<![CDATA[Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies]]>Hi Parents out there, I would like to share my experience, to know if anyone out there has the same experience, how you handled it… If no, take it as a warning…


I went through a tutor reommmendation agency (Txxtutor) in Nov 2011 and they recommended a tutor to me. As the tutor kept using handphone during lessons, I decided to stop her despite one warning to the tutor. So I managed to find another tutor through another agency and she is excellent… tutoring my children since Jan 2012.

Yesterday, Thur, 27 Oct 2012, I received an SMS from the 1st agency claiming I have not paid the agency fee… and demanded the evidence to be shown by this week. Else, to make payment or they will make small claim through court. How can I produce the evidence within such a short period, especially when the bank transfer could be done in Nov 2011 or even Dec 2011? This is talking about last year statement or a receipt which I caould have discarded when shifted house. They also claimed that if I do not produce, will go through other means that might casue me embarassment…

I am seeking legal advise from my lawyer. As this could happen anytime. The fact that they only stress parents when PSLE just started yesterday. Btw, the fee is only $100… not that I can’t pay, is why should I pay? Why they only close accounts one yr later? What if I pay now, and they come back again 1-2 yrs later claiming the same? I am really stressed by them with one child having PSLE and one streaming Sec 2. What will they do especially when they are aware of my children’s school and worst, my address.

Any advise?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/41286/horror-stories-tutor-recommendation-agenciesRSS for NodeThu, 30 Apr 2026 20:04:58 GMTFri, 28 Sep 2012 00:06:12 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:19:10 GMT]]>I’ve recently engaged the service of Raffles Tuition Agency http://www.rafflestuitioncentre.com/looking-for-a-tutor.html

Their recommended teacher Charmaine came twice, got the 2 lessons fee and never bother to come for the 3rd lesson. She did not even have the basic courtesy to call me and we waited for her to come. I called her but she just cut off my call! What is worst is that the tuition agency also never returned my call as I wanted to know what is the reason for the tutor’s behavior.
I really don’t understand how someone can be so irresponsible especially since we parted well at the end of the second lesson and the tutor even asked me to buy an assessment book for my child..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1845334https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1845334Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:19:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:11:45 GMT]]>I’ve recently engaged the service of Raffles Tuition Agency http://www.rafflestuitioncentre.com/looking-for-a-tutor.html

Their recommended teacher Charmaine came twice, got the 2 lessons fee and never bother to come for the 3rd lesson. She did not even have the basic courtesy to call me and we waited for her to come. I called her but she just cut off my call! What is worst is that the tuition agency also never returned my call as I wanted to know what is the reason for the tutor’s behavior.
I really don’t understand how someone can be so irresponsible especially since we parted well at the end of the second lesson and the tutor even asked me to buy an assessment book for my child..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1845333https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1845333Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:11:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:41:01 GMT]]>The tuition Industry is one that is booming in Singapore, its not surprising to find stories that some of them out there are just there to earn $$$.


Other than money matters, what other issues do you all think that the industry needs to solve to better provide our students the learning they really need.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1782472https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1782472Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:41:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 06:50:36 GMT]]>Got a tutor from TxxTutor, had to say i am very satisfied with the tutor’s chinese teaching. My kids love it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1780580https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1780580Sat, 24 Jun 2017 06:50:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Fri, 16 Jun 2017 09:08:03 GMT]]>i sign up with them TxxTutor so far i am doin pretty well ler… oh well not all is perfect thou often you meet unreasonable parents or tutors. Your statement seem biased and hopefully will not get you into any trouble.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1779208https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1779208Fri, 16 Jun 2017 09:08:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Thu, 13 Apr 2017 02:03:57 GMT]]>Has anyone else came across TxxTutor and their dishonesty (especially J and Ms Kxx)?


They have scammed parents of money previously. Now, it seems like they are profiting off tuition coordinators. The terms of the tuition coordinators’ contracts for service are onerous - everything is tilted in their favour. They find ways to promise us that they have some 8,000 tutors in their database. But in reality, it seems like they have closer to 80 tutors (let alone 8,000!), many of whom are inactive. They have induced many people to pay $2,000 upfront, for use of their tutor database. I have spoken to a few fellow tuition coordinators, none of whom apparently have found students (let alone be paid by TxxTutor for their services). I did a quick ACRA search for Txx Training (because no one really knows their official name) and Txx Training Centre Pte Ltd is apparently a company which is gazetted to be struck off?! They have previously been terminated. Right now there are other entitles on ACRA with similar names e.g. Txx Training Centre etcetc. It seems like, when they get into trouble with the law, they face some legal action, but then set up another company with the same name and UEN number, so they still can continue to run their business. Lousy scammy company.

May the law catch up with them soon.

EDIT: I did further research on the Txx Training companies on ACRA and it seems like they may not be related - they have different directors. Nonetheless it still looks very fishy!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1766956https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1766956Thu, 13 Apr 2017 02:03:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 02 May 2015 15:52:13 GMT]]>wow…that was scary…to hire someone with such background.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1499034https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1499034Sat, 02 May 2015 15:52:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 02 May 2015 11:33:51 GMT]]>For Tuition Agencies, it is very essential to find a Tuition Agency that verifies the tutor’s certificates before displaying them on the website. Otherwise, fraudsters can just type their education credentials as they wish.


I do have contacts for a very highly recommended Tuition Agency, do PM me for more details. (Not suitable to post the link here, as it may be misunderstood as advertising).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1498940https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1498940Sat, 02 May 2015 11:33:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Fri, 10 May 2013 22:44:52 GMT]]>

Mdm Koh:
I guess the tutor felt aggrieved? I worked with this agency a couple of years back and its conduct was very unprofessional. Although the owner of the agency paid me eventually, the experience was unpleasant and I never took another assignment from him again. Has anyone had a positive experience with this agency?

I can feel his anger and frustration in his post. Unethical businesses are everywhere, and this largely unregulated industry has no watchdog to keep it ethical.

From your experience, I find it really amazing that a business has been operating a few years back, have yet to change their unethical conduct, and still be in business. Are we Singaporeans suckers or what?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001127https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001127Fri, 10 May 2013 22:44:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Fri, 10 May 2013 21:04:55 GMT]]>I guess the tutor felt aggrieved? I worked with this agency a couple of years back and its conduct was very unprofessional. Although the owner of the agency paid me eventually, the experience was unpleasant and I never took another assignment from him again. Has anyone had a positive experience with this agency?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001121https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001121Fri, 10 May 2013 21:04:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Fri, 10 May 2013 14:14:13 GMT]]>Omg.. This is quite horrifying!

Luckily for me, my experiences with coordinators and agencies are largely positive 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001006https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1001006Fri, 10 May 2013 14:14:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sun, 05 May 2013 15:50:43 GMT]]>i just want to share my story. My mum's friend recommended a tutor (man) to my classmate and I during Sec 1 level. My parents were home during the weekly tuition. But we only had tuition with him for less than 2 months.


On his last lesson, he told my classmate and I that he had plans to open a pub. We were too young to understand pub but I did ask if pub is \"disco-like\".

Then he also told us that he had just been released from prision after serving 3 yrs 8 months for manslaughter! He had killed a elder man at a coffee shop with a western food cutting knife :siam: .....of course my mum and her friend were no longer friends after this incident! :slapshead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998255https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998255Sun, 05 May 2013 15:50:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sun, 05 May 2013 14:36:18 GMT]]>

starzest:

Lastly, unless you have personally dealt with Starzest tuition agency, please refrain from putting down my comments just like that. It is a free forum, isnt it? What is wrong with educating other tutors on Starzest unethical practices?
It is precisely because these are free forums, that you get what you got: anyone who has had experience with forums questions anyone who parachutes in to comment on a business. If you have been participating here a long time, and have already built up a modicum of trust in the community, that you do not get questioned so easily.

I have seen too many of such things in many forums I have participated in, especially when I was in the expatriate forums when overseas.

There is nothing wrong with educating other tutors on unethical practices, and I am sure many tutors who could not be bothered to question further will simply believe. No, what you have done is similar to a stranger barging into a town and blaring out \"The Blacksmith is Evil! Run!\" Hence the reaction you got, \"Who is this fellow to tell us about the Blacksmith? I may not know him at all, but I know this stranger even less!\"

Yes, you have made the police report, you have given us an avenue to verify your story, which is good. I have simply pointed out that you are a stranger to us, and to warn those of us who are probably more gullible to think more critically.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998217https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998217Sun, 05 May 2013 14:36:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sun, 05 May 2013 10:20:08 GMT]]>My personal particulars and other sensitive information are with the Starzest agency. One would think twice before revealing one’s name in a forum for everyone to read.


If you doubt my story, you are more than welcome to PM me for the contact number of the police officer that I made a report with. Impersonating a police officer is a serious crime in Singapore.

Lastly, unless you have personally dealt with Starzest tuition agency, please refrain from putting down my comments just like that. It is a free forum, isnt it? What is wrong with educating other tutors on Starzest unethical practices?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998146https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/998146Sun, 05 May 2013 10:20:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 04 May 2013 11:05:20 GMT]]>

senseimichael:
I am interested to know why you start an account just to say this? Those of us who have been around forums are naturally wary of someone who parachutes in, say something bad about someone, and without leaving a name...

I agree with you. I can't believe that someone just registered and posted that long complain on the tuition agency on the first post. It seems questionable.

So far I have not heard of any agencies who would collect the full month's pay before the start of any lessons. I have been in this industry for 10 long years. I have never came across this ever before. Although I no longer take students from agencies, I have friends who are tuition agents.
If the tutor has been in the industry for a while, the tutor should know it isn't the normal practice.

Regarding being terminated after 4 lessons, this can be due to various reasons. Most parents calculate carefully their monthly tuition fee before engaging any tutor. There may be other reasons. Enough said.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997901https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997901Sat, 04 May 2013 11:05:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 04 May 2013 06:46:43 GMT]]>I am interested to know why you start an account just to say this? Those of us who have been around forums are naturally wary of someone who parachutes in, say something bad about someone, and without leaving a name…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997826https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997826Sat, 04 May 2013 06:46:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 04 May 2013 03:35:35 GMT]]>Hi all tutors, engage Star zest Tuition Agency at your own risk!!


This post is also to raise the awareness of parents to the practices of this company. Something for you to think twice before engaging an agent: is the agency more concern about assigning you a right tutor or more about closing your assignment to earn the highest profit in shortest time?

I am currently a full-time A level Biology tutor who has recently suffered a loss from engaging the services of Starzest tuition agency. After my fourth lesson, the parent apologised to me that she decided not to continue as she found my services too expensive. I called up Starzest and requested that half of the tuition fees be transferred to my bank account and the agent agreed. Five days later, I received no news of my payment so I sms them. This was done in the next few days in succession as no replies were given.
I tried calling them up, but it was very hard to get through to their number. When I finally got through, they explained that it will take 7 days to process the payment and hurriedly cut the phone WITHOUT TAKING DOWN MY DETAILS. I was infuriated as this was really unprofessional unlike the rest of agencies I have dealt with but I waited. What happened a week later on was just a ‘hide & seek’ game, with them refusing to pick up my call or making up excuses that their accountant is on leave. THE PAYMENT NEVER CAME AFTER 3 WEEKS & counting.

I want to highlight several questionable practices of the agency. It prides itself on The Straits Times Article ‘I run an honest business’ by Mr Law Han Wei, yet the following tactics have been employed by the agency.

1. Unjustified premium
As quoted from the agency’s SMS, ‘Starzest collects a premium of $40 from the student as we provide more value added services-free exam papers & better quality control-getting feedbacks from tutors & parents every month.’ The SO CALLED FREE EXAM PAPERS ARE from 2007 and we have ONLY ENGLISH PAPER FOR SEC 4!! These free exam papers can easily be found on other agencies websites and I find it ridiculous to charge a premium for VALUE ADDED services. FEEDBACKS WERE NON-EXISTENCE as they did not bother to explain why the parent did not continue with my services

2. Possible difficulty of obtaining tutor’s fee
As quoted from the agency’s SMS, ‘Starzest collects the fee upfront from the student & pays the tutor after the end of every 4 lessons’. Wow what a wonderful idea to obtain money from unfortunate tutors like me who got cancelled after the 4th lesson and got $0 OUT OF IT. Simply put it, YOU WILL UNDERTAKE THE RISK OF BEING PAID $0 BY TEACHING FOR STARZEST.

3. Unsubstantiated marketing
As quoted from the agency’s SMS, ‘Voted best home tuition teachers’. Another quote from a google search of Star Zest, ‘Rank No 1 home tuition Singapore’. When you visit the website, there are ABSOLUTELY NO ARTICLES/EVIDENCE on how they obtain these votes leading to such ranking!!

I have already given up hope on claiming back my money, but I will not let such underhand methods affect the livelihood of tutors.

For those of you who doubt my story or suffered similar fate like me, you can make a police report and ask the officer whether a similar complaint has been made against the company in this month. I just did it at the Kovan NPC, PM me for the officer’s name and contact if you wish to make a report with him. 

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997765https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/997765Sat, 04 May 2013 03:35:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:42:22 GMT]]>

lapapillion:
toyomit:

It's really a shame. I have also tried to apply as an English teacher through the agency and the agency was asking half price from my per hour rate. I'd rather look for students myseld that to get employed by them.


Really? I'll not agree to it. If my rates are slashed so that I become more attractive as a tutor, then I'll rather not take it. I don't want to compete by price because tutors are not commodities!

I agree. Not only that, but how do I explain to the parents of the existing students, if I have been charging $60 an hour, that I am charging others less just to get their assignment? You may be surprised how parents can find things out, in this time and age.

Ultimately (if we have been attentive to our lecturers during Economics), the market is a matter of supply and demand intersecting, after dealing with slippage and loss (from the agencies, haha!). As long as we know our price, and stick by it, we can bring value to those willing to pay our price.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/982313https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/982313Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:42:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:26:20 GMT]]>I agree with wonderdad. The tutors need to pay 50% commission to the tuition agents for getting assignments from them. If the tutors are able to get new students from parents' referral, I'm sure they would choose not to get assignments from tuition agents. :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/936973https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/936973Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:26:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:32:06 GMT]]>

DOE_admin:
Tutors should grow some backbone and get assignments directly for themselves. This means building a reputation and securing recommendations based on producing results.


You are only truly free if you get to keep every single cent you earn, on your own terms and conditions. And not getting conned by some scheming jerkball of an agent.
Agree... But i think they are more tied down in giving tuition than to do promotion themselves. Sometimes word of mouth might be too limited for them to reach out to more students.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/910851https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/910851Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:32:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:30:08 GMT]]>I gave up on tuition agencies long ago. had a few bad experiences as well, the quality of the teachers is not always ideal, yet expecting a premium price. I believe I can teach my kids better than some tutors out there.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/910849https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/910849Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:30:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:25:02 GMT]]>

SueTM12:
Yup, agree that if you have time to find tutors, then going through friends and relatives will be the best. Forums recommendations should also be taken with a pinch of salt as there are many who masquerade as happy parents or 'trusted' tutors. Otherwise, better to trust those tuition agencies which are more reputable as they have more to lose than you if who they recommend you is lousy.

I think as parents, we should just monitor. If a tutor is no good, then we can just change tutor immediately.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903387https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903387Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:25:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:48:26 GMT]]>

lapapillion:
toyomit:

It's really a shame. I have also tried to apply as an English teacher through the agency and the agency was asking half price from my per hour rate. I'd rather look for students myseld that to get employed by them.


Really? I'll not agree to it. If my rates are slashed so that I become more attractive as a tutor, then I'll rather not take it. I don't want to compete by price because tutors are not commodities!

You probably misunderstood them.
They charge you 50% commission only on the FIRST month's tuition fees. Subsequently, you get the full fee.
I think the monthly fees are determined by yourself. If they can convince the parents to pay your specified rate, you get the assigment. If the parents have a lower budget, then the agent will assign them to a cheaper tutor.
Some parents go for cheap tutors, hoping to get lucky and get a good & cheap tutor 😆
But many others have limited budgets due to financial constraints.

I don't have dealings with any tuition agents, though some have sms/ called me

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/901997https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/901997Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:48:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Horror Stories - Tutor Recommendation Agencies on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:11:42 GMT]]>

verykiasumummy:
toyomit:

It's really a shame. I have also tried to apply as an English teacher through the agency and the agency was asking half price from my per hour rate. I'd rather look for students myseld that to get employed by them.


it's not a shame, it's the norm... head hunter agencies r doing the same way too... just that parents will not pay extra to the agency, so they get from tutor instead.

I used to hire tutors a few years back. I thought 50% is the norm for the agency to collect?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/895912https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/895912Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:11:42 GMT