I signed up to take the Flowers class in October. We had the first class. The second class ended up being a cake and gossip class. The instructor said that the last class was short so we had time to make up what we were missing. Then the third and fourth classes got canceled. We met once at the instructor's house in November, but only got through the rosebud and one other flower.

Every time we try to reschedule, she ends up having to cancel. What should I do? It's the last class I need to complete and just want to get it done. I hate to throw away the money that I've already paid for the class, but I'm tempted to go elsewhere just to finish. I tried to join her December class, but she said there was no class due to no one signing up.

My time is going to be very tight the next few months and I can't continue setting aside time only to have her cancel on me. Not to mention, I arrange for my baby to stay at the sitter so I'm the money for that. Does Wilton provide any kind of recourse for this type of situation? I know things happen and it's been the holidays, but we should have been able to finish up by now. I had a bad situation with the first instructor I took a class from too.

I can't believe you are going through that... It sounds very unprofessional. I feel so bad for you

Have you tried posting your query in the wilton forum? I think there are some wilton instructors there who may be able to help you out. Also, try to call wilton and tell them about your situation. They shoud be able to fix this situation.

Good luck. I hope it all works out for you

I would call them too, good Luck and hopefully you will be able to finnish your course

I would call them too, good Luck and hopefully you will be able to finnish your course

Like above, I feel you should get in touch with Wilton over this. You paid for your classes and probably supplies too. This is VERY unprofessional for an instructor especially one carrying the Wilton name.
You paid for a service you did not receive.

I am a Wilton Instructor and it is my understanding the all Wilton Instructors do have a Wilton Supervisor they report their monthly tracking to, you do have that option. Go through the customer service line on the Wilton website. There are two sides to this issue but we as instructors are told that if a student wants to make up a lesson that was missed they can join in on the next available course because you have already paid for the course. Unfortunately we as instructors also have to meet our minimum number of students before a class can be held this is normally the store and Wilton's policy, not ours. I would personally talk with the Wilton Instructor and the store manager about your dissatisfaction with the course there may be some sort of resolution available there. Hope this helps.

A WMI should never teach outside of the store. I would discuss your issue with the store manager as well as Wilton.

What were the reasons lesson three and four were canceled? If it was for weather that is one thing. If the WMI keeps canceling due to personal reasons then the store needs to be made aware of it.

You paid for the class and it sounds like you didn't get what you should have. Personally at this point after making the manager aware of how unhappy you are with the way the WMI conducted classes I would go somewhere else to take it, especially since this has been going on for months.

As a Wilton Method Instructor I would suggest you speak with the store manager and request a refund. The instructor is paid to teach you for 8 hours, either 2 hrs per week or anyway the insructor & students agree upon. The instructor has already been paid and you haven't received product (classes) for what you have paid for.

If you can't get a refund I would contact customer service at Wilton about the problem. I'm very sorry you are having this problem. I have only had to cancel a class once in many years because of a cold and I rescheduled into the following month to catch everyone up. If I can answer any questions on the remainder of the course for you please feel free to contact me.

definitely contact Wilton, they will get you in contact with her supervisor who will handle it. I am very sorry you have had to deal with this. A WMI can not teach outside of their store unless permission has been given by their Supervisor.

I as well am i WMI and that instructor needs to contact her supervisor and let them know that she is having issues...I will let the store manager know your issue as well as contact wilton...I am sorry that you are having that type of issue..as for the classes being out of the store that is also not how WMI's are to do they can do make up classes at the store. and since you have paid once you should be able to just attend the classes that you missed without paying again... We have a set guide line and the classes should be the full 2 hours each week. there is really no time for gossip if the WMI is doing her job.

Thanks everyone. She canceled for personal reasons and I know at least one week couldn't be helped. I really like the instructor as a person so I hate the idea of contacting Wilton, but then I really want to complete my classes and I wasn't the only person in that class so I know there's others needing to complete their class as well. I appreciate all the advice! Happy New Year!

I had a difficult time even getting the store I wanted to go to, to schedule Wilton classes. I kept getting this guy named Patrick who continuously told me there would be no classes scheduled for any time in the near future.

Understand that because of my condition, I am unable to drive (poor grip strength and severe hand pain) my choices of where to take classes was limited to what was available on a bus route.

I called the toll-free number at Wilton. The regional supervisor for that particular store called me the next day and took a brief statement from me. Fortunately, I am one of those people who write things down.

A new series of classes was scheduled for two weeks later, and I was sent vouchers so I could take all three classes free of charge. That, combined with the 50% coupons off merchandise made the classes so inexpensive for me.

Theresa

I've been an WMI for 6.5 years and have tried very hard not to cancel classes unless it is really bad weather or I have no other choice. I want to say that I have canceled less than one class a year due to personal issues, like being overly sick and afraid I'd pass it on.

At the end of August, I actually went and taught the evening that I had to put my dog to sleep. The Asst. Store manager could tell there was something wrong, and I explained it to her later in the week, but at that time I was just trying to get in there and get the class done.

It is good that you like the instructor as a person, but set that aside. This isn't a personal issue. And a good person does not always a good WMI make.

This is as Cathy said, a situation where you paid for something and didn't get what you paid for. If you want to a resturant and your waitress was someone you liked as a person, would you not complain if you didn't get all of the dinner you paid for?

If she is not doing what she needs to be doing, then the store and Wilton needs to be aware of that. I can honestly see canceling a class a session, for personal reasons, but if it can be helped they really shouldn't cancel it more than that. And as I said before a WMI should never teach outside their store. The make up classes should have been done at the store when there was a time slot available. And as far as the gossip cake discussions, a WMI is suppose to keep the classes on track. If I have a small group we will talk more than my larger groups, but it is still my job, no matter what, to teach them what they are suppose to learn that lesson.

If these classes are at Hobby Lobby, then from my understanding she gets paid in a lump sum from the beginning for the lessons. So that means at this point she has already been paid, so that may not be alot of incentive for her to reschedule and have everyone complete the classes. At Michaels I don't get paid if I don't have students, so I'm sure to reschedule missed classes so that my students get the lessons and I get paid for them.

I believe Wilton's stance is that you paid for them so you should be able to take all of the lessons, even if that includes you coming in in a different month.

If I have to cancel a class then I usually just push the class back a week, keeping it on the same night and time. It may put me off schedule a little but that isn't the end of it. If I have to schedule it another day then I try to pick a day/time that works for everyone.

If someone misses a class for their personal reasons then I left them come in and make it up the next time I offer that class. Sometimes people do, sometimes they don't. I will usually try to let them know when the next class is coming up, but I don't keep calling them to tell them every time that class is offered.

Please know that by telling the store the issues it doesn't mean they or Wilton will turn around and fire her. It could be the first time she has had any problems, and they will be understanding. Or it could be something that becomes reoccuring, and that is something the manager needs to be aware of to watch for. Not only for the stores bottom line, but also for the Wilton program in general.

[quote="cakesbycathyIt's fine that you like her as a person but don't you want to either get what you paid for or get your money back?
This is a perfect example of what Indydebi likes to talk about - how as women we are taught to be "nice" and not make waves.[/quote]

Actually Cathy, I know what her personal situation is and am able to relate. She needs her job and I don't want to jeopardize that. I have no problems standing up for myself and have no problems making waves when I need to.

Turns out, the A.C. Moore stores in our area have canceled all the crafting classes (all, not just cake). All instructors, who are currently independent contractors, now have to become store employees. All of them must apply for their jobs. They've canceled all the classes until they've hired or rehired instructors. My instructor's Wilton rep is out of the country and did not tell her any of this before leaving so she just found out. This also means she cannot make up our classes in the store. So I will be meeting her at her house tomorrow night to finish up. I get a private lesson, woo-hoo!

All the info you've all given me may be able to help me out with the problem I had with my first instructor. She never gave out completion certificates and then quit.