Complain about a product or service

Video Professor

Video Professor • Video Professor Drops Subpoena, Goes After Wikipedia Users • Video Professor Goes After Critics • A Visit to the Video Professor's 'Classroom' --- • Consumer complaints

It's hard to miss the Video Professor if you watch much cable TV. CEO John W. Scherer is everywhere -- promising to make you a computer whiz in no time ... and with no obligation!

But according to our readers, it doesn't always work out that way.

Stephanie of Kearney, MO November 23, 2009

Ordered free CD through Facebook. Received 6 CDs & was charged 9.95 after being told that S&H was 7.95. Total chaged including overdraft fee. Ordered Access lesson to assist with Excel college course. Product from Video Professor was a free CD for 7.95 S&H. Video Professor charged my account 9.95 though on 10/19/09 when the video was shipped. Instead of receiving just 1 CD, I received 6. I did not have time to review the discs since I was working 40hr/wk at a company which is having management issues, raising my son, a full-time student, and starting up my own business. There was no mention that the lesson would be 189.95 on the web site or in their Terms of Use. The only knowledge I had of this fee was when I received notice from my bank that my account had been charged an overdraft fee and that my car payment was sent back which was on 11/19/09, the same day that Video Professor withdrew the 189.95.

I, then, received an email from Video Professor that I would be receiving a PowerPoint lesson in the mail soon. I did not order this lesson and there was no charges on the email. My bank account was then charged another 9.95 for S&H of this lesson. I researched the Video Professor website to find out what their phone number was & immediately called them on 11/23/09 to dispute charges and the shipment. I was given an authorization code to write on the package and return it through USPS. I was also told not to "Return To Sender" for the representative said that USPS does not like handling returns this way. The representative also said that a "Return Sticker" would delay the return. He did not specify if I would receive a refund for this new delivery although did say that I was not entitled to a refund for the Access lesson.

Upon completion of the call, I was advised by my boyfriend to contact the BBB and look up any complaints against Video Professor, Inc. What I found was horrifying! This company has scammed hundreds of people trying to improve their lives under the pretense that the video they ordered was free, up-to-date, and compatible with current operating systems. Video Professor, Inc. is a definite scam company which violates Corporate Social Responsibilty. The compaints have included corporate philanthropy, corporate responsibilty by proper training of employees, integrity, fairness, and respect.

Stephanie of Kearney, MO November 23, 2009

I ordered what I thought was to be a free lesson from Video Professor. It was the Access lesson which I thought would help me with my college Database with Spreadsheet course. The original price that was given to me was 9.95 which was withdrawn from my checking account on 10/18/2009. On November 19, 2009, my account was charged 189.95 which in turn caused a payment on my car to bounce. On 11/21/09, I received an email from Video Professor customer service which said that they had shipped a PowerPoint lesson to me. I never ordered that lesson although my checking account was charged 9.95. I immediately printed off the Terms of Use which does not say how much the lessons cost. What I also noticed is that Video Professor, Inc. does not stand behind it's video lessons and states clearly in it's Terms of Use (Lesson 1 of Access). For all I know, these lessons could contain viruses so I did not accept the terms which closed out the lesson.

When I called Video Professor to dispute the charges and receive a refund, they told me that I did not contact them or read the Terms and Conditions when I placed the order. I argued that their web page did not say anything at all about the cost of the program nor did it say that I would receive other lessons except in the Terms of Use which did not say anything about the exact fees. Supposedly, the customer service rep canceled my subscription and gave me an authorization code to return the PowerPoint lesson which is still on it's way. The rep did not say however that my money will be refunded and they said that I would not be refunded the 189.95 for Access. I have read the other complaints and even though I do not wish to use this corrupt program, I am afraid to spend anymore precious money on this scam in returning the lesson. The rep said that sending out a return slip would take extra time and that the authorization code was the fastest way to return the lesson (another cost to me which I do not have).

I am very upset about this since I am recovering from a broken leg and still trying to receive short-term disability. Through all of this, I have spent a total of 209.97 plus was charged an overdraft fee of 20. Mr. Scherer says he wants to sue the consumer? We did nothing wrong except believe that he was sending us a free disc. He lied about the fact that it was free, hid the cost of the lessons, and has now increased his price to 289.00 for each lesson. I am wondering if I will be charged 189.95 or 289.00 for the PowerPoint which has still not arrived.

Beverly of Austin, TX November 18, 2009

I returned the product in tact, it was never opened. I was told I would receive a refund. Called and was told it would be 20 business days, called after 20 and was told it would be 30 business days, after 30 I called and they said they would expitite the refund, today 11/18/09 I'm told the "rush" refund will take 10 to 15 business days. My checking account was debited 189.00.

Robert of Dunn, NC November 18, 2009

Went through all the trial period like everyone else. Got return authorization...sent items back...no refund received. After several calls and listening to their spiel about "up to 30 business days to process refund", waited the 30 days before calling back. Talked with rep who stated that the thirty days was up, but they had until 5pm MST to transfer the money into my account. I checked the next day...no money. Called them AGAIN...was told the refund had not been "expidited", and would be an additional 13-15 business days to get refund.

I don't believe this outfit. I have read on complaint sites that this company has and continues to rip people off regarding refunds. Some are still waiting after 60 days. The BBB has received over 500 complaints but aren't really empowered to do anything about it. I think the Attorney-General needs to step up and find out what is really going on here. This has gone on way too long.

Patricia of Quitman, AR November 17, 2009

I ordered a cd free trial for 6,95. I got a overdraft notice from my bank because they took out !89.00 from my account. I called them and was told since I did not contact them after 11 days they assumed I wanted the product and took 189.00 out of my account. I sent the product back and the received it appr. Nov, 6 and I still have not received my refund, They said it would take 30 business days to get it and it has been that long. I called them today Nov.17 and they said it would be 2or 3 weeks before I get it.

Penney of Columbia, SC November 16, 2009

I went on line to purchase the EBay lesson. I never received the product and noticed in my checking account that 189.00 was taken out of my account from Video Professor. I called immediately and they told me it would be 30 business days. I did call several times throughout the month to check the status, but they kept up the the 30 business time frame. I still had not received the product.

At the end of October, I learned that I still didn't have my refund, so I called them back and I spoke to a floor manager. He told me that he was gonna escalate it to the "refund resolution" department and I would have my refund "probably before the 10-15 business day time frame". I called again and the customer service rep stated they can refund money at any time and that I would have it by SUNDAY, the 15th of November.

I asked to speak to a supervisor and they hung up on me after a few minutes. Now, it is the 16th of November (tomorrow will be 2 months-including the business days-ha)and I was told by a customer service rep I would have to wait and it would be no later than the 23rd of November. I bounced 4 checks not knowing they would take the money out and I never received the product. One of the last customer service reps did say they would send out a replacement free of charge so I wouldn't have to eat the shipping. I haven't gotten that one either.

Philip of Monroe, NC November 10, 2009

I ordered the Video Professor online, for 10. I was then charged 189. I called to return it. I was given an authorization code, and shipped it UPS. They recieved it back in 3 days. I was told that my refund would take 30 business days to receive, kind of funny since it took them only 2 days to take the money from my account. That was Sept 28, 2009. I was "promised" I would receive my refund on 11/9/2009. When I did not, (surprise surprise) I called Video Porfessor yet again, and was told that my refund hadn't even been processed yet. I would take another 15 business days. That's when I decided to call channel 9 in Denver, look up "Video Processor Scam" on google. That's how I found this site. I don't know about anyone else, but I have filed a complaint to the FTC. They will not handle my issue directly, however they will handle the issue if they receive enough complaints. The real issue here: Video Professor is making a Ponzi Scam out of customer refunds. They hold the refunds until the next billing cycle or even longer. It doesn't take a genius to see what this means to their bottom line. It's this kind of behavior the FTC is interested in. I highly recommend you fill out a complaint form on their web site, so we can be done with this scam once and for all.

Clarice of seguin, TX November 7, 2009

hooray! finally got my refund after 61 business days!! did they actually get on the ball or was it because I filed a complaint with the Denver BBB??

Anzhelika of Parsippany, NJ November 4, 2009

On Video professor web site I paid S&H for trying 10 days their product Quick books software lessons. I am a self learner and wanted to see if it was advanced to improve my knowledge. When I received a product( good product) but it was not what I expected I returned it by USPS on time and with all delivery confirmation tracking number and receipts to prove their receiving.

More than month later I was charged for a full price. When I contacted the company representative first time he said they didn't receive it at all, and I faxed all proves to a supervisor Chasity and said that they will fix a mistake but they will refund my money in 30 business days( like 6 weeks! for wrong charge). I was not satisfied with this answer and contacted next day another representative,Dana said that it was their mistake and in 15 days I will get a refund. I was strongly unsatisfied with that charge and different information i got from different reps of one company.

I called to my bank to dispute a charge. They connected me on the conference call with Chris fro Video Professor. That was ridiculous just to listen to her, she said that they received my return but week later from my dates proved by USPS delivery confirmations and I violated their return policy, she didn't care about my USPS proves and receipts, she was extremely rude and interrupted me constantly.

In the end the said that she cannot help me with it, it is my fault and when I complete violation form, they might return my money back or might not. the bank representative hang up on us because of the screaming and unappropriated tone of voice from Video Professor Representative. I called second time to my bank and they issue a credit for this incorrect charge and processed a dispute.

I do not want anyone to have this experience and more, I think it is planned and that is the way they earn money. The product itself is great for beginners, but customer service, mixed ,confusing and conflicting information representatives provide in addition to incorrect billing and not easy to refund customer's money make this company strongly undesirable.

I was charged 190 (month later!) for returned on time free trial. I unsuccessfully spend lots of time arguing and disputing this wrong charge , proving with my receipts and confirmations. I still did not get my refund.

I am not ever going to sign any violation forms that they sent to me to sign because I didn't violate their rules and I have proves. It is exhausting, upsetting and nerve taking to deal with Video professor billing inquiries. I wouldn't recommend anyone to even try this product.

Charles of Glendive, MT November 4, 2009

I had in the past ordered a video professor CD for 4 bucks...we had gotten use of it and my middle son wanted one for him. I purchased an new one. This time it was about 7 bucks. In the fine print there was a purchase agreement for 189.00 that I did not see. I had read everything on the web page and it said nothing about a charge or any free trial like they have posted now.

The shopping cart had no charge but the 7 dollar CD. I did not read it closely because I had purchased from them before and I was happy with their service. And the my space page that I found them on said I received gamepionts for an Internet game we play as a family for a 7.00 purchase from video professor.

Consequently we never received the 7.00 CD that I purchased.About a month or so later the post office said I have a package, When I went to go see it it was a big box, I told them I never ordered anything that big so send it back to the sender. after some time I received a mailbox full of NSF charges...it wiped us out. 11 days after I purchased the 7.00 CD they took 189.00 out of my account.

This did not result in NSF right away because I kept a 200 running balance in case my car broke down so I didn't loose my job. But I had a short week and used 50.00 of my reserve to complete paying my obligations to the utility companies. I was making payments on an old bill. I tried to recover from the loss but it takes me two days to make 189.00 and then my household expenses were nearly a hundred dollars a day, with student loans and such. At this time the Video professor had cost me 500.00 or so and it was not over yet

When I first called them the day I recieved the NSF mail they said they would refund when my package got there. I said what package? Te then expalined what it was. I was furious and they said they cant help m without a return number inside the package. I told them I returned a package awhile back and it must have been thier stuff. She agian said I must have the return number inside the box. at the end of the call they were going to refund my money.

Then after time elapses more the reason changed to they did not recieve the package till after the agreed time for a free trial. I ask what free trial , why would I have a free trial when I work all the time, and I would never be able to purchase it. I explained we are in very desperate times and if they don't refund me the bank would not reverse the NSF charges.

Today they give me the return number from their computer and I found out that the first person I talked to could have gotten it from her screen knowing I did not have it and would never have it because they had the package. I have to stop writing it upsets me so bad my stomache hurts all night if I get involved again with trying to get my money back.

I know hat this will sound exaggerated but it is not, in reality what this has cost me is so great I will never recover, I can barley think about it anymore. I'm posting this to try and move on and hope I can save someone else from being hurt by this Internet scam. I was at the time paying back utility bill from the cold winter.

When they wiped me out I could only hold on until I was rained out a few days and I couldn't make the back payments per our agreement. hey disconnected my power and asses a fee for reconnect and a huge deposit. then the water was shut off, and so on. I then lost my home, because we could not live there with no utilities.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |