It was a difficult decision deciding whether or not to leave a review, but since Mathnasium provides services to children, I really feel compelled to share my experience.
My son is only in kindergarten but loves math and asked if he could do an after school math class. It was not easy finding a facility that was willing to work with my son since he was so young--I quickly found that most programs start at 1st or 2nd grade.
Mathnasium Glenview seemed like it could be a solution. The manager, Scott, was terrific and recognized right away what a unique opportunity it was to work with a young child, who more than likely could become a student for many years to come. He set us up with weekly private lessons with Mr. Bob (who is a GEM--wonderful man, really).
Fast forward 6 months...I had just signed paperwork for an ongoing credit card charge for the sessions. All seemed to be going just fine until I got an email from Sam, a new "interim" manager. Without any explanation, he said they were going to discontinue our weekly lessons as soon as the school year ended and that I needed to reply in 48 hours to "approve" this--which of course I didn't. I went in person to speak with him to find out what was going on.
What I was told was that working with my son "wasn't profitable enough" (his exact words) and that they wanted to put him in a group class (which they told me initially would be way too much for him at his young age). They also started the upsell on how they feel 'very strongly' that my son would benefit from twice weekly sessions. So...it was quite clear that they decided the private lessons they suggested and offered weren't making them enough cash so they would try to see if I might believe that this was in my son's best interest, which of course it wasn't--it was in theirs. We agreed I needed to speak to the owner as next steps.
I was shocked to find they charged my credit card for another batch of sessions that day; especially considering they emailed to ask for my approval and they *did not get approval.* I called the owner, Steve; instead of returning my call he emailed me back (something I find unprofessional).
He told me he would refund my money but would charge me a $25 administrative fee--to have the *unauthorized* charge properly reversed. What?! I really could not believe it. I emailed back to of course say I did not think this was right nor did I understand the rationale.
Steve, promptly replied with a terse email that he would refund the unauthorized charge and he would not charge the administrative fee, but that we were not allowed to resume services with Mathnasium effective immediately. He never called me back to have a professional discussion.
And just like that he terminated services for my son, without giving him a chance to say goodbye to the teacher he liked so much. I find these business practices to be completely unjust, unethical and unsavory. I hope if you go to this facility you have a different experience. It's really been a nightmare for us. read more