Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the problematic refund policy of Zhonggong Education, where students face significant delays in receiving refunds, raising concerns about the company's business model and consumer rights [1][3][5]. Group 1: Refund Policy Issues - Liu, a student, reported that after failing an exam, she was informed that her refund of 17,000 yuan would take 17 years to process, receiving only 1,000 yuan per year [1][3]. - Zhonggong Education's refund policy states that for students with refunds over 20,000 yuan, they can only receive 1,000 yuan per year, while those under 20,000 yuan receive 500 yuan annually [3][7]. - As of 2024, the company's pending refund liabilities reached 580 million yuan, indicating a significant financial burden [3][7]. Group 2: Business Model Concerns - The "no pass, no fee" model, introduced in 2010, has been successful in attracting students but poses long-term risks by shifting financial burdens onto consumers [5][7]. - The increasing competition in the civil service exam market is likely to raise refund rates, putting pressure on the company's cash flow and ability to meet refund commitments [7]. - The lengthy refund process effectively serves as an interest-free financing method for the company, raising questions about the model's compliance and sustainability [7]. Group 3: Consumer Rights and Regulatory Attention - There have been over 130,000 complaints against Zhonggong Education on consumer platforms, primarily related to delayed refunds, indicating widespread consumer dissatisfaction [8]. - The article suggests that collective legal actions may be necessary to address the issues faced by consumers, as individual efforts have proven insufficient [8]. - Potential students are advised to critically evaluate "pass guarantee" promises and carefully consider their choices regarding training institutions and contracts [8].