School disappeared, need refund

[ptunia]

I paid over $1900 for school, was almost finished, and it disappeared. The school was in Hamilton, Ontario, CA. I am in Arizona, U.S. The story is the owner died in November and school was closed in December, yet they were taking students' money well into December. It was an online school and there was not a timeline for finishing--just when one finished, there would be an internship and certificate of completion.
The employees knew that the place was closing several weeks before it closed, and after the fact, told one of the students that she (the employee) knew, and "don't tell anyone".
I am currently composing a letter to the attorney in charge of the estate, but am not sure how I need to word it to be effective. There are 50+ ex-students (U.S., Canada, and other countries) all wanting money back that I am aware of, and I would imagine many more I haven't heard from.
Unfortunately, I paid with debit so credit card refund is not going to happen. Thank you for sharing any thoughts on this matter.

 

[army judge]

Writing a letter to the the administrator of the estate is a good idea.
Write some of what you wrote on this forum.
Write from the heart and ask for a refund of your money.
Or, you might ask the school to simply supply you with a certificate of completion, in lieu of a refund.
You could also write or call the Canadian Embassy or a local Canadian Consulate.
Tell them about your problem, and ask for guidance, such as who should contact in their government about getting your money back.

 

[ptunia]

my letter so far

The RCMP are currently investigating them for fraud, and we have put complaints on almost every complaint board that we can think of. There is also a news show in Canada that is investigating our issue. All I want is my money back. I don't want to cause additional problems for them.

I am not sure how to address an attorney in Canada with the initials QC after his name.

This is what I've written so far. I am sure it needs a lot of revisions, but it's my first rough draft. I have x'd out the names of the place/people involved.

My understanding is that you are the legal representative for the estate of X. A refund is due me for $1906.95 for medical transcription classes. The agreement was that I could take as much time as I needed until I finished, at which time I would get a certificate of completion. I was nearing the end of these studies when, with no prior notice, all communications from X ceased. Because of the disappearance of X, I was unable to finish them, and have since had to purchase classes at another school.

At this point, I am making this request only for myself. I am requesting a refund by March 15, 2010. If I do not receive a refund by March 15, I will have no option but to file a request in Small Claims Court. If that becomes necessary, it will be necessary for me to share any and all information with the 50+ ex-students that I am in contact with, and every one will be filing a claim. There are several ex-students whose money was accepted well into December, when X employees knew full well that the school was closing. I know it is fact that they were aware of the closing long beforehand, as the employee responsible for the internship program shared this information with one of the ex-students, and asked them to "please don't tell the other students."

I have enclosed both receipts for the money that I paid.

 

[army judge]

I am an attorney in the US.
I was at one time the defense attache to the US Embassy in Australia.
I also have obtained the designation, QC after my name.
QC means Queens Counsel.
Do not let that rattle or confuse you.
Moving forward, your letter is okay.
You've covered the basics.
But, the veiled threat to bring a small claims action will only make the Canadian barrister, chuckle.
US courts, especially courts of limited jurisdiction, ie...small claims courts have little effect on a foreign national.
That is why I advised you to reach out to the Canadian Embassy.
Even if you were to obtain a judgment in a small claims court against a foreign corporation, you'd never collect a dime.
A US court has no jurisdiction in a foreign and sovereign land.
So, setting a deadline is good, as is asking for what you want the lawyer to do.
But, don't make demands that have no force or effect of law.

Here is your letter, with my touches:

Dear Mr. Jones:
I understand you are the legal representative for the estate of X. I believe a refund is due me for $1906.95 for medical transcription classes. I entered into an agreement to enroll in online medical classes at X School. According to the agreement, students would be allowed to take as much time as needed to complete their medical transcription classes.

Upon completion of certain classes, I was to be awarded a certificate of completion. I was nearing the end of these studies when, with no prior notice, all communications from X ceased. Then I unfortunately learned that X unexpectedly had closed.

Due to X's unexpected and unanticipated closure, I was forced to end my online classes. Subsequently, in order to receive my certification, I have since been compelled to enroll in classes at another school. This has been at considerable additional personal expense.

As I have now completed my studies, I would ask that I be supplied with a certificate of completion from X. In addition to receiving such a certificate, I am also requesting a full refund of my $1,906 tuition paid to X, no later than the 24th of March, 2010.

Respectfully and sadly requested,

Joe Blow

A little something on QC:

Australia

In Australia, most State governments have replaced the awarding of this title with 'Senior Counsel'.

* The Supreme Court of Western Australia replaced the office of Queen's Counsel with the office of Senior Counsel on 24 September 2001[17]
* The Supreme Court of Victoria replaced the appointment of Queen's Counsel with Senior Counsel in 2000.[18][19]
* The Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory effected a moratorium on appointment of Queen's Counsel in its own jurisdiction in 1995 in preference to appointing Senior Counsel.[20]
* The Supreme Court of Queensland abolished the title in 1993.[21]

Those appointed before the change may retain the old title (many of whom do, as the title is highly regarded). Only the Commonwealth of Australia at the Federal level, and the Northern Territory continue to appoint Queen's Counsel.

Canada

The practice of appointed Queen's Counsel continues in a number of Canada's provinces; appointments ceased in Ontario in 1985, and the federal government ceased the practice in 1993. No substitute distinctions have been implemented in these jurisdictions as it is felt that the practice is a form of political patronage and is best discontinued entirely. However, title holders continue to use the QC postnominals. In Manitoba, the title was replaced by Senior Counsel (S.R.) in 2001. Appointments to this title are now being made by the Law Society of Manitoba.[23]

 

[ptunia]

Thank you so much for your advice and assistance. I will take it to heart, and hopefully at least some of it will be returned to me.
The reason that I put in the "small claims" reference was because someone had sent me a website that had forms for small claims in Ontario, CA, so I thought perhaps we students could all get together and file there. I will forego that reference, though, as you suggested. I don't want to say anything to jeopardize what I might possibly get and make them run screaming with laughter into the night.
Again, thank you for your help and the explanation. It is most appreciated.