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Business Profile

Leadership Development

National Society of Leadership and Success

Headquarters

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 8 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 3 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/21/2025

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    NSLS is a predatory organization preying on naive students by offering a membership to be inducted into this "prestigious" society. They use a fancy invite And inflated numbers like "only 5 percent of students get nominated!" I see mail that looks like it is from my school and was excited to join, I thought it was an actual award. I was so wrong. After joining and never receive a tracking number for my purchases items ON TOP of membership fee, I started to investigate. I was not a member yet. I was misled. I paid, but there was an extensive amount of work that included regular meetings, projects, and a load of other pointless stuff JUST to get inducted. This was never mentioned on the invite or ANYWHERE in the payment process. Basically my items were being withheld until I completed all this junk. I see other on here complaining about this place so I decided to get a head start while I am still within my *********************************************************************************************** the amount of refund that they were "processing". None of my emails were ever responded to. I have no pending refunds in my account. There are many other real societies that don't require all the extra and offer realistic benefits. I want a refund from this joke of a place so I can join a real legit honor society. This place cannot be allowed to continue to false advertise membership through payment when it is so much more. And they cannot be allowed to inflate their numbers. I want a refund in full for my membership AND graduation package items.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/05/2025

    I have attached the full research history including proof of the refund.  Below is my response to the member and to the BBB:

    BBB Response for ****** Hills Complaint
    Dear BBB,
    I am ******** J. ********, the Director of Member Experience at The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). I am writing in response to *** ****** ****** complaint regarding her membership and refund request. We appreciate the opportunity to address her concerns and provide clarification.
    At the NSLS, we are committed to transparency, member support, and leadership development. Our program is designed to provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and skill-building experiences to help members grow personally and professionally. We deeply regret that *** **** felt misled by the process and want to ensure she has all the information regarding her membership, purchases, and refund.
    Summary of Events & Resolution:
    02/13/2025 *** **** purchased an NSLS membership and graduation package for $173.11.
    02/16/2025 *** **** reached out to our Member Experience Support Team, requesting assistance in locating her order and an estimated delivery date for her T-shirt and graduation items.
    02/16/2025 She expressed concerns about the membership expectations, stating it was not what she anticipated and requested a full refund within the 30-day window.
    02/19/2025 NSLS processed her full refund of $173.11, but the confirmation email did not go through successfully.
    02/24/2025 We provided full refund details, including the transaction ID, to ***************************** Lead, Summer, attempted outreach via voicemail to confirm the refund had been issued and offered assistance.
    Addressing *** Hills Concerns:
    Membership Transparency: The NSLS clearly outlines Steps to Induction on our website and in our program materials. Membership is not solely a payment for recognition; it includes personal development, leadership training, and networking opportunities.
    Refund Request: *** Hills request was honored within the 30-day refund window, and the full refund has already been processed and confirmed.
    Member Support: We attempted to follow up with *** **** to confirm resolution and ensure her concerns were fully addressed but have not received a response.
    Final Resolution:
    *** Hills full refund of $173.11 was successfully processed on 02/19/2025, and all transaction details were provided. We respectfully request that this complaint be marked as resolved, as the refund has been issued in full.
    We remain available to assist *** **** if she has any further questions. Should you require any additional documentation, please let us know.
    Sincerely,
    ******** J. ********
    Director of Member Experience
    The National Society of Leadership and Success
    ?? Chat: ******************************
    ?? Email: ************************************************************
    ?? Phone: **************
     See below for the last response to *** ****

     

    Subject: Follow-Up on Your NSLS Membership & BBB Claim
    Dear *** ****,


    Were sorry to hear that the NSLS experience was not what you expected, and we appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. Our goal is always to provide a positive and fulfilling experience for our members, and we regret that we were unable to connect with you directly.
    As noted previously, your full refund of $173.11 was processed on February 19, 2025, and confirmation details were sent via email on February 24, 2025. If you have not received this, we encourage you to check your spam or junk folder.


    We attempted to reach you via phone and email to ensure that all of your expectations had been met and to offer any additional support. Since we have not received a response, we will now be submitting this email through the BBB Complaint Portal to confirm that we have done everything possible to resolve your concerns.


    If there is anything further we can do to assist you, please dont hesitate to reach out to me, Summer, or the Member Experience Team. We would also love the opportunity to learn more about your experience and welcome you back in the future.


    Please feel free to contact us at your convenience:
    Email: ************************************************************
    Phone: **************
    Live Chat: ******************************

    Thank you again for your time. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

    Best regards,
    ******** J. ********
    Director of Member Experience
    The National Society of Leadership and Success

    Business Response

    Date: 03/05/2025

    Hello,  making sure the attachments with our research, screenshots proving we issued the refund were included.  

    Customer Answer

    Date: 03/05/2025

     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    Sincerely,

    ****** ****
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:07/30/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    In May of 2024, I asked for a refund due to it felt like a job instead of joining an organization . They do NOT tell you all the work you must do to be induced into the organization. You must pay up front, but WHY because you are not officially in the NSLS until you finish the all of the lessons, classes, and projects. Not any thing they stress before you join or what all it details. I ask for a refund by phone from *************************, and was told do not stress about it take your time and you can make up the last part , use sone family member name.I emailed them again asking for a refund and was told no because it had been ****************************** a timely manner and was basically told to cheat to get through the last part. I ethically could NOT do it and asked for a refund because it is like taking a college and entirely too much work; I have enough on my plate. No response because it is a SCAM.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/06/2024

    Dear Better Business Bureau,


    I am writing to provide a follow-up on the complaint submitted by *****************************
    regarding her experience with The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).
    On August 2nd, 2024, our Team Lead, *******************, reached out to **************** to
    address her concerns and clarify any misunderstandings.


    During their conversation, ****** explained the process and benefits of our Success
    Networking Teams, emphasizing the value of working collaboratively with peers to set
    and achieve personal and professional goals. **************** expressed understanding and
    satisfaction with this explanation, and she decided to continue her membership with
    NSLS.


    We value our members and are committed to providing them with a supportive and
    enriching experience. We appreciate ******************** decision to withdraw her complaint
    and are grateful for the opportunity to resolve her concerns. At ****************** direction and our successful resolution of her concerns we ask that this complaint be removed from the record. 


    Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please feel free to contact me if you need
    any further information.


    Sincerely,
    ************************************
    Director, Member Experience
    The National Society of Leadership and Success

    Customer Answer

    Date: 08/06/2024

     
    Complaint: 22067175

    I am rejecting this response because:

    Sincerely,

    *****************************

    Customer Answer

    Date: 08/13/2024

    Hello BBB.

    I talked to Summer from NSLS. I informed her that nobody discussed their refund policy or all the work to become inducted. 
    I feel that her only concern was that I remove my original complaint from the BBB. 
    However, I feel that they should inform new and hopeful members of all the work you must do to become inducted ( by the way I have already paid for  the NSLS membership, BUT AM NOT INDUCTED until I finish all the work) , and of their refund policy, before they take your money.

    hopefully this will help someone else before they consider NSLS.

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/07/2024

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I was invited to apply for a membership in the NSLS as a student at ***********************. I received a flyer in the mail stating that due to my GPA, I had been selected. The flyer also claimed that as a member, I would have access to letters of recommendation and scholarships. There was a membership fee to join. I was very happy to pay the fee, believing that it made me a full-fledged member. After all, that is what the flyer lead me to believe. Here is where I will admit an error on my part. Instead of just reading the flyer, I should have researched this organization. But why would a college National Honor Society that had a picture of ***************************** as a member need further investigation? This is where they count on your naivety as a Freshman. The organization is very clever in their sales pitch with this flyer. Paying the membership fee does NOT guarantee that you become a full-fledged member! It was only after I paid that I was made aware of several other steps I needed to take to actually be eligible for induction as a member, and to qualify for the benefits that were advertised in the flyer. If you go to their website, it explains that the membership fee is actually to keep the organization funded. Not for your membership. So why wasnt that made clear on the flyer that I initially received?? Because they want your money, and are less likely to get it if they tell you the truth from the start! I have also found out that my 3.75 GPA meant nothing. Students with a 2.8 GPA received the invitation. They just make you feel special as part of the sales pitch. I have sent emails over the last several months with no reply. When I finally did get a reply from the campus contact, I was told my message had been forwarded and she assumed they had contacted me. Please do something about their advertising tactics. They are preying on naive, trusting students. They have probably made profit from those who have just given up. This is horrible.

    Business Response

    Date: 04/17/2024

    Dear BBB Team,


    I am writing in response to the complaint filed by ********************* regarding her membership experience with the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), as referenced in Case #********


    First and foremost, we appreciate the opportunity to address ****************** concerns and provide clarification on the matter.
    ********************* was invited to become a member of the NSLS at ***********************, and upon accepting this invitation, she gained access to all member benefits, including our leadership development program and various scholarships. It is important to note that the steps required for induction into our society were clearly outlined in the invitation she received.
    Despite our efforts to support ************** throughout her membership journey, including reaching out to her multiple times and scheduling meetings with her chapter leader, *****, ************** unfortunately missed these engagements. We have documented proof of these interactions and attempts to connect with **************.


    However, understanding her concerns and in an effort to address her dissatisfaction, we have made an exception to our standard refund policy and fully refunded ****************** membership fee, even though it falls outside of our usual 30-day refund window.
    We want to emphasize that the NSLS takes pride in delivering the services promised to our members, and we strive to ensure a positive experience for each individual who joins our organization. In this case, we believe we fulfilled our obligations by providing ************** with access to our member benefits and making an exception to our refund policy in response to her concerns.


    Enclosed with this letter, you will find proof of our interactions with **************, including copies of emails, meeting invitations, and any other relevant documentation.
    We hope this response provides clarity on the matter, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of service and integrity in all our interactions with our members.
    Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    Sincerely, 

    ************************************

    Director of Member Experience


    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/19/2024

    I will accept the refund and move on from here, but would like it noted that all of these attempts to contact me by **** or anyone else did not happen until months after my initial complaint. You can make it look good now, but your organization failed miserably. I have everything documented, as well. The steps to induction absolutely were NOT outlined in the invitation that I received. It still sounds like double-talk to me. I pay for membership, but am still required to take these extra steps to be inducted? I was lead to believe that I was not eligible for anything until this induction was completed, so better communication is needed.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/19/2024

    Important to note that I have everything documented as well, and these interactions throughout my membership did not happen until months after my initial complaint. The steps to induction were absolutely NOT in the invitation that I received. You can make it sound good, but your organization failed miserably. I was lead to believe that I had no access to member benefits until induction was completed, so better communication is definitely needed.

     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    Sincerely,

    *********************

    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/19/2024

    I also received this communication where ************** states that I had access to most scholarships. She is saying I had access to all member benefits. So which is it? 
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/21/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I was sold on the service and products of a gift box, and access to networking events. I had contacted them shortly after I had sent my money for the gift box about not recieving my package. They advised me that I have to wait until an orientation event to have access to the gift box I purchased and the networking events. I waited 2 years while in university, without any orientation events during my time at university. I am graduating soon, ans there are still no orientations set. I did not recieve my package, nor any of the services I was advertised. I contacted NSLS again, to which they responded that its been more than 30 days since I paid the money, so they are unwilling to refund me. I have already contacted my ****. Will be contacted all related fraud departments that have authority over this.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/29/2024

    Dear BBB,


    I am ************************************, the Director of Member Experience at the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). I am writing in response to the complaint filed by ************************* regarding a refund issue with our organization. We appreciate the opportunity to address **************** concerns and provide clarification regarding the situation.


    First and foremost, we would like to emphasize that at NSLS, we are committed to providing exceptional service to all our members. We take pride in our dedication to supporting our members in their personal and professional development journeys. Therefore, when ************ expressed dissatisfaction with his experience, we took immediate action to address his concerns and find a resolution.


    ************ joined NSLS on September 20, 2022, and had access to our program for a period of 30 days to evaluate its suitability. During this time, ************ had multiple interactions with our team, including two live chat sessions with our specialists, ***************************** and ******************. These interactions were aimed at assisting ************ in accessing the benefits of his membership, including orientation sessions, speaker broadcasts, and networking events.
    It is important to note that at no point during these interactions did ************ express a desire for a refund. Instead, our team members diligently worked to provide guidance and support to address his concerns and ensure he could fully engage with our program. Despite our efforts to accommodate his needs and offer solutions, ************ did not raise the issue of a refund until well after the designated refund window had passed.
    Furthermore, our Member Experience Support Manager, *****************************, personally reached out to ************ to discuss his concerns. ************ appreciated the outreach and informed ************** that he intended to retract his complaint. We believe this demonstrates our commitment to resolving customer issues promptly and effectively.


    To support our response and provide transparency, we are attaching proof of all interactions between ************ and our team for the BBB's review. We trust that this documentation will provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.


    Nevertheless, in the interest of customer satisfaction and as a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to make an exception to our standard refund policy and issue a full refund to ************. We value his feedback and regret any inconvenience he may have experienced during his interactions with NSLS.
    We kindly request that the BBB contact ************ to confirm his desire to remove his complaint, as he expressed to our Member Experience Support Manager. We trust that this response adequately addresses **************** concerns and demonstrates our commitment to resolving customer issues promptly and effectively. Should you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.


    Sincerely,
    ************************************

    Director of Member Experience The National Society of Leadership and Success


    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/16/2024

    The company has refunded me thanks to the mediation of the BBB
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/31/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I spent $173 to purchase a National Society of Leadership and Success membership. I completed several hours of training to finish my induction process and receive my stoles and cords for graduation. Upon completion of my classes, they were declined with no explanation. They kept my money, and I did not get anything in return. When I reported it to their customer service, they did not offer to resolve the issue and again did not explain. I was warned about this website as being a scam. I should have listened, but now I am dealing with all of the c*** to follow. This is my warning to everyone never to purchase a membership with the National Society of Leadership and Success. IT IS A SCAM!!!!

    Business Response

    Date: 02/09/2024

    Dear BBB,


    I hope this message finds you well. My name is *********************************, and I am the Director of Member Experience with The National Society of Leadership and Success. I am writing to address the concerns raised by ********************** in her recent complaint regarding a refund issue. We take customer satisfaction seriously and appreciate the opportunity to provide clarity on this matter.

    Customer Information:*********************** ********************************************************************************** Daytime Phone: ************ E-mail: ********************************************************
    Complaint Involves:Refund Or Exchange Issues
    Customers Statement of the Problem:
    ************** claims to have spent $173 on a National Society of Leadership and Success membership and completed several hours of training for her induction process. She alleges that, upon completion of her classes, they were declined with no explanation, resulting in a loss of funds and no receipt of the promised stoles and cords for graduation. She further asserts that our customer service did not offer resolution and did not provide an explanation.

    Our Response:
    We take great pride in our legitimate Honor Society and have thoroughly investigated ****************** case to address her concerns. Here is a detailed timeline of our interactions.  She was issued a full refund,  and was provided with clear expectations regarding the denial of her SNT's.  We also offered additional accommodations.:
    01/27/24: ************** emailed with inquiries about receiving her graduation set and completing her induction steps.
    01/29/24: Specialist ******************* replied with the steps needed to complete induction before receiving the graduation set.
    01/30/24: ************** inquired about the approval of her SNTs, and Specialist ************************* verified the details, informing her that the SNTs needed to be resubmitted with the proper time frame.
    01/31/24: ************** expressed dissatisfaction with the time frame not being communicated earlier, and Specialist ******* provided a requested refund.
    02/01/24: A team member attempted to reach ************** via phone call and email but received no response.
    02/02/24: Our Team Lead reached out to find the best way to resolve ****************** concerns.
    02/08/24: A follow-up attempt was made via phone call, but no response was received.

    We have made several attempts to address ****************** concerns, offering solutions, explanations, a full refund and even offered exceptions if she desired to complete the program. However, our efforts have not resulted in a resolution due to the lack of response from ***************

    We remain committed to resolving this matter and providing ************** with the support she needs. We are open to further communication and collaboration to ensure her satisfaction.
    Please let us know if there is any additional information required or if there are specific steps we should take to address this matter through the BBB. We appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue.

    Sincerely,
    *********************************

    Director of Member Experience

    The National Society of Leadership and Success

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