Typical helpful Computeach right there. I've just had a quick look through the terms and conditions PDF I recieved in 2008 for you. I could find no mention of materials only being released once the previous stage of the course has been completed anywhere. Maybe they could highlight where abouts this is specified (not that I doubt their honesty or anything)? It would be interesting to know where you stand legally with this. Maybe citizens advice? Bloody hell, you give them 3 grand and they have the cheek to make it seem you are being unreasonable to ask for a couple of books!! And giving you extra time, they make it sound so generous, how dare they - they could give you 100 years study time and it doesn't cost them a penny until you start using your tutor and taking the exams. BBC Watchdog, this company is screaming out for investigation.

Don't take 'no' for an answer. Just remember they're your books that you've paid for and that you're in the right. I was amazed when they actually tried to prevent me getting hold of them.

The tutor was useless for me, wouldn't even reply to my emails when I questioned his decisions. Customer services were just as bad too, after 2 or 3 emails they stopped replying. Eventually after several more and when I explained I couldn't finish the first course with them since I was taking the exam elsewhere they finally agreed to release the material that I'd already paid for on condition I terminated our contract. Needless to say my only though was "where do I sign!". I can only suggest nagging them and hope the give in (you've paid for it after all, they have no right to withhold it). Probably the worst customer services I've every encountered in my life, anyone reading this thinking about signing up with them DON'T. I don't know anyone who has a good word to say about them.

They're useless, absolutely bloody useless. I asked them to enter me into an exam they demanded I score NINETY PERCENT in a mock, even though the pass mark for the actual exam was 70%. In the end I entered the exam myself via Prometric and passed with more than 900/1000. I had to nag for all my study materials to finally be released, which they only did when I agreed to terminate the course with them (a great deal if you ask me, get my books and get shot of Computeach at the same time!) Anyone reading this do yourself a favour; take 100 quid down to the local bookshop, buy the MS official book in whatever course it is you are doing (and a few others to ensure you have plenty of material) and do it yourself. Sign up with Measure up (who Computeach use anyway) and get your help from Googling and web forums rather than the tutors. The exams usually cost less the £100 with Prometric and there are places you can sit the exams all over the UK. All in all about £300. I wish I'd known this 2 years ago. Already revising for my next exam in december. That'll be 2 out of 3 passed in 3 months after nearly 2 years of not passing anything with Computeach. 3 grand for a few books, and a tutor who I never used anyway (forums are a far better source of information).

Here's a sample of the sort of help I'm getting. This is a discussion with the salesman who sold me the package trying to get the rest of the course material. -------------------------------------------- To me just now I am unable to help you, sorry -------------------------------------------- Sent: 20 September 2010 10:30 From me Subject: RE: Course material They’re not replying --------------------------------------------- Sent: 20 September 2010 10:30 To me Subject: RE: Course material Hi Gary, You need to contact customer care as per your previous emails. Regards Alex ------------------------------------------- From me Sent: 20 September 2010 09:40 Subject: RE: Course material I’m taking the exam privately (ie outside of Computeach) because you’re preventing me taking it. Therefore I won’t be finishing this module with you. So can I have the material I have paid, alternatively a refund. ------------------------------------------ To me Sent: 17 September 2010 17:31 Subject: RE: Course material Hi Garry, Unfortunately no I cant sorry, because the modules are sent out on a module by module basis, so when you pass an Exam you get the next module. Regards Alex ----------------------- From me Sent: 17 September 2010 17:27 Subject: Course material I’ve requested my tutor forwards me the course material for my remaining courses but he isn’t replying to my messages. Could you get this sent out to me? Thanks Garry

Customer care have not responded to my last 3 messages either and my tutor hasn't replied to my message asking for further clarity on why 90% was required and how blocking me accessing my exam was in my interests.

Hi, 2 years ago I took on 3 courses with Computeach for Microsoft certification. It is now 2 months until the course ends. Computeach supply a mock exam which is supposed to mirror the real exam. However the real exam requires a pass mark of 70%, while Computeach demand a score of 90% from the mock (I've yet to get an explanation for why it is so high). In my last run of the mock I got 66%. That was about 6 months back. I've since read through the course material and feel I'd have a great chance of scoring 70% and passing the real exam, however Computeach will not enter me into the exam until I pass their mock with a score of 90%, which I feel is unachievable. At least 4 of the questions asked are not even covered by the training material! I can see them angling to try and sell me a 3 month extension already. I asked them to enter me regardless, as with only 2 months to go I feel I have nothing to lose even if I fail it's no worse than not taking it at all. The tutor Adrian O'Brien refused, giving a 1 line response and being thoroughly unhelpful. The person who sold me the course also refused to get involved, and "customer care" said they could do nothing either. On top of this they are refusing to release the course material for the remaining 2 courses until I pass the first exam, which I am now taking outside of Computeach. No mention of this mock exam or the pass mark being a mandatory requirement to be entered into the real exam was made when I was sold the course. Neither was I told I'd not be allowed all my material at once. I was wondering what legal avenues I could go down to recoup my £3000 fees as I don't feel they are giving me the product I paid for?