Centum Learning Centre
Misrepresentation of facts about MBA Course

My son, V. Ravi Kiran, purchased a prospectus for MBA from Centum Learing Center on 20.12.2009. The prospectus was from IGNOU and the payment structure as verbally conveyed was in installments and hence he was interested in pursuing the course from the institute.

He was selected for admission on 21.12.2009 and on the same evening was asked to pay a sum of Rs.3500/- upfront as registration fee. I was also present at the time of the payment. The terms and conditions were not explained in detail at the time of the payment of registration fee and many facts were hidden.

As per the verbal communication taken place on 21.12. we assumed that the payment for the course can be made in installments semesterwise/yearwise. We were also conveyed that the course had just been commenced. As per the supplied prospectus the course was from IGNOU.

On 22.12. when my son V Ravi Kiran collected the payment agreement from the centre for Bank Loan, we were dismayed to observe a total deviation from the verbal communication as regards to the payment of course fee in installments. The agreement clearly says that the entire amount of Rs.150000/- needs to be made by 31.01.2010 which is just a month away.

When I expressed my inability to make payment in such short period for which no bank would lend a loan, initially the centre was adamant and later on started bargaining on the payment structure. Later on we also came to know that the course has already been commenced 3 months ago, a fact hidden from us. The supplied prospectus of IGNOU was taken back and we were told that the course is from Annamalai University for which no prospectus was supplied. A sum of Rs.500 was collected earlier for the prospectus.

Under the above circumstances, I felt it unsuitable to admit my son in the learning centre which kept on changing its statements time and again. Accordingly, my son V. Ravi Kiran visited the institute on 23.12.2009 and expressed his desire to drop out of the course. An altercation had taken place between my son and the executives of the institute when he demanded the refund of Rs.3500/- paid towards registration. We were told to wait for a day for clarification towards the refund of registration fee and no one till date bothered to contact us and any attempt to contact them from our side is intentionally ignored.

My son again approached the Institute on 31.12.2009 along with his grand father and they were assured that Institute would furnish a suitable explanation by the evening of the same day. The Institute refused to accept the written representation for refund of registration fee. Mr. Murali from the Institute called his grand father and postponed the meeting yesterday and again today saying the executives are busy.

The registration fee was paid in sheer good faith. The credentials of the Institute are under cloud because of their avoidance tactics.

I request the concerned authorities to kindly look into the matter. The amount involved is very small (Rs.3500/- only) but I am feeling cheated and would not want other students to suffer like my son.

I am ready to forego the amount if the credentials of the Institute can be established. I also admit the fact that a clause in the bill provided for payment of registration fee clearly says "Amount once paid will not be refunded".

regards

V Jagannadham

Company: Centum Learning Centre
Country: India

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