This review is long overdue as I've decided to let my experience blow over for several months and for the dust to settle. The reason for the low rating is not based on skill set of the services that we received but it is a truthful overview of the experience we went through here.
Vicki had informed me that masks were required per her policy. Because I had a child too young at the time to be vaccinated I took her word that it would be mandated and enforced during her summer program. Later I would be visiting my at risk, elderly parents out of state and wanted to do everything I could to ensure we would not test positive and have them contract Covid.
On the 2nd day of the program, there were 2 families who refused to allow their children to wear masks. I was verbally accosted being told that masks don't work, and that they weren't required there. Vicki was standing right there when this confrontation occurred and did not intervene to support me and enforce her rules. I'm not going to argue about masks bc this was made into such a political thing n that you cannot convince people to be kind or considerate of others. I choose to respect others and I don't care about inconveniencing myself to preserve someone else's health.
Vicki ultimately complied with their demands, and allowed them to do as they pleased...as my suspicions were that it was about MONEY and NUMBERS...those families had 4 children, I have 1. I was informed that those families were only enrolled for the summer program, nothing else. In the long run, Vicki would have made more money off of us as her summer program was cheap. (It was $800 Monday thru Thursdays 9 to 12 for 6 weeks). We had signed up for 2 private lessons per week, ($70 per hour) so if the math is calculated she really would have earned a generous income with us as we were committing to this for at least 1 year. I even referred friends of mine to her and they immediately withdrew once I told them what had happened to me.
What's unfair is I was following the rules, and what Vicki had asked of us and everyone there. She favored those that refused to follow her rules. Those families, at least the 2 parents I encountered were verbally aggressive and confrontational. I refuse to allow myself or my child be bullied or intimidated. If the parents behave that way, it's not an unfair point to infer that their children will be the same way. I chose to be mature and did not make a scene in front of young children. Kids should not witness adults arguing or fighting, escalating a negative situation to get out of control. Other parents can choose to be disrespectful to others in front of children, but I myself, choose not to.
My point isn't about whether masks work or not. It's that Vicki reneged on what was promised to me and she was not supportive towards me when I asked her to abide by her own policies (she always wore a mask herself). I was told that bc there was no LA county mask mandate, that she could not enforce mask wearing. That's total B.S. She as a business owner had every authority and right to require masks as all clientele are on private property. She choose not to as she was opposed to losing a part of her paycheck and because she wanted to make everyone happy.
I then had a lot of stress after this. I was left scrambling trying to find a place on immediate short notice to enroll my child in another program. Whatever. We are so much happier somewhere else minus the drama n stress.
I've made this anonymous and have not used my real yelp account for fear of our safety. Vicki did tell me that those families meant no harm. Again, thats BS as they instigated the confrontation first as I never initially said anything to them. I do not want to be subject to threats and retaliation. However if I catch wind or news that any of my personal information is disclosed or posted, I have no problem reporting this to BBB, or filing a complaint with FERPA as this is an educational setting. I am entitled by law that all my records will not be shared publicly, especially to other clients. This is not a threat, but Im lawfully following what can be done to protect myself and my identity. I will also notify Yelp or will file a police complaint if I receive any volatile messages and will immediately flag those messages to be looked into as I won't back down if wrong is done to me.
On a note, my money was fully refunded to me, as Vicki did do right by us on this, hence 2 stars, but because of the stressful experience I endured, I knocked it down to 1. We didn't start off wrong with Vicki, as we bought her and her staff coffee in the beginning out of kindness. Hopefully this may serve as a lesson in how to treat clients whom have the integrity to do the right thing. Also, to not make rules that you aren't willing to enforce or follow. There are so many other competing tutoring centers that offer similar services in the general area. Never returning. read more
