*Please read update on last page. OCCI made right, went above and beyond to accommodate after this post*

Just a heads up to those looking for a 1 day CCW class. My father, an Army vet and retired police officer, and my step mother, a attorney (not defense or corporate), were signed up at the Ohio Concealed Carry Institute for a 1 day CCW class on August 4th. At approx 0300 on 04AUG, my stepmother was rushed to the ER via squad for a 7 hour stay due to gastrointestinal problems. My father contacted OCCI to let them know the situation and to ask for them to be rescheduled. My father offered to provide documentation as to what had happened and did not ask for a refund, simply for them to be slotted in a different class. OCCI said not just no, but hell no. No refund, no reschedule, nothing.

I am loathe to bad-mouth anyone who is a supporter of RKBA and Ohio CCW, but this seems like very poor customer service to me, especially considering the emergency nature of the issue. In addition, a browse of the website does allow you to register for the class, but any disclaimer of no refunds is suspiciously absent. I would caution anyone that is thinking about taking a class there to maybe examine other options first.

hope she is doing better , that said that is some piss poor customer service.

Thanks guys for the well wishes. She is doing OK and will see a specialist this week to find out more. I agree that the business might have been burned by no-shows in the past, but I would think that they should offer SOMETHING due to the emergency situation. I believe that being asked to be rescheduled is the most fair, OCCI could have slotted them in a class that was not full (if this one was) therefore still keeping the business. I don't believe that OCCI is so busy that there wouldn't be room in SOME class, at SOME time in the future.

Citizen,

It would seem to me that the most reasonable thing would be to reschedule into a class with room at a mutually beneficial later date. Thanks for the well wishes.

This is along my line of thinking, however any business that I would like to give my money to would have been a little more understanding and worked with the customer a bit more.

Citizen,

I understand what you are saying. I also deal almost exclusively with small businesses/individuals when it comes to firearms/CCW related issues. Just so you know, I was not a part of this class. I already have my CCW permit and have for several years. I am talking about (2) seats in one class, approximately $150 retail. In my opinion, in a community as small as the central Ohio gun/CCW community, a small business should concern themselves with ensuring that customer service is top priority.

Yes, what I was talking about was a "floating" class date. I don't believe that OCCI is so busy that they couldn't call a week out and say "Hey, we've got two open spots this Sat, you want them?" While this "wait-list" may be a hassle, I think that it is reasonable in the face of good customer service, especially in a small community.

What I really was more upset was the lack of any discourse in the possibility of working out a mutually beneficial solution. It was basically, "sorry no can do, thanks for the free cash." It seems now that OCCI has seen what a few angry customers can do, they are trying to offer some compensation. I hope that this is simply a learning experience for them as small business owners that will help them thrive and succeed in the future.

I really am all for anyone that is promoting RKBA/CCW. I wish they all would succeed beyond anyone's wildest imagination. I just hope we can see that we are all in this together and try to work with each other as friends, not merely clients.

Wow! No compassion at all. I'm certainly glad that I don't have to use them for my training.

You would surely think that in an emergency situation like this that they could make an exception and at least do a re-schedule.

Total turn off for me.

They are basically saying "We got your money" fuck you. I would think about filing a complaint with the Ohio Attorney Generals office.

If it's their policy to request at least 72 hour notice, then that would be a bit overboard.

While it sucks for the OPs parents, it is the companies policy.

Now if people choose not to deal with this company because of this policy, that is up to them.

Refund the money or re-schedule the students. This is unforeseen, and makes poor business practice.

I have accommodated students in the past, it just makes sense.


bigohio

Some businesses have a long term strategy.

Other ones have a strategy of making as much money as quick as possible.


As a business owner , my question isn't "How can I get the most amount of money from this guy" , it is "How do I make this customer a friend for life".

With a "policy" so absolute, should this not be posted on ones website?

No piling on, but IMHO, documented emergency medical issues should deserve a bit of consideration.

+1 on poor business decisioning.

Sad...

I heard through the grapevine that the OP was quite rude & aggressive on the phone with OCCI's owner and even hung up after mumbling some curses. Then the OP posted here without even trying to contact OCCI again to resolve it. I also know, through the grapevine, that the owner will generally work with people who are within the 72 hours as long as they show a proper attitude & can provide documentation of the emergency, apparently the OP wasnt able to show either.

If someone was rude to me, I wouldnt make a exemption for them either.

Ive taken the class they offer here in Columbus/Powell. These are some of the nicest, hard working, dedicated trainers Ive ever meet and their class is just simply awesome! I cant wait to take their Ohio Self Defense and Firearms Law Seminar & the NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home class.