Portobello scam or not?

Michellexx

Hi all, just looking to hear from anyone that applied or attended a course in portobello? NO exaggeration I've been contacting the college about a refund since AUG 2012 and want to know if this is happening to other people??? I've told my story numerous of times to each time a different person on admin/reception??? In applying for the childcare level 5 course to ease into it & deciding I could hopefully work my way up to their higher levels which i chose this college for.its turned me off the course altogether. I was misinformed as they politely put it that my refund would be reviewed firstly early December, second time early Jan and lastly by the end of this month. I was not told in the first month of joining the course that there was a refund form when I first asked for the refund. They had the cheek to tell me I may not receive it all which I said I will not accept!!!! I was only told nov of 2012 that there is a refund form. My reasons were it was an online distance learning course, I had absolutely no feedback meant to be online tutors (any tutor seems to be impossible to get to speak to) It was only today Jan 2013 that I was told to speak to someone in charge you would have to ring between 10 and half 1/2pm could they not have told me this last aug???? One receptionist said they lost my number and there had been a change in some staff so that's why they probably lost my details???? The only replys I got when I really started to complain was an email from someone in charge I presume stating when the first exams were??? As if that wasn't smart enough I really gave out on the phone one day to be told they were updating courses all the time, that evening I got on the website to see they "temporarily closed" all childcare courses with the exception of 2 ( 1 being the one i applied for) . As I initially stated my choice was that portobello had a good name?? Now I think that was years ago?? With the choice of courses on offer & the fact I could work my way up so to speak this was deflated when I seem the website nothing no phone call and it seemed a very smart move on their behalf. Today I told them I will speak to my solicitor if I don't get it all in full back. I'm only 26 and its only €278.00 but its the principal of it. They can't just take my money and do nothing???? And I really would like to know has anyone else experienced this with them??? If so they can't be doing this???