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My experience with COINED proved to be a very disappointing one. They claim to be an organization that promotes learning and experiencing Argentina by providing a network of friends and family. Sadly, they don't seem to provide the friends/family support to travelers during emergencies.
I signed up for a week long course in Buenos Aires with accomodations. I paid $450 and was immediately informed that I could not stay in the neighborhood in which I was told I could stay (Palermo). I had to stay in a much less desirable area. A few days before I was to begin the program, there was a death in my family and I had to leave Argentina and fly home to the US. COINED was very inflexible about refunding my money. There was a miscommunication about my options and when I requested the minimum amount returned, COINED refused. Emails to the manager were not returned. Basically, COINED took my $450 and would not work with me despite the family emergency.
If you are looking at school in Argentina, I suggest you avoid COINED in case your travel plans change. They seem all too happy to keep your money for no reason at all.
The telephone/Skype/internet representative named Maria is super nice, but the manager should be ashamed of himself for not working with someone dealing with a family emergency. $450 is nothing compared with the stress of a family emergency.
Response from COINED INTERNATIONAL :
Dear Sean:
We have checked this particular situation, in every cases we should follow the terms and conditions which says:
Cancellations are applicable to Spanish Courses, Accommodation and Fees. - Full payment of the program must be received at least 2 weeks before the course starts. If COINED does not receive the payment, we will cancel the booking and keep the initial deposit. The bank charges will be incurred by the student. - Cancellation fees are as follows:
a) 5 weeks before the course starts, no charges;
b) 2 weeks to 5 weeks before the course starts, lose deposit of U$S 150;
c) Less than 2 weeks before the course starts, 30% of the program + deposit of U$S 150;
d)After the course has started, no refunds provided.
- All refunds have an administrative charge of 10% on the amount refunded.
- Cancellations are valid only when they are made by email to the following address: [email protected] by letter or fax.
In each case, cancellation fees and administrative charges are applicable.
- COINED will not review its cancellation policies in any situation, even if cancellations are due to personal emergencies, illnesses, or accidents. -
Nevertheless, COINED made an exception and offered you a second option: keep your booking effective for the next six months, to come back and be part of the Intensive Spanish course.
We are really sorry for your painfull situation, but we always must follow terms and conditions.
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Cordoba - Argentina
