After speaking with Coach Duncan, I think that our family is still struggling with our own executive function challenges (parents included). We're a divorced family and it's been hard to get into a consistent routine and remember to attend sessions. My son just hasn't bought in the way I hoped he would. So while I do think the program is valuable, I kind of wish I could have taken his spot. So I'm giving 3 stars because I don't think this program will work for all families, for the reasons I mentioned.
Response from CoachbitJan 16, 2025
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for your honest review. We're sorry to hear the program hasn't met your expectations and understand your concerns. We're glad we've been able to connect recently and explore strategies to better support Mason.
Our goal is to make a positive impact, and we're committed to providing the best experience possible. We'll be following up with you soon to check on Mason's progress and ensure you're seeing improvements that meet your expectations.
Please feel free to reach out if there's more we can do.
Warm regards,
The Coachbit Team
GE
George
It would be much more effective if it…
It would be much more effective if it was a video meeting.
JO
Josh
Not ideal for older kids
It probably is a good service for younger kids, but it was not a good fit with my son who is a Freshman in high school. I was also told in the consultation that they'd match him with someone who has similar interests to help build a connection, especially someone into sports, but that didn't actually happen.
FR
Frank R.
Worth a try but monitor how effective it is and trust your gut when it's not working and move on
I liked the idea of having an online coach for my teenaged son to work on his study habits which are rather haphazard. Previously it was us parents nagging and pushign him. We thought with Coachbit we can "outsource" that a bit.
In August, just before school started, I signed my teen son on with Coachbit. I chose the monthly plan thinking if it worked in two or three months I'd switch over to the 6 month plan and he'd finish out his school year that way.
I had grand hopes for this program but unfortunately it didn't pan out. My son is now very behind in two classes and the coach had no idea until I told him that he was in danger of failing the classes.
They tried and I tried. I first emailed the coach to give him feedback about my son and my thoughts of areas he could improve upon like they wanted after I was sent some reports. I didn't hear back from him after a couple emails sent. Meanwhile my son was showing 1-2 missing assignments on his school portal. I emailed the admin after one month of this saying it wasn't working out as my son was complaining it was taking time out of his evening to text or voice mail back and forth with the coach and he could be studying or doing something else. They called. We write back and forth. The coach finally got involved and responded to my emails. We even zoomed a couple times. I can not fault him for lack of trying. My son learned to enjoy the coach and acknowledged the coach is trying so hard. The coach says my son shows up, does all the Coachbit tasks which is good to hear.
But between the format of how this coaching program is set up (texting or leaving voice mail) and the lack of good coaching options available for my son's time slot, there wasn't much they could do and now at the end of three months I feel confident we gave it a fair try and I don't see it getting any better despite past reassurances or any future ones.
I tried longer than I should have (3 months, $195/month) but that was on me. I kept wanting to believe the reassurances of the coach that the next module the coach was going to present to my son was going to make a difference.
But months later he has not acquired the planner habit, the sleep on time habit, or any of the habits they discussed. It's one thing to discuss them, it's another to have follow through and support for it. (I tried to support whatever he was learning via Coachbit but the coach didn't communicate which module they were working on, I always learned after the fact, and questions I had went unanswered via email. Even when I got email back it still wasn't answering what I asked.)
So that was our experience and I hope this honest, neutral and thorough review will help someone. :)
I read all the reviews before signing up and didn't read one like this which was more balanced so I decided to take the time to write this for future consumers.
Obviously, this is an individual thing and I would suggest any parent look into it as one of several options on and off the internet for help with habits or accountability for your child. My only recommendation to parents would be to trust your gut and look at actual results. If there is no progress, check in with the coach, check in with the program. Do not ignore and hope things will get better. And ultimately realize despite best intentions, some programs just aren't a good fit.
For the company, I would suggest looking at how well the coaches are following through and see that they are checking for objective results like is the student turning in all their assignments? Are they passing their courses? My son had all A's and one B last semester. This semester with Coachbit by his side, he has two classes he's failing and five missing assignments currently. I don't fault Coachbit. It's ultimately on my son that he is doing poorly in school and missing assignments. But I was hoping Coachbit being with him from the beginning of the school year to now (November) would have helped with time management and planning. Perhaps it gave him false confidence and reassurance he will do great and pull through in the end?
Ultimately I'm grateful there is a program like Coachbit to try. It was a good lesson for me as to what helps and doesn't help my son and I learned a lot. So in that respect, it was worth every penny.
Best of luck to everyone.
Response from CoachbitNov 15, 2022
Hi Frank
Thank you so much for your review and your honest feedback about our program. We are sorry to hear that the program did not work out for your son. Your feedback is extremely valuable and will be used as part of our continual efforts to improve our program.
Thank you so much
Regards
Matthew Gardner
Head of Customer Experience
CO
Consumer
$500 and ...nothing.
When I contacted Coachbit with interest in their service to help my son, I got several phone calls and emails to solicit my business. I signed up for the "premium" service for $249/mo.
I was billed for the first month. There was one text to my son but never a response when he replied. There has been no other communication since then. I have since been charged another $249 and there has still not been anybody reaching out. I have basically paid $500 and got nothing.
I will be disputing these charges to my credit card. If only Coachbit had shown half as much interest in getting this program started as they did trying to get me to sign up.
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Mike had contacted me by phone to apologize for the bad experience. There was a clerical mix-up. I appreciate the personal follow-up. I have received a full refund and an apology. Thank you
Response from CoachbitDec 7, 2021
Hi there, firstly on behalf of Coachbit I am so very sorry for the experience you’ve had so far. Having your card charged even once without a response is simply unacceptable.
As a first step towards trying to rectify this situation we’re going to provide you with a full refund today. I don’t want you to have to spend one moment more resolving this issue. I’ll make sure that we take care of everything from our side so that you don’t have to.
Secondly, while I know there’s nothing we can do to change what has happened in the past I would like to offer you the next 2 months of coaching for free. You may of course wish to decline that offer - nevertheless the offer stands and you may choose to redeem it at any point in time.
Should you wish to proceed with the 2 months of free coaching please simply send a mail to [email protected] and I will personally take care of setting your son up with a coach and ensure he has a seamless set up to the beginning of his coaching journey.
Finally, I’m going to conduct a thorough investigation into exactly where the breakdown was in communication, identify what factors led to your experience and will ensure this doesn’t happen again to anyone else.
I would also be happy to give you a call at a day and time of your convenience to discuss this further should you wish. Simply include the day and time that suits you in your mail to me and I will give you a call.
Sincerely,
Mike Cheney
Head of Customer Experience
Update: We've processed a full refund for you and I'm hoping to catch you at a good time for a brief call today.