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Business Profile

Online Retailer

The Commencement Group

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 10 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:06/16/2025

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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 ordered a dozen long stem roses for my daughters graduation. I paid $45. When I picked them up the petals were falling off and the flowers were brown. I asked for a replacement and was refused, despite there being other flowers available. I had prepaid so had no recourse. I received 9 stems. 2 had NO petals and could not be considered flowers. I can to reach the company for a refund. I have photos of the product I was given.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:06/02/2025

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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 attending ********************************'s (***) Graduation for my family member, being held at the ****************, located at ****************************************************. This company, The Commencement Group had a table set up, selling flowers and other graduate items. They portrayed themselves as part of ********************************, telling people, who approached the table that they were part of the school, with all money collected going to the school. I purchased flowers for the agreed price I was told of $20.00. I asked for a receipt, which they stated they were unable to provide. When I checked my credit card statement, it was noted that the Commencement Group charged my credit card $ *****. This was an unauthorized charge for this amount that I am now disputing with my credit card company. I only agreed to the amount of $20.00. My multiple voicemail messages and email messages to The Commencement Group have gone unanswered. I also reached out to The Commencement Group's Owner and President ******* *****, leaving multiple voicemails with no follow up to my calls.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:06/01/2025

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    5/31/2025 at the **************************** on the ********************* during Epic Charter Schools graduation. Charged me $125.10 for a banquet of flowers and a teddy ***** was not made aware of price after asking multiple times have not heard back from them after emailing them. Total Scam.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2024

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    At my son's graduation in late May, 2024 from the *********************'s MBA program. On the way in, my wife saw a stand selling flowers and other items. She pointed to a ********** and asked "how much is that bear?" The answer was "$25." She said okay, gave the guy her credit card which he swiped and then he handed her the bear. We were stunned when we later saw a charge on our Amex for $74.77. We disputed this charge with Amex - they charged us the $25, and put the balance in dispute. Amex has since come back to us telling us they will charge us the full price, and showing us a receipt - which we were not offered at the point of sale. Evidently, "that bear" was wearing beads, which are separately priced at $36 (but were not mentioned at the point of sale", and the $25 bear was actually charged at a price of $29. Adding a convenience fee and a service fee, whatever that means, plus taxes, they got to almost $75 for a bear she was told cost $25. The receipt shows a phone number for the Commencement Group of ************. I was very surprised that such an unethical enterprise was allowed to sell products at a university-sponsored event.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:07/18/2024

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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 purchased a teddy **** from them on June 16,2024. I asked the price of the **** prior to purchase and was told it was $29.99. I purchased the ****. I check my online banking a few days later and they charged me $87! I disputed the transaction with my bank. I received a temporary credit of $55, but a couple of weeks later they reversed it back to the merchant. They are liars and tell a customer one price then charge them over double. They wont respond to my emails or voicemails

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:06/02/2024

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    Fraudulent and deceptive practices by The Commencement Group. Purchased a product we were told was $29.00, end up billed $73.31, in excess of $***** beyond what we agreed to pay.Sunday 4/28/24 at graduation asked ******** twice how much for ***** **** with beads. Told they were $29. All the ****s were adorned with beads, none without. We decided that was reasonable and said wed take it. Employee took our card behind the table, swiped on phone swipe devices, handed back our card. When asked for receipt said they don't have any and walked away to engage other people crowded at the table. We did not press the issue- assumed they were employees of the university. Later on bank account, saw purchase we didn't recognize. Attached to transaction was a copy of an invoice (that we never saw or received) which showed them billing us for a ***** **** for $29 AND then an additional 36 for the beads!!Again, all the ****s were displayed and set up that way, there was no **** only option, and common sense would say, if I hold up a **** with a bead necklace like all the ones you have for sale and ask how much I am not asking how much the parts are, I am inquiring as-is. It is apparent after looking online that this company preys on the fact that they move city to city so they do not have to answer to their actions, yet there are plenty of complaints for same, being overcharged after the fact. They operate under the guise of being part of the university and take full advantage of the commotion and volume of people gathered to commit fraud through lies of omission, not being transparent about prices, and their deceptive business practices. We are looking for a refund of the ***** overcharge and request the merchant honor the price they clearly misrepresented of $29. Thank you for your assistance.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:11/01/2023

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    On October 28,2023 at a ********* commencement ceremony I purchased a small bouquet of flowers for what I was told was $33. I did not receive a receipt. My credit card was charged ***** I filled a dispute with my credit card company, this company responded they did not see a billing error. This is fraud.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/19/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    On May 15 2023 i purchased a bear from a commencement ceremony for $26. When i looked at my bank account i was charged ******. I have tried getting this resolved through them, but no response to phone calls or emails. This is fraud and theft. Dont use this company.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/07/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    Extremely shady company that uses shady sales tactic to get customer to purchase doesnt disclose full price to their consumers charges high prices for cheap products

The Commencement Group is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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