OK, everyone, let's start a new leaf. Share what is known about the company or ideas on pursuing the complaints - but leave disparaging comments out.
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OK, everyone, let's start a new leaf. Share what is known about the company or ideas on pursuing the complaints - but leave disparaging comments out.
No disrespect taken, it is purely for my own curiosities sake. Not that I do not believe you, so please don't think that. But, if you do have a letter, as they have actually spoken to me and are not ignoring me (they do not know who I am), I may be able to talk to them directly for you, which I would be willing to do. But again, not if you are uncomfortable. I think it is clear that being able to discuss even one specific issue with TWU would benefit all parties involved, but obviously I can't make you be willing to do so.
I know it is already said, but they won't start an investigation unless they get more complaints. Even if the several people posting in here complain more than once, it is still going to be viewed as only a few complaints. In their eyes, there are still many more satisfied dealings with the company than otherwise. Just a thought.
-D
In who's eyes are there many more satisfied dealings than otherwise? Where are the people who had these dealings?
In the eyes of the authorities to whom you have complained.
TWU has been around since circa 1986. If everyone has been treated as poorly by them as the handful of people here, it is highly doubtful that they would still be operating as a business. I will admit that I do not know the exact number of students who have done business with TWU, so that is largely based on an assumption of mine.
I am just trying to see this situation from different angles, if you do not want me to try and do so, it's fine. Though please don't complain about not being able to get any help on the matter when I have offered to try and help resolve some of the issues.
How many people post in here anyway? Is there any way for a moderator to let me know how many individuals have mentioned a complaint in this blog?
Just curious
-D
In this instance, the party involved would be the State Attorney General.
"I am just trying to see this situation from different angles, if you do not want me to try and do so, it's fine. Though please don't complain about not being able to get any help on the matter when I have offered to try and help resolve some of the issues."
I feel like a broken record. Kenobi4, you seem to be the only one to have found positive feedback regarding TWU, and in the interest of seeing another side to this issue, we have asked over and over where your information comes from. I don't think anyone is likely to take your assessment without backup.
I said from the beginning that I was only posting in here out of curiosity, and it was true. MommaRobbie, you have neither asked nor answered a question that I can see, therefore you require no response. Burned, I am not offering to get your money back, I am merely suggesting that instead of arguing over the same issues with the same people and getting nothing done, I would be willing to act as a liaison of sorts on yours and all upset parties behalf.
I have no connection with them, I just live in the same general area, therefore making it much simpler for me to actually talk to them. As I said, I have had little problem making contact.
Though Momma, I will say this. It is NOT TWUs responsibility to make sure their customers are happy with their placement. They cannot guarantee all every request that they receive, though I am certain they do their best. For instance, TWU cannot guarantee a child's placement in a Christian home. In this instance people must understand how difficult it would be to get a foreign home to take in a child they don't know in there first place. All TWU does is find placement, enroll them in classes, and provide contact numbers if anythign goes wrong. Once they have found placement, and done the legwork for the trip, it is no longer justifiable to ask for a complete refund just because of some detail that could not be fulfilled in the destination country.
It reminds me of when I worked at Blockbuster Video in college. Too many customers would come in asking for their money back, usually because they did not enjoy the movie. If not that, they'd ask for credits on late returned items. If everyone who had a small gripe with a company complained and expected and received a refund, it would pretty much destroy the economy. Businesses cannot be so lenient.
I am neither naïve nor with TWU, and to say so is a violation of the rules of this site. I SERIOUSLY doubt they never sent you that check. But as you are not willing to prove you even received this "letter", I have no reason to believe it exists and no reason to believe you have a valid complaint against the company.
Gloria, sorry sorry... work is keeping me busy. As I promised Curlyben, I will post links to pos feedback when time permits.
-D
I don't understand. Why would you accuse burnedby of those things; what could you possibly think would be their motivation? And why do you think that as a total stranger you are entitled to documentation from them? Your combative attitude won't be successful as a liaison for upset parties. Your Blockbuster anecdote wasn't exactly on point, I think. Companies absolutely have a duty to provide for the safety and well being of the children they have agreed to place in foreign homes, and again, if you re-read the previous posts, I think you will see that you have missed or glossed over some important details. If companies were not expected to deliver what they promise THAT would be what would pretty much destroy the economy.
And they charge $11,270 for that service? Something is wrong somewhere since, for that money, they can't even seem to perform those services.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenobi4
So, in less than six months 5500 people came by and not one stopped to give positive feed back for TWU, with the exception of the plants by Two Words United themselves. I have done quite a bit of googling on this myself in the last few days and I have turned up nothing positive either.
To: KENOBI4, please be advised and make no mistake that you do not have my consent- express or otherwise to represent, liase or act on my behalf in any capacity. I need to be done for right now as there is absolutely nothing I would like to add that I would be allowed to say.
I just sent this email to the email addresses that we have on file for what seems to be TWU employees/representatives that signed up with usernames on this site:
They may or may not choose to accept our "olive branch", however if they do, please take this as a reminder that we are serious about moderating the thread to be sure that it remains professional.Quote:
Originally Posted by email from rickj
Thank you.
No member of this site "represents" any other member. Members are free to post here, and, if they choose, act upon what they learn here. That's what the sharing of information is all about.Quote:
Thank you.
Back to post #134--sorry mods, cannot figure out how to do excerpts of posts and all that other cute stuff everyone else seems to know--(J-9, a private tutorial maybe?) Anyway, Kenobi, before you go much further, I think it would be most elucidating to the board if you could address the questions posed in #134, particularly in light of your subsequent posts. It seems to me that the questions and facts are directly presented, however, the answers and comments don't appear to be on point. If this is a communication issue, please let me/us know and we will try to break things down for you. As everyone has a slightly different story, I know that the details can run together.
In that regard, I'd like to direct you to the TWU website, particularly where they describe the experience they will deliver to the student. (Again, I have the quoting issue), but to my point in particular, there is a lengthy description of how the student will be "a part of the family". Was I not to rely on that information and the subsequent email I received from Sarah Campbell? I know it's a leap of faith to believe that such an email exists, but several AG's have copies as does TWU. (If they didn't keep their own, more than one gov't agency has provided them with a copy of mine.)
And of course, there is entire experience I have had with TWU--I won't repeat it here, it's on my website cited earlier in this thread. In front of God, Sarah Campbell and an associate of mine, on speakerphone, Carlos Diez screamed that he was sending my son home and that I would get refund.
Okay, be me. My kid is at least 14 hours ways from me (in a perfect world) and the company that I entrusted him to apparently could care less about his welfare. The answer is so simple it hurts. You get your kid out of those people's clutches as fast as you can. Period. Any contract is only as good as the parties entering into it---think about it.
RickJ--TWU wants to come on as themselves, fine, I'm all for it--it's clear that this forum has affected their bottom line as has my website and others. How do I know? Got a letter from their attorney demanding that I "Cease and Desist".
I'm still out a considerable sum of money, and I believe that my critique of TWU is not unlike (borrowing from the earlier Blockbuster analogy), a critique of a movie. Been there, done that, here's why I didn't like it much. As far as I know, no one has to listen, heed or think a heck much of my experiences or my opinion. But, I have the what is true for us on my side. And, I'd like to think that even today, a reputable company would say: "How can I fix this for you? How can we reach an amicable conclusion to our transaction. Haven't seen it from TWU and neither have all the others on this thread and the bloggers on my website.
By the way, at no time during any of this nightmare have I concealed my identity, not on my site, not on this thread. Can TWU say the same?
By the way, can anyone tell me how to get rid of the various Africans that are offering me miilions daily on my email?
And where are my birthday wishes?
!Feliz Cumpleanos a ti, Sra. Iugraham! Och bra fodelsedag! I agree that a lot of questions remain unanswered, unadressed, or just ignored. I googled again today and found several problem TWU sites, and jillions of TWU company sites, but nothing positive on their behalf. They have addresses as .com and .org both, and call themselves a foundation. Are they non profit? Are they bound by rules of 501C3's?
I take it we are still waiting for positive comments?
I was thinking he was finally won over by all your evidence and rational arguments.
Wait, what happened to NeedKarma? There was a post a little bit ago and it's gone. What happened?
I don't think the mods liked it so it's gone. Not a big deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by GloriaLee
Okay, lets talk about coincidences for a moment. Kenobi4 is from the "same general area" as Two Worlds United. Hey, maybe those Floridians stick together or...
Why is it when you dial up a Two Worlds United fax # it switches to a # in Reston, VA where Global Learning Semesters is located?
I really have a hard time believing in random coincidence. What do you think?
And, beating the very dead horse again, I can't help but point out the loss of our want to be fix it guy: Kenobi4. Just can't come up with those glowing reports?
And really, where is TWU?
Chale! Look at all that's happened... I should get on here more often seeing as how I can... well,all I can say is que mala onda... TWU is still up to no good... well, here's something for TWU, its part of my favorite song but here
"your heavens a lie"
Thanks for the comment on my slang... is it that safe to post something like that here in this forum?Quote:
Originally Posted by LiLcUpPyCaKe
Hi, It's horrible what I heard about two worlds united, 'til that point I couldn't even imagine that it is possible that a company can still exist with just cheating people. I was wondering where your daughter wanted to go for an exchange.
-Miriam-
Where will your son spend his exchange year?
Who are you asking?
Maybe Kenobi finally found a way to leave our grand country and took it. Sr.Karlos, where did you send him?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenobi4
So trying to follow the rules here---but doesn't it seem the least bit strange that Kenobi4 who offered to liase for us is gone?
Maybe TWU contacted through this site believes it would be an "admission" to respond. I get that. Rick or CurlyBen, any ideas as how to invite TWU to respond without the admission? Do we really care? Can you send them a non-askme email?
I'm just thinking that if we let them come on without a prior admission, that would be reasonable. Since I am precluded by a letter from their attorney, (although I am about 2 minutes from complying with that) I can't contact them directly. I know that Rickj sent a note through their contact site, but now that we know their address? Let's think.
I guess I was beginning to have higher hopes for Sr. Kenobi than slinking off into the noche. Next?
IUGR, I don't really get what admission TWU would be making via a post on this thread; at least what more admission than they have already made by posting under assumed identities. Also, I don't understand why a letter of demand or threat from their (TWU's) attorney has any enforceability. Wouldn't an order by a court of law be required to keep you ,or anyone else, as a dissatisfied customer from making inquires about your horrible situation and possible remedies? I wonder if the SBA has any influence on such a puny and incompetent yet destructive entity. It seems a strong possibility that many young lives will be/are being adversely affected while the AG considers this frightening situation.
Good points. I guess I'm just trying to figure out why TWU doesn't stop hiding and just come forward and answer all of us. It's clear that Kenobi couldn't come up with any pro TWU sites... I guess I was (am) just speculating as to why TWU doesn't drop all pretense and respond. Interesting comment about the SBA, but again I think the problem is that they have no "enforcement" capability. And, yes, you are right about the demand letter---it's purely sabre rattling. As to the various Ags---we wait.
I too have had a less than desirable experience with this company. Fortunately, I learned quickly and withdrew my application with them after we accused them of committing mail fraud. I believe that I am one of the very few people that was able to get refunded. If yo want to do an exchange, choose a reputable organization like AFS or Rotary that has been long established. Don't be fooled by flashy websites. I am now going next year with AFS and I couldn't be happier about the support AFS has given me. Switching to a reputable organization could possibly the most important decision you could ever make.
I need to start coming on this thing more... one question on my mind still remains... how low will Two Worlds United stoop before they realize that they have dug themselves deep in the lions pit?
It is truly amazing that Two Worlds United is still in business. I have a web-site at www.twoworldsunited.info and have seen some great discussion here as well as hearing from people who are not using this agency because of a lack of concern and professionalism in TWU's part.
My daughter who was sent to England had a lot of the same expereinces that I have read on this board. She was sent to a foster home there and had very little contact with the country coordinator. She was put in a compromising position by a twelve year old in the home and came home immediately, this after a little over a month with the program. TWU denied anything could have happened as well as the foster parents who owned the home. Naturally, no refunds were given for the year program.
I just want to encourage anyone who would consider going with TWU that they save themselves a lot of heartache and money and find a sending organization that has an idea about how to run a business. Our daughter is still in counseling over the issues about TWU and our lives have been severely impacted by them. Still to date, no response from Two Worlds or their attorney. No real surprise there...
I used to work for this company in the 'Tampa' office, and I can tell you first hand that this is not a reputable company, they are completely unorganized, and I would advise anyone to do a lot of research before sending their children abroad with this company. I witnessed incidents firsthand, and I know they currently have several active complaints with the Better Business Bureau. The Tampa office has closed several times due to mismanagment, has had to move offices, and has a bad reputation with the local business commuity. My dealings with the California office were brief but when I questioned their lack on information on what the programs would entail, or how participants could contact their host family to confirm, I was told those details were not available.
Thanks so much for validating what we've been saying all along. Can you tell us how long you worked there and if you were aware of any of the complaints listed here? What was the procedure for handling complaints and problems? I for one would be very appreciative of any details you could give us.
Ohhhhh--I so love you for writing in. Can you devulge a bit more about the project? My fear is that they will shut down TWU and /or operate under a different name. Email me if you don't want to talk here. I promise I will not repeat anything you've told me privately without your express consent. Thanks so much for your contribution!
Have you read this thread? You should get the answers you are looking for there.
I was about to fill out prelim application and became suspicious. Glad I looked.
Apparently I am not worthy of TWU's attention. Haven't heard a peep and I too am not surprised.
Please do not send you child with this group.
Kkac,
You should build a web page and post the pictures. We'd help advertise the site.
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