ComplaintsforFlorida Bartending School

• Initial Complaint

  06/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am reaching out in regards to a sensitive matter pertaining to the "Florida Bartending School" Ormond Beach Location. The institution is accredited by the Commission for Independent Education in the State of Florida. However, I am writing with great concern due to the fraudulent activity I have experienced as a student of their program. The school falsely advertises a 12-hr HANDS ON course "allowing you to feel comfortable & ready to work in a real bar once completing the course!" as stated on their website in addition to a job placement assistance program which I later discovered the businesses listed on the program were not aware of this certification. With that being said, the course lasted a cumulative 3 of the 12 hours with the first class lasting roughly 1 hour and the second class 2 hours. On the third day of class all students were eligible to test out to receive the certification, however no more educational components took place after day 2. In addition, on day 3 of class new students were starting the course which I found particularly strange considering the instructor who identified as "Ms. T****", was supposed to be teaching day 3 of our course. Yet we were instructed to start our exams while she began the introduction to the new students. I was very disappointed to find out this was the type of course I invested $295 in who falsely misleads individuals they will become confident to work in a real bar setting after completing the course. In addition, the advertised "hands-on experience" consisted of a small portion to the entirety of the course with an instructor who I felt was not fully invested nor competent to train us accordingly and even commented I needed to practice outside of the classroom when we only completed 1/4 of the 12-hr course. I ask from bringing this situation to light we can prevent future students from being improperly trained in the field of bartending/mixology as well gain some form of compensation for the funds/time spent.

  Business response

  08/10/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/06/27) */ ******* attended in May 2022 with no issues and completed the entire class. He never canceled with us, or showed any concern in class. His BBB complaint is the first we heard of any issues. The class lasted normal time, and his other class mates, who he does not know personally, attested that class is not how he described above. Had Mr. ******* reached out to us with his issue, we would've have gladly addressed it, but he did not. He finished the class and no refunds are due, considering he already got a credit from his bank on top of completing the program and receiving his certificate. I also checked with all businesses we are currently working with regarding job placement assistance, and none have any record of his name applying like he has stated. We consider this case closed. Consumer Response /* (3000, 15, 2022/07/08) */ I would like to reopen complaint ID#: ******** I was not aware there was a response from the business to my complaint until recently as I have had issues receiving emails. The message stated by the business is faulty in many ways. I complained numerous times to the bartending teacher and also called the main office to approach them about the problem. The on-site instructor said I would not able to receive a refund nor extended training and when I tried calling the main office I was redirected to a voicemail. My only alternative was to go through Better Business Bureau to communicate my experience with this company. To date, this bartending school is wrongfully training students and scamming many individuals taking $295 from each student. Business Response /* (4000, 18, 2022/07/08) */ This is not true. If anyone calls to complain, they are instructed to email their complaint so we can have it in writing to move forward and help the student appropriately. By his statements made, that is proof he never complained to us properly. The teacher also stated he never had any issues, along with his classmates verifying he never spoke up about anything like this. All of his statements are false, and this case was already previously closed and reopened due to him missing an email from BBB. We consider this matter closed.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩