Refund Policy

Question: Why does Lifeprint have a 3-day 100% refund policy after which there is no refund?

Answer:
Sometimes people need insurance that they will be able to fill a language requirement for graduation. So they sign up for this program and breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they are covered and have access to a flexible, online course that is able to fill the language requirement.
Lifeprint then maintains our servers, pays the utilities, pays for web hosting, and renews our domain registration service, etc. all in order to stay in business. Then later the distance education student finds out they don't need the class or can get the language requirement waived. But Lifeprint still had to "stay in business" during that time in order to "be around" and provide that "insurance" to the distance education student.
Your registration fee paid for the following services:
1. I stayed available to receive assignments.
2. I kept my website active so the student could study if he/she wanted.
3. I made payments to the web host for server storage space.
4. I paid monthly for my DSL connection so I could maintain the site.
5. I kept my email account active and maintained so I could receive emails.
6. I made payments on my physical office location so the student would have a place to send the video project.
7. I paid money to upgrade and keep my computers working.
8. I paid money to the domain name registration service to keep the website name registered.
9. I paid the electric bill each month so I could operate the equipment.

Since I output these fees whether or not the student studies--I have to handle the finances very similar to the way "health clubs" and "gyms" handle their membership fees. They charge their fees up front and provide a brief reconsideration period after which there is no refund. That way people don't come back later and say, "I never exercised and I want my money back." Otherwise they would go out of business.

On the bright side, please know that your registration fees did indeed go toward keeping Lifeprint up and running and many tens of thousands of people all over the world use the ASL dictionary and lessons to learn how to communicate with their deaf friends, coworkers, and children. In July I'll be flying to Guyana South America to donate my time to teach Educators of the Deaf how to use the Lifeprint Curriculum to teach sign language to their Deaf students.
Cordially,
Dr. Bill
Lifeprint.com

After about a decade of offering online classes to hundreds of students there have only been 3 (as of this writing) students who have ever requested a refund. That is a very small number and in each case it was exactly as I described above, the person was using Lifeprint as "insurance" to make sure they could graduate.
See below for an "extreme" example of what I'm talking about.

In a message dated 6/4/2005 9:26:20 AM Pacific Daylight Time, adr7t1 writes:

Dear Bill,
I had registered to take ASL because my school told me I would need language credits in order to be certified to teach in the state of New York. They had approved your course as one I could fulfill that requirement with.
During this past semester I was taking 18 credits in order to graduate in May so it was difficult to take on the course at that time. After I graduated I found out that I would not need the language requirement, and have verified that with the state. Therefore I will not be taking the course. I will gladly return the cd's you have sent and since I did not start the course would like to be refunded the money for it. Please provide me with the address in which to return the cd's.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Anthony_______

Anthony_______ _____ Bronx NY 10462
914 447-____ 718 824-____ 718 824-____ adr7t1

Anthony,
If you will reread the registration letter, http://www.lifeprint.com/bookstore/registrationaslucourses.htm it states:
<<I understand that I'm entitled to a full refund for the first 3 days after enrollment. After which there is no refund as long as you provide me with an appropriate curriculum, reasonable access to a qualified ASL instructor for questions for up to a year, reasonable access to the ASL University website or equivalent, and an evaluation of my video. >>

This is no different from most other schools Anthony, including, I'm sure, the one you just graduated from. If you enrolled in their courses and then didn't attend class they would not give you a refund either. It is like buying a movie ticket and not going to the movie--you don't get a refund.
Additionally, in searching my records I don't see any record of the standard $483 tuition payment (via PayPal) under your name.

Sorry,

Bill Vicars

In a message dated 6/12/2005 1:43:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time, adr7t1 writes:

Ok Bill,

First of all, if you want to operate like an actual college, then operate like one. How it works, is after "classes" have begun, (which means
instruction has started) the school then starts decreasing the money you get back if a refund is required and only "after" instruction starts. During the 1st week of classes it is a 100% refund, during the 2nd 80%, the 3rd 60%, the 4th 40% and no refund after the 5th week of "classes". According to you, you give up to 6 months to finish a course and the start of a course does not begin until you are provided with a schedule from the student. I never provided you with that so in essence my classes never started. Here are some quotes posted on your site that clearly state that:
"All quizzes and examinations are cumulative. You design your own schedule of due dates and submit this schedule to your instructor"
"See the schedule below. Fill in due dates that will allow you to finish the course by the time you need to be done. The schedule below has active hyperlinks. By clicking on the quiz links you will be taken to the "end of lesson" quiz."
"This curriculum does not require a specific start date or stop date. Self-study students choose their own preferred deadlines".
"Question: Can I start any time?
Answer: Yes, you can start studying on your own any time."
Secondly, you clearly state on your site that the instruction is free of charge and you only pay for the course if you need transcripts for a school.
"Registration costs money and is only for those who want documentation to provide to their employer, college, school district, or other organization to prove that they have successfully completed a sign language course or to satisfy a foreign language requirement".

I no longer need a transcript (documentation) because I no longer need to satisfy a language requirement for my NYS Teaching Certification, therefore I should not have to pay for your services of giving me a grade and providing me with a transcript.

Thirdly, I did pay you using my fiancées pay pal account, her name is Christina _____ and her e-mail address is cmc_____. You had
mistakenly thought that was my e-mail address and that materials were sent to the wrong person. So you can check your records again because payment was made via PayPal March 23, 2005.

I am sure your site relies heavily on word of mouth advertising as much as anything, and the way you are operating is very shady to say the least. As an educator myself I know in my tenure (the next 25-30 years) I will come across many instances where someone may require the services you provide and I can tell you if I do not receive a refund of my money you will receive no referrals from me, Rita Taylor the sign language teacher from Suffern High School whom referred me in the first place, or any other person, place or entity I am associated with from here on in. To me it is not good business sense to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. (Opting to take a small amount of money now, which could potentially cost you a much greater sum in the future).

Anthony_______

Anthony,

Read the registration letter and you will see that it says:

"I understand that I'm entitled to a full refund for the first 3 days after enrollment. After which there is no refund..."

Notice the critical word is "enrollment" not "after the student gets around to submitting a schedule."

Why do you think I used that exact phrase in the registration letter? To protect me from people like you.

You used me and my program as insurance to make sure you could graduate. Then when you were satisfied you could graduate you turned around and asked for a refund?!?!

That's like one of those people who go "buy" a suit for the big business meeting and then "take it back" the day after for a refund.

What's worse, you then engage in extortion!!! (If Bill doesn't give Anthony money, Anthony will badmouth him to every person, place, or entity Anthony meets for the rest of his life!) --Jeeze, Anthony! Is that how you plan on running your career? Your life?

I'm not intimidated by that sort of thing. My reputation is solid. People know I only want serious students who are actually interested in learning the language and not just signing up for what they misperceive as the shortest, easiest route to get what they want.

Why do think I actively try to talk students out of registering? See the FIRST PAGE of my FAQ section:

<<Question: How do I officially register for the continuing education version of this program?
Answer: You don't want to register for this program. Registration costs money. I suggest you just self-study. If you decide you must have documentation of participation -- you can learn about the registration process by going to...>>

I'll tell you why I try to talk the general public out of registering--because I care about them and I want to save lazy, uncommitted, or shortsighted students from themselves.

Now, on that note, as a courtesy to you I'll help you get started on your smear campaign: I've located Rita's email (the teacher who referred you to me). It is rtaylor@_____ I am cc'ing your email to her.

Then, if you decide, let me know and I'll be happy to send your comments to my newsletter's 6,000 subscribers.
Cordially,

Dr. Bill Vicars

Lifeprint.com

In a message dated 6/12/2005 10:37:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time, adr7t1 writes:

Listen Bill,

I am not trying to intimidate you or engage in a so-called smear campaign against you. I just will not recommend you if anyone asks me or I get the opportunity, which I am sure I will. I am not going to go through the pains of standing on a street corner in the middle of Manhattan and badmouthing you to everyone and all who passes. I am not about that, I am about giving in good faith when shown good faith and you are not showing good faith.

Just so you know, I was not looking for a short cut or the easiest way to graduate, I was graduating whether I took a language course or not. I was shanghaied by my advisor midway through the semester with the news that I needed a language course for my teaching certification. I have a family that I need to support which includes an 18-month-old child, I needed to be able to work as a teacher in the fall. I am not a 20-year-old snot nose punk who just slides by, I am a 34-year-old adult who busted my ass in school and graduated with a 3.87 GPA. If I knew I needed a language before the semester started I would have taken the class at my school and aced it like I aced everything else I took. Unfortunately that was not the case so I needed an alternative because I needed to ensure I would be able to get a job to support my family. It is a matter of survival, period. So I am very far from being lazy, uncommitted, or shortsighted. Because I do see the big picture and that is providing for my family.

The reason you put you little blurb in your registration letter about being entitled to a refund only within 3 days is not to protect yourself from
people like me, because I am an extremely honest and fair person, it is an attempt to give yourself a lame excuse to keep peoples money no matter what, I didn't even get your so called materials within those 3 days. You are operating very shadily & underhandedly. Only scammers and crooks do not back up their goods and services with a reasonable guarantee and or refund policy (and 3 days is not reasonable at all). I am not the one trying to scam you out of money earned because you did not earn my money, I gave it to you in good faith for services which you did give the option could start at anytime. Services never began and in good faith you should have returned my money.

And you are more than welcome to share my comments with your 6,000 subscribers so long as you post all of our correspondence and take nothing out of context. This way maybe I could save the some good natured people like myself in the unsuspecting general public from giving their hard earned money to an unscrupulous person like you.

Salutations,

Anthony_______

Anthony,
You state that you "needed to ensure" you would be able to get a job to support your family.
"Ensure" is another word for "insure."

Insurance costs money. Registering for my course allowed you to ensure (insure) you could graduate. The fact that you never made a claim on the insurance does not entitle you to a refund. Try asking the person who insures your car for a refund using the same attempted logic you used on me: "I never used it so I should get a refund."
Of course you used it. Just because you didn't make a claim doesn't mean that you didn't receive a lot of psychological reassurance that you were "covered."

If you want to get a refund from somebody...get it from your advisor. He is the one who didn't do his job. I did my job:

1. I provided you with materials.

2. I stayed available to receive your assignments.

3. I kept my website active so you could study if you wanted.

4. I made payments to the web hosting provider.

5. I paid money for my DSL connection so I could maintain the site.

6. I kept my email provider so I could receive your emails.

7. I made payments on my physical location so you'd have a place to send your video project.

8. I paid money to upgrade and keep my computer working.

9. I paid money to the domain name registration service.

Your registration fee bought those 9 services.

If I didn't successfully PERFORM all of those services then YOU wouldn't have been able to "ENSURE" that you'd be able to get a job and take care of your family. I notice that you didn't ask for a refund until AFTER you no longer need assurance that you could graduate. (Read that last sentence again. You know what it means? It means that YOU, Anthony, are a scammer.)

The website is STILL up and you are STILL have the opportunity to do the quizzes, research paper, receptive final, and expressive video. The fact that you haven't done those things is similar to how a person signs up for a health club membership and then doesn't go exercise.

"Hi, I'm Anthony and, well, um, I registered with your health club but I never came and exercised so I'd like my money back."
"What? You won't give me my money back? You guys are crooks and shady!"

The club still pays for light, heat, maintenance, staffing, and dozens of other expenses. The fact that you didn't do your part doesn't mean that they didn't do theirs.
--Bill

In a message dated 6/9/2006 4:00:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time, a student writes:

Bill - Question - I will not need the credits, will I be able to return everything for a refund, sorry about the wait, a lot has been going on.

Thank you so much.

Kindly,

Maria

Dear Student,

The registration letter for ASLU includes the following language:

<< I understand that I'm entitled to a full refund for the first 3 days after enrollment. After which there is no refund as long as you provide me with an appropriate curriculum, reasonable access to a qualified ASL instructor for questions for up to a year, reasonable access to the ASL University website or equivalent, and an evaluation of my video. I understand I'm not guaranteed to pass. My grade will be based on how well I do in my studies based on the professional experience of a qualified instructor. I am at least 18 years old and/or submission of payment will indicate permission from my parent. >>

I model this policy on that of the local health club membership.
I provide the three-day refund policy in case someone has second thoughts and wants to change their mind. After which there is no refund. To get the value out of their investment they need to complete the course. (The same as a person who joins a health can't come back six-weeks later and say, "I never used your facilities to exercise, so I want a refund on my membership.)

I once had a student who only enrolled in this course to ensure he had a way to graduate from his local school. Many weeks later he found a way to graduate that didn't require taking this class. He asked for a refund. I pointed out what he had used my course as a type of insurance policy and that just because he never made a claim on that insurance didn't entitle him to a refund. I suggested that he try asking his insurance company for a refund on his car insurance using the same logic he had used on me: "I never used it so I should get a refund" and see what they say. Of course he "used" his insurance policy. Just because he never made claim didn't mean that he didn't receive a lot of psychological reassurance that he was "covered." His insurance company was doing their job covering him just as I was there doing my job:

1. I provided him with materials.

2. I stayed available to receive his assignments.

3. I kept my website active so he could study if he wanted.

4. I made payments to the web hosting provider.

5. I paid money for my DSL connection so I could maintain the site.

6. I kept my email account active via monthly payments so I could receive his emails.

7. I made payments on my physical office location so he would have a place to send his video project.

8. I paid money to upgrade and keep my computer working.

9. I paid money to the domain name registration service to keep the website name registered.
10. I paid the electric bill each month so I could operate the equipment.
If I had not provided those services, he wouldn't have had the assurance (insurance) that he had a way to pass his course and would have had to immediately go register at a brick and mortar college and start attending class.

His registration fee bought and paid for those 10 services.

Cordially,
Bill Vicars