Outrageous practice – invoice for a service I never received
I registered on De Bijlesgroep’s website just to check the prices for tutoring. After signing up, a tutor contacted me, and I immediately declined their services. I never had any lessons, never ordered anything, and never received any service.
A month later, I received an invoice for €35 – supposedly for “matching me with a tutor.” This fee was never clearly stated during registration. I later found out it was hidden deep in a long PDF full of legal terms, which no normal user would read just to check prices.
This feels like a deliberate scheme to trick people into paying for a service they didn’t use. I’m very disappointed with this approach. Be careful: you may receive an invoice just for signing up and being contacted by a tutor, even if you refuse the service.
Reply from De Bijlesgroep
Thank you for your feedback.
We would like to clarify that you submitted a full registration form on our website, where you explicitly gave us permission to search for a suitable tutor by selecting: “I give De Bijlesgroep permission to match me with a tutor.” This is not simply a request to check prices - it initiates an actual search process, which is free until a tutor is matched.
We only charge a one-time matching fee of €35 if a tutor has been successfully matched and the lessons are then declined. This is not hidden in a long document, but stated clearly on our pricing page and directly in the form during registration.
After registration, we also reach out via phone and email to explain the process and confirm everything. In your case, the matching had already been completed before we received your cancellation.
We’re always transparent about our process and do not charge anyone without clear steps and permissions. If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help clarify.
Best regards,
Team De Bijlesgroep 💙