Can Shaw Academy be trusted?

In one word….no. And I will tell you why. Back at the start of April, I had this urge to learn new things. Being an adult and going back to school {as it were} is a thing, it’s perfectly OK to do that. I have this temperament that wishes to learn everything at once. Which, I know isn’t possible but that’s just how my brain works. However, I was overwhelmed by the courses available out there and at some great prices, too. I didn’t want anything too heavy, or time-consuming because I am a super busy mum after all! However, I was dazzled by the courses Shaw Academy has to offer. So, I signed up for a 7-day free trial and {stupidly} entered my bank details. Which is a requirement when signing up for most things.

However, due to advice within an hour of doing this, I was advised heavily to steer clear. I didn’t think twice about cancelling both my 7-day free trial and my membership with Shaw Academy there and then. I have emails going back and forth proving that the cancellation was approved. However, on 04/05/2021 I noticed an unauthorised payment from Shaw Academy had been taken from my bank.

Unauthorised payments are not cool…

Immediately and obviously I was furious. I am on furlough after all and losing £49.99 from your account, especially an unauthorised payment isn’t a nice experience. Naturally, I emailed them and was informed that a ticket had been made and I’d hear from them in 24hrs. I also tweeted them and checked the reviews for Shaw Academy on Trustpilot. Needless to say, I wasn’t the only one that unauthorised payments had been taken from and I was also notified that this company is quite unlawful in how they gain their ‘positive reviews’.

So from this standpoint, they aren’t a very trustworthy company in the slightest and my immediate advice to tell you – is to steer clear. The courses look great and I have heard they are good courses. However, if you cannot trust the course as a whole, then no, I cannot recommend this company to anyone, ever.

Refusing refunds & asking for negative reviews to be changed

I have read countless articles that are all basically saying the same thing but from different peoples experiences. I have read countless claims that refunds were being denied, with absolutely no reason. Which is pretty damn unlawful and just theft at the end of the day, let’s be real. And other claims saying that after leaving a negative trust pilot review, they received an email a few days later informing them that a refund has been issued. However, Shaw Academy would then request that the negative review was changed into a positive one. Or to remove the negative review altogether.

Cancelled the account but it was reactivated without permission

Cancelling your Shaw Academy account is not easy. They do not have a phone number to contact unless you go through the cancellation steps on your Accounts and Membership page on your profile. Even then, their offices are always closed. I called at 0958am and was told that their office is closed and their opening hours are between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Clearly, that is not true. Other than this number, there is just their email and their social media platforms.

I also noticed on the day my unauthorised payment was taken that my account was still active. Even though on April 6th 2021, the day I signed up, I have emails informing me of steps to cancel. And so I cancelled it there and then. Yet, somehow, it has been unknowingly reactivated and an unauthorised payment has been taken.

This happened to me with another company before, when a cancellation was put through, accepted and still an unauthorised payment was taken. I truly do not know how these companies can get away with doing this to people. It is so unlawful and just downright, not cool.

Shaw Academy cannot be trusted

I do hope to get my refund issued and on that, I will keep you guys posted. However, you can read the awful reviews for Shaw Academy on AllReviews.com – they are shockingly bad. So if you are looking for a course to learn at your own time, at home. Look for another, more reputable company, I beg of you.

I’ll keep you posted on the outcome. If I get one…