Several months ago I heard a commercial on the radio, promoting the Rosetta Stone program for learning a foreign language. The commercial promised that if I called their toll free number that they would send me a free sample DVD/CD (whatever it is) of their program, so I could see for myself how they teach the foreign language.
So, after I got home I called the toll free number. The answering machine loop thing that they have put me on hold for about twenty minutes, after which I was disconnected. So I called back. Same thing happened again. And again. And again. Finally, I got through to a live person and requested the free sample. The representative asked me if I knew what language I would like to learn and I told her that I would like to learn Spanish. She said that since I already knew what language I wanted to learn I should simply go ahead and spend the $300 and buy their program. I told her that I was not ready to buy the program, I wanted the free sample. She argued with me for about five minutes, and finally agreed to send me the free sample. That was last October. It is now March, and the free sample has not arrived yet.
I have seen more commercials for Rosetta Stone on tv since then, and I have tried about eight times to call them again and ask for a free sample (since the first representative apparently never processed my request) and I can’t get through to them at all.
I’m not impressed.
This very much seems to be the one enormous downside of Rosetta Stone. It costs a small fortune and it is very difficult to give it a test run prior to paying. I’m in a similar boat now trying to get a crash course to see if it’s the program for me. My fingers are crossed though.
Ms. Mueller,
My name is Alfredo Velasquez, Manager of Call-Centers at Rosetta Stone. We noticed your blog and I wish to apologize for the experience you had while trying to receive the advertised free demo. I assure you, we are more than happy to provide you with a demonstration of our product so you can see the power of Rosetta Stone. Have you received the demo disk yet? If you haven’t yet, and are still interested in receiving one, I would be more than happy to put one in the mail for you. You state in your blog that you are in the “foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains– well we are based out of Harrisonburg, VA, so delivery of the demo would be quick. Do you recall the date that you made your original order? I would like to listen to the call in order to provide better service in the future. Again, I apologize for the experience and wish you the best of luck in your future language learning. Please feel free to contact me by phone by dialing 800-788-0822 ext. 5214.
I did contact Mr. Velasquez, and he did send me a copy of the demo. I have received it! I have NOT had the chance to review it, I hope to review it this weekend!
I’ve bought the German version. It works great to me. I think Rosetta Stone’s program is still the best. Hope it works great for you too.