Beware of Playsport!

[mic mic]

I am writing to any parent consider enrolling their child to Playsports courses. They do not deliver their services as promised and when asked for a refund, have lagged for months with unanswerable phone calls (disconnected for a period of time) and emails (no reply or a reply with excuse that office is closed).
My child has attended only 1 class for Soccer tots in early May and consequent classes were either no show or canceled without reason.
Several parents in our group have experienced the same thing and are asking for refunds without much success. Four months later, I am still waiting for my refund.

Please be aware before considering or enrolling. I hope no more parents are going through this painful process of getting their money back.

 

[rani]

Had the same problem with them 7 yrs ago! Took me forever to get my refund as well. They promised to return my cheque (not enough sign ups and class was cancelled) and deposited it instead. Took me close to 4 months to get my money back. The owner told me to "Give Him a Break"! Was calling him constantly.

 

[mic mic]

7 years ago?? my god.. It seems like no one has spoken out about this. They somehow do end up giving your money back. After a VERY LONG time of chasing and calling. There is something very fishy going on with this organization. When request for a refund, they just say they will handle asap, but unlike a proper company, they do not offer you alternative classes or ask you to try something else. Seems like they are aware they have taken your money for other uses. And the classes are not the key priority of their business.

And the recently had the nerve to send an email to promote their Fall Courses which angers me because they have not fulfilled their summer program commitments and refunds.

 

[Janeym]

Calling all unhappy Play Sport parents

Hi, we paid up for classes that didn't exist. They cashed the cheque then cancelled the classes when they should have started, citing renovations at the sports centre. I called the sports centre and there were no renovations. Play Sports hadn't even booked the venue. So they took our money knowing there wouldn't be any classes. I'm thinking of making a report to police. Am interested to hear from other parents, particularly those who paid the money and got nothing in return. I've called loads of times and it just goes to msg. They have ignored my emails asking for a refund.

 

[rani]

In addition to the Police, call the consumer council and see if they can help.

 

[wykamy]

I was recently contacted by my bank that Playports changed the year of a cheque I wrote them over a year ago for a course that was cancelled because of low registration and cashed it recently. I tried contacting them to no avail for a refund. My bank has filed a police report already. But has anyone else encountered the same problem?

 

[MommyTo3]

Wow! Definitely contact the police. The more the better!

 

[LAlovesJBD]

I have written emails, left voicemails (when the box wasn't full, which is most of the time) and sent texts to withdraw from a current class and to request a refund with no response whatsoever.

First, the class was meant to be held at Stanley Ho Sports Centre, an outside turf venue, which is what my sons begged for, otherwise I would have chosen a different organization. PlaySport sent a text to say that due to circumstances beyond their control, that willl not be possible because renovation at Stanley Ho was underway. Likewise, the initial classes were cancelled at the last minute, so the start date of this semester was pushed back for three weeks. Subsequently, the classes were moved to West Island School, where the text message stated said that there would be free parking and would start at "10 a.m. sharp!". We arrived on time and all parking was gated off and the entrance doors were locked. My husband parked on the street (and received a ticket). We could not gain access to the school for at least 20 minutes. All the doors were locked. We waited along with other families who were equally confused and frustrated. I called and texted their number and received no response. When the guard finally let us in, the class was already underway somehow. No explanation was given about how we were to get inside. The class is being held on a dirty open concrete basketball court. Other parents were also disgruntled about the lack of commuication and the circumstances.

Also, some of them had signed up for mini sports and rugby yet all kids and all ages were grouped into this soccer class. My 2 year old has different needs and skill level than my 4 year old, but they were never separated for different exercises.

I also paid for a uniform for my 2-year-old which was said to be mandatory, yet none of the children other then my eldest was wearing a uniform and the coach on site said he did not have the uniform I had paid for.

None of it was delivered as promised. They cashed the HK$5,950 check right away and now are nowhere to be found. I talked to one of the trainers last Sunday and he said he was equally confused and mismanaged. Besides the Consumer Council, is there any other recourse?

 

[howardcoombs]

Besides the Consumer Council, is there any other recourse?

CC are toothless and wont be able to do very much.
For $6000 I'd go with this : http://www.judiciary.gov.hk/en/crt_services/pphlt/html/sc.htm

 

[bbd]

A few years back I switched to Ole soccer / tiny tots. Much happier with the classes and organization.