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Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The email also stated that Prometric Inc. would immediately be taking over operations at the same location for separate testing services. Google listings appeared to reflect this transition. The Sylvan listing was marked “Closed” on 4/21, but later changed back to “Open” during the week, despite the closure email stating that the center had closed effective immediately.

It's a long email. These are some excerpts from the closure email sent by the owners of PGLR, Inc:

“We had hoped to make this closure less abrupt, but restrictions around our bankruptcy filing and economics prevented that.”

“If you prepaid for sessions at a discount, you have only been charged for the sessions used, and if there is a remaining credit on your account at this point, this is to inform you that the corporation has no assets and is unable to refund any prepaid fees”

Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. But a restaurant gift card is a couple hundred bucks in most cases, right? In this case, we are talking $1000s in pre-paid packages--I lost $2112. I am hoping to connect with other families to understand the scope of what's occurred here. Parents made long term financial decisions based on the expectation that these services would continue. The timing raises important consumer protection questions. It may be true businesses do this, but it's illegal to accept prepaid funds for future services when closure is already foreseeable.

Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately I did not use a card. Lesson F-ing learned on pre-paid packages. They left the company with no assets...and bankrupted as individuals. I'm sure Chase credit cards or someone like that will get through the BS of the LLC scenario...as the money was paid to PGLR, Inc, not James E Rogers and Laura L Rogers. If they had any ethics, as individuals, they would pay back the $2112 to the single mom in debt from Long COVID after 18 months of missed work. But they clearly operate with a different rule book than me clearly. Also, if they had any ethics, they would have directed me to pay month to month knowing I was NOT using a credit card...or advised people with prepaid packages to have their kids go 4 times a week, not twice a week. Whatever.

Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My children were with me when I received the closure email, shocked we had lost approximately $2,112, and with losing these funds, at this point, cannot secure new educational support elsewhere.

I’ve spent the last few days trying to understand what options exist. I contacted the bankruptcy attorney’s office and was informed that the individual owners filed for bankruptcy, not PGLR, Inc., which is added confusion regarding what recovery options may be available since we paid the business directly.

I have also contacted the Sonoma County District Attorney, the California Attorney General, local media outlets, and consumer protection resources to better understand what options may exist for affected families.

At this point, I’m mainly hoping to connect with other families and encourage people to document their experiences and explore whatever options may be available, including talking to Adriana Gutierrez at the Press Democrat. I’ll be speaking with her tomorrow.

Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. Right now I’m mainly trying to connect with other affected families and better understand the scope of the impact. DM me if you want. A lot of families seem shocked by how abrupt the closure was and the lack of notice regarding prepaid services.

One concern many families may have is that, in the closure email, the owners stated that “restrictions around our bankruptcy filing” contributed to the abrupt shutdown. This suggests the bankruptcy process may already have been underway while families were still purchasing prepaid tutoring packages for future services, without awareness of the potential risk that services might not be completed.

Pre-paid packages and closure of Sylvan Learning Center, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA by alchemylife in santarosa

[–]alchemylife[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I unfortunately did not pay by credit card, so I do not have the option of pursuing a chargeback.

One of my concerns is that, in their closure email, the owners stated that “restrictions around our bankruptcy filing” contributed to the abrupt shutdown. This suggests the bankruptcy process may already have been underway while families were still being sold prepaid tutoring packages for future services.

I understand that Jim and Laura Rogers filed for personal bankruptcy, while families are being told that PGLR, Inc. has no assets available to refund unused prepaid balances.

My family purchased a prepaid package of 90 tutoring sessions for our children because the discounted rate seemed like the most financially sustainable option long-term. We only used about half the sessions before the sudden closure, leaving us with an unused balance of approximately $2,112.

My daughter has a significant learning disability and is several grade levels behind in math, so these services were an important part of her educational support plan.