Appalling service

My son attends The Bridge Morningside Preparatory, an ADvTECH school. In August, ADvTECH's collections team emailed me saying my fees were outstanding and told me to pay by EFT. I paid R12,390 the next day, only to discover the debit order had already gone off. ADvTECH was paid twice, by its own instruction.

I sent proof of payment the same day. No reply. When I followed up, Shared Services confirmed the credit and said a refund would take 7 to 21 working days. A week later they said it was being authorised. Then I was told no refund was due at all, with no explanation, reconciliation or contract clause.

I escalated to Estelle Hirst, who did not reply to my emails of 16 and 21 October. The school's campus bursar, Guinevere Sevenster, told me on 23 October that GSS would call me. Nobody called. Mbali Mokoaleli was not available when I tried to reach her. My ticket has since been marked "resolved" and closed, although nothing has been paid.

Now into month two, five people, contradictory answers and broken promises, and not one person willing to own the problem. This is how ADvTECH treats parents who pay premium school fees.

Parents: check your statements carefully, and keep every email.