This is a negative review for StandOut, a product positioned to help college students practice interviewing tactics and operated by CollegeNET, Inc. in Portland.
WEBSITE: standout.com
I fell victim to this company's deceptive advertising / marketing regarding subscription renewals.
The deception is that StandOut's 3-month and 6-month subscriptions are made to look as if they do not renew – no communication is sent about renewal - and automatic renewals are not refundable.
BACKGROUND
On Mar. 12, 2023, I purchased a 3-month subscription of StandOut, a product owned by COLLEGENET for $69 using the webpage, https://my.standout.com/sign-up. The webpage says subscriptions are either monthly, 3-months, or 6-months.
After reading this page, my understanding was that the 3-month and 6-month options do not automatically renew. This webpage has no links to any terms of service or any fine print.
On Jun. 12, 2023, COLLEGENET charged me $69 to my surprise.
Although CollegeNET sends me marketing emails, I received no notice that the charge would take place, and I received no email receipt once the charge had taken place.
On my credit card, the charge appeared from COLLEGENET CollegeNEPORTLAND OR
On Jun. 15, 2023, I saw the charge in my Amex app and emailed CollegeNET to request a refund of the $69 and to ensure future charges do not renew.
On Jun. 15, 2023, CollegeNET denied my request for a refund stating, “When you subscribed to StandOut, you agreed to our Terms of service which states you need to cancel your subscription at least 48 hours before the end of the current period to avoid the next recurring subscription charge. Our Terms of Service also state we do not offer refunds of subscription payments made.”
CONCLUSION
CollegeNet is engaging in deceptive advertising tactics for its StandOut practice interviews application and hiding behind fine print which isn't disclosed upfront.
This is especially egregious because the product is marketed toward college students.
It's surprising CollegeNET is getting away with this because it's located in Oregon. For all of its progresive politics, Oregon doesn't seem the type of state that would allow deceptive advertising like this.
StandOut Reviews
This is a negative review for StandOut, a product positioned to help college students practice interviewing tactics and operated by CollegeNET, Inc. in Portland.
WEBSITE: standout.com
I fell victim to this company's deceptive advertising / marketing regarding subscription renewals.
The deception is that StandOut's 3-month and 6-month subscriptions are made to look as if they do not renew – no communication is sent about renewal - and automatic renewals are not refundable.
BACKGROUND
On Mar. 12, 2023, I purchased a 3-month subscription of StandOut, a product owned by COLLEGENET for $69 using the webpage, https://my.standout.com/sign-up. The webpage says subscriptions are either monthly, 3-months, or 6-months.
After reading this page, my understanding was that the 3-month and 6-month options do not automatically renew. This webpage has no links to any terms of service or any fine print.
On Jun. 12, 2023, COLLEGENET charged me $69 to my surprise.
Although CollegeNET sends me marketing emails, I received no notice that the charge would take place, and I received no email receipt once the charge had taken place.
On my credit card, the charge appeared from COLLEGENET CollegeNEPORTLAND OR
On Jun. 15, 2023, I saw the charge in my Amex app and emailed CollegeNET to request a refund of the $69 and to ensure future charges do not renew.
On Jun. 15, 2023, CollegeNET denied my request for a refund stating, “When you subscribed to StandOut, you agreed to our Terms of service which states you need to cancel your subscription at least 48 hours before the end of the current period to avoid the next recurring subscription charge. Our Terms of Service also state we do not offer refunds of subscription payments made.”
CONCLUSION
CollegeNet is engaging in deceptive advertising tactics for its StandOut practice interviews application and hiding behind fine print which isn't disclosed upfront.
This is especially egregious because the product is marketed toward college students.
It's surprising CollegeNET is getting away with this because it's located in Oregon. For all of its progresive politics, Oregon doesn't seem the type of state that would allow deceptive advertising like this.