lined and strangle the jerk.

[beachproperty]

Sorry to hear that your were ill....and also sorry to hear that you are in dire need of 10,000 baht.

Reality is ....good luck getting your money back ....it's not going to happen.

Edited December 2, 2014 by beachproperty

[Thongkorn]

Welcome to the land of smoke ad mirrors, You should know what you get is not what you see or pay for.

[ukrules]

Once the money has left your wallet it will almost certainly never return.

Forget about ever getting this, it's not going to happen.

[Silentwalker]

Does it help my cause that the owner is a Filipino and the school are breaching the latest MoE rules concerning such things as minimum studying hours?

I also still want to know the cost of applying for an ED visa. Can anyone confirm it to be 2000 THB?

[Hedghog]

You paid a non refundable deposit.

Thus you are not owed anything.

Despite your being borrasic lint.

Why don't you have a contingency fund.?

Oh sorry daft question.

[CarlTyson]

Inform the cretin you have been advised to write the Office of Consumer Protection.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Guys, keep the posts civil, the OP has a problem and is looking for assistance to resolve it, if possible.

Mac

[mrtoad]

Inform the cretin you have been advised to write the Office of Consumer Protection.

That'll learn him. Lol

[dutchisaan]

The OP has a problem with his ed visa since he is a member on this form.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wooloomooloo]

I'll be civil but, OP, please kindly note that this is Thailand and the chances of recouping your money are slim to nothing. Sorry.

Concentrate on more important matters now, like your health.

Thailand is somewhere you don't want to be when you are desperate for money.

[Slip]

As has been said; unless you negotiated otherwise, you have paid a non-refundable deposit. Your school sounds like it is run by a hard-nosed businessman who recognises a profit when he sees it, and has no moral issue with keeping your money. They have no legal obligation to refund, so I guess you are stuffed.

If it's any use to you, I'm sure that if you pay the other half of your fees, they will provide your visa and teach you as per your initial agreement. (Unless you have already pissed them off).

[cornishcarlos]

Just out of interest, why did you not have any insurance to cover your medical fees..?

I have to agree with the majority here, chances of recovering the 10k = 0%...

Good luck though

[Seastallion]

I wouldn't be too pessimistic.

Wifey wants to do a 2nd masters degree. She looked online, selected the course she wanted, and contacted the university, paid 3000 deposit. A month later the university contacted her and said the course she wanted was not being offered. She asked for a refund. They said (standard reply) no refund policy, sorry. She said, hang on, the course was advertised and YOU have withdrawn it.

A further month later, the university agreed to refund.

It can happen.

[crickets]

Follow the owner home one night. Knock on the door late at night and ask for your money back. Nothing wrong with trying that.

[sdanielmcev]

Legally, unless you have a contract, it is up to the business owner whether to give a refund. Same here as in any other country. Don't get mad at the business owner because your situation has changed.

[NeverSure]

I don't understand. Returned to native Britain. Huge hospital bills. What about NHS, or were you in Thailand when you got sick?

[kurnell]

You make me feel guilty about my 12,000 baht lunch today.

[samran]

As we say in Oz.

You have two chances. Buckley's and none.

[Briggsy]

What leverage do you have?

[David48]

You make me feel guilty about my 12,000 baht lunch today.

Skite !

Hope there was a Soapy included in there somewhere ...

[rgs2001uk]

As we say in Oz.

You have two chances. Buckley's and none.

Let me please translate that into Pommy speak, you have two hopes, Bob Hope and no hope.

[daveAustin]

When back over, go back, step in dog sh.ite and walk through the school... everyday.

Edited December 2, 2014 by daveAustin

[konying]

Firstly, you need to check confirm what contract says.about refunds.

When you paid deposit, you would have signed some forms.

I have a feeling there is something there about refunds.

If there is no mention then consumer protection board should be your next stop

[eldragon]

I wouldn't be too pessimistic.

Wifey wants to do a 2nd masters degree. She looked online, selected the course she wanted, and contacted the university, paid 3000 deposit. A month later the university contacted her and said the course she wanted was not being offered. She asked for a refund. They said (standard reply) no refund policy, sorry. She said, hang on, the course was advertised and YOU have withdrawn it.

A further month later, the university agreed to refund.

It can happen.

Different situation. OP pulled out of the course.

If the deposit was refundable, and you have documentation, then you can contact the Office of Consumer Protection, or whatever it's called. But I'm guessing it was non-refundable. Otherwise, what reason does the company have to even ask for the deposit in the first place?

[FritsSikkink]

Does it help my cause that the owner is a Filipino and the school are breaching the latest MoE rules concerning such things as minimum studying hours?

I also still want to know the cost of applying for an ED visa. Can anyone confirm it to be 2000 THB?

You applied for a course and will have to pay. You have no chance to get a refund. They could sue you for the rest of the money.

[Loaded]

I'm sure you read the terms and conditions before you enrolled. If it said deposits are non-refundable, why are you now complaining. I have run businesses that involved customers paying non-refundable deposits. When their plans change it's amazing how many have become seriously ill or have suffered a bereavement. Few ever show evidence to support this though. The ones that do are then considered for a partial/full refund, deferment etc.

[benalibina]

I'm sure you read the terms and conditions before you enrolled. If it said deposits are non-refundable, why are you now complaining. I have run businesses that involved customers paying non-refundable deposits. When their plans change it's amazing how many have become seriously ill or have suffered a bereavement. Few ever show evidence to support this though. The ones that do are then considered for a partial/full refund, deferment etc.

I can see the link between your comment and your profilename.

[Rooo]

Moved to expat forum.