Online e-learning platform Domestika is under fire, as many customers reported being charged for an annual premium subscription – even though they did not sign up for a membership.
Domestika offers a wide range of creative courses for individuals looking to develop skills in various artistic fields including sewing and crafts.
Domestika has a business model enticing prospective customers with low pricing to purchase individual courses, but many who did just that are claiming the platform later charged them the full price ($99.99) for a Domestika Plus subscription without their authorization or knowledge.
Angry customers are review bombing Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, as well as leaving comments on social media platforms like Instagram.
There is also now a public Facebook group called “Domestika scam!” for customers to share their grievances and pool insight on how to get refunds.
Note that customers are saying this issue seems to be a new one, and that it only started happening this year (2024).
When I checked out the Domestika website, courses were “on sale” for $5.99 and when I put one in my cart and went to checkout, it did *not* give me any indication that I was also signing up for a Plus membership subscription. Customer service support seemed to be lacking, with no email or contact form anywhere.
I did DM Domestika on both of the company Instagram accounts to ask for an explanation & response, and will update you if I get any new information. Some customers have claimed that Domestika is removing their comments on social media, and even blocking them on Instagram.
Be cautious with any online platform with this type of business model, where it entices you with a low introductory price and/or “free trial” as they are banking on you forgetting about it and not noticing the credit card charge. These subscription memberships are often difficult to cancel.
While I was unable to find an email contact for Domestika, I sent DMs to both company Instagram accounts to ask for an explanation & response, and will update you if I get any new information.
UPDATE 3/26/24 2:16PM – earlier today I left public comments on Domestika’s most recent posts on both accounts, and the main Domestika account removed my comment. All I said was that I was looking into customers reporting that there were unauthorized charges for the Plus subscription and I wanted to give them a chance to explain/respond.
RESOURCES:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/domestika.org?sort=recency
https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/art-and-culture/domestika-inc-1116-953820/complaints
https://www.facebook.com/groups/923159682678749
https://www.reddit.com/r/craftsnark/comments/1bmk1j7/domestika_scam/
https://www.instagram.com/domestika/
https://www.instagram.com/domestika_en/
Yes, companies CAN get your new/updated credit card info without you providing it
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/companies-know-credit-card-number-103020762.html
https://www.credit.com/blog/how-companies-know-your-new-credit-card-number-before-you-give-it-to-them-151126/
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We too were charged for this after buying a single course (very good). Immediately, sent a message by their form (very difficult to find) and no reply in around 48 hours. Today, went into profile > Orders and course management and selected the recent invoice. There is an option for refund. And it worked. Or at least I have an email to say it will be refunded. It has worked for my husband too.
NO it is not to be trusted! I’m sadly among the many scammed by them. You buy a course, they subscribe you for free to the Plus service, they do not tell you, they do not tell you before the automatic renewal and there! you have a yearly subscription that you did not authorise or wanted. DiSHONEST SCAMMERS in need of money: which I understand everybody working hard does it for money to support himself or family. That does not condone this behaviour! Especially with those who have already purchased courses and trusted them
I got scammed! Domestika used underhanded tactics to lure me in. They advertised creative courses for $0.99. The course was advertised as a 95% discount Holiday Sale. Using my PayPal account, I bought the course for $0.99. 30 days later, I was charged $129.99 without my authorization. During the time of purchase, it appeared I was only being charged $0.99. Domestika used deceptive advertising, and their paying process is misleading. DO NOT sign up for any courses on Domestika! Also, the courses are very low-quality garbage.
On 5th December 2024, I purchased a course from Domestika for £0.99 while enrolling in their subscription plan. The first month was advertised as free, and based on the information on their website and my online research, I understood that subsequent months would cost less than £10.00 each. Their policy of “cancel anytime” led me to believe I could try the service for a couple of months to assess whether it suited my needs.
However, on 5th January 2025, I noticed a charge of £110.44 coming out of my account, which caused me concern. After some investigation, I discovered that Domestika had charged me for the entire year upfront. I never selected this payment method, nor did I agree to such an arrangement. Given their “cancel anytime” policy, I find it puzzling how I could cancel if the full payment for the upcoming year had already been collected.
I attempted to contact Domestika about this issue, but the online chat led to no useful resolution. When I emailed them, they responded with a standardised reply rather than addressing my specific concern.
“Hello,
Thank you for contacting Domestika!
Regarding your request, if you are writing to us because you have received a charge that you do not recognize, it is possibly because you have previously activated a FREE TRIAL TO DOMESTIKA PLUS; this was a 30-day trial period which was automatically renewed, as stipulated during activation for the annual plan modality indicated there.
Please review the following Help Center article which describes the cancellation and refund policies associated with Domestika Plus.
We hope that you find the information useful and that you continue learning and enjoying Domestika.
Best regards,
Domestika Team”
My advice: DO NOT SUBSCRIBE! Unless you want to be charged for the entire year upfront, with no way to cancel.
Today, I filed a dispute with my bank (I recommend you try the same if you’re in a similar situation). I’ll see how it goes.