Frequently Asked Questions

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Need an answer? We strive to be your personal trainer for career success.  In order for you to take full advantage of our site and its capabilities, we have provided answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below. 

FIND OUT ABOUT:

  1.  Finding the Right Course
  2.  What do I need to know before attending a seminar?
  3.  More Information about your Personalized Site
  4.  Benefits and Features for Corporations
  5.  Purchases and Returns (Click here for a printable order form)
  6.  Technical/System Requirements
  7.  Getting Started ? How to Find Features  
  8.  Understanding the Wish List Feature
  9.  What is an RSS feed?
10.  Audio Conferences
11.  Webinars

Still can?t find what you are looking for? Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. For all international inquires see the Contact Us section for more options.

FINDING THE RIGHT COURSE

• How can I find the course I?m looking for?

• Can I earn CEU credits for attending your public seminars?

• Do I need to register before buying a course?

• How does online training work?

• Can I view sample online courses?

• How do I assign a seminar or an online course that I purchased to another user?

• What if my on-line course won?t run when I launch it?

• Can I take a sample on-line course before making my purchase?

• Can I start an on-line course and restart it later?

• How can I learn about a specific on-line course and its requirements?

1.    How can I find the course I?m looking for?

You can use several different methods to find your desired course. First, you may browse our Products/Seminar page for courses by training format, subject category or by using the Seminar locator. Another option is to use any of the search functions located in the left side bar, such as the Browse Catalog or Express Lane. 

2.    Can I earn CEU credits for attending your public seminars? 

Yes.  Fred Pryor Seminars (or CareerTrack) offers Continuing Education Credits that are based on program length and completion. Credits are issued according to the National Task Force for Continuing Education guidelines, and approval is at the discretion of your licensing board. Questions and concerns should be directed to your professional licensing board or agency.    

3.    Do I need to register before buying a course? 

No.  You can browse as many courses and products as you would like using our Products/Seminars section, or you may search for your topic in our catalog keyword search.  We even offer several free courses for you to try before you purchase.  Once you have added the course or products you are interested in purchasing, you can proceed to Checkout.  The Checkout Shopping Cart will offer you the opportunity to register  your customer information with our site.  This is not a requirement for completing the transaction.  However, registering with the site will facilitate future transactions by pre-filling the customer information.  Once you complete a transaction on our web site, an email will be generated that includes an automatic user id and password.  You may use this for future purchases or disregard.  The choice is yours! 

4.    How does online training work?

Currently we offer a variety of online courses.   All of our online courses are self-study, and allow you to work at your own pace.  All you need to access these courses is an internet connection and the other minimum system requirements listed below.

First you must select and purchase your course, at which point you should also check that you have all of the listed technical requirements.  Depending on the course publisher, you will either be asked to download the course engine and install it, or you will simply be able to run the course directly from your browser (without downloading anything).  Each course provider has different operating instructions, which are listed in every course description.   

5.    Can I view sample online courses?  

We offer several free sample courses so you can see how easy and effective our online courses are.

6.    How do I assign a seminar or an online course that I purchased to another user?

There are two ways to assign a course to another user. First, you can do it at the point of purchase in the Shopping Cart by clicking "enroll students" and selecting another student option. Another method for enrolling students is to go into "My Training Schedule" from your personal "My Home Page" and click the red arrow graphic next to the seminar or online course that you wish to transfer. From here, you will be directed to re-assign the course or seminar to another student.  A user-profile must be created for this person before enrolling them for the course. 

7.    What if my course won?t run when I launch it?

Each course has its own unique requirements for launching properly. If you experience problems when starting a course, first check the technical requirements section for that particular course.  There may be required plug-ins or launching instructions that you overlooked.

You should also make sure you are using an appropriate browser (Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) and that you have the right amount of memory in your system. After you've checked all of these items, if your course still does not run properly contact us at (800) 780-8476 or by email at customerservice@pryor.com.

8.    Can I take a sample course before making my purchase?

Yes.  Give your career a boost with one of our FREE Online Courses and sign-up today!

9.    Can I start a course and restart it later?

Yes. You have unlimited access to any course you purchase until the course reaches its expiration date, which is usually six months or longer (the length will be specified when you sign up for the course). Subscriptions can be for up to three years, and are available for purchase from our on-site training solutions department.  With our free demo courses, you will have unlimited access for one month.  You may start and restart a course at any time up until the date it expires, so you can learn at your convenience.  

10.    How can I learn about a specific course and its requirements?

Each course is listed with a full description of format, price, course publisher, course length, language, topics covered and score tracking techniques.  You can view each of these in the Products/Seminar section of our site or visit our technical requirements page, which lists the details of what each online course supports.

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2.    How can I use a Workgroup ID?  

Managers who want to set up a workgroup will do this by creating a Workgroup ID when they register on our site.  They will be asked to create a unique ID that identifies their group.  We recommend choosing a specific Workgroup ID such as ?IBM-Marketing-Atlanta.?  For more information about creating a Workgroup ID, see Corporate Benefits under the ?Take a Tour? section.  If you have additional questions, please contact us:

Corporate On-Line Subscriptions:  Call 1-800-944-8503 or e-mail us at pryoronsite@pryor.com.

Individual On-Line Users:  Call 1-800-780-8476 or use email at customerservice@pryor.com.

3.    What is an Individual Development Plan and how does it help me?  

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is the first step to building and planning your career path.  Your IDP outlines recommended courses that will help you improve your career-related skills.  Both individuals and managers can utilize this feature to track progress and strategically plan the path for career development.  

The IDP is also used to establish key areas of interest related to your career development.  Based on the profile compiled, you will receive daily access to targeted information harvested from news and article databases, as well as links to associations, books, audios, CD ROMs and videos.  You may set up your personal IDP by registering on our web site.

4.    What privileges/tools are reserved for managers?  

Managers are able to create Workgroup IDs and user workgroups.  They are in control of setting the default preferences for the workgroup and also for assigning which users have access to the group.  Managers can also personalize the site by uploading their corporate or group logo. (For optimal results your logo graphic should be 120 x 60 pixels.)

Having problems adjusting the size of your logo?
Attach your logo to an email, and email it to us at techsupport@pryor.com. We will resize it and send it back to your email address. You will be able to upload it on the web site once you log in and click on "My Profile". Note: You must be a manager of a workgroup to be able to upload your logo. You can create a workgroup by clicking on the "Workgroups" link in "My Profile".

Managers can approve and/or modify an individual?s Individual Development Plan as well as access various reporting functions.  See the ?Take a Tour? corporate benefit section for more details.

5.    Can a manager add to or change the members of a workgroup?  

Yes, the manager is the only member that has the ability to change the workgroup?s membership.  If at any time a manager would like to make these changes, they should call us at 1-800-780-8476 or use email at customerservice@pryor.com.  

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PURCHASES AND RETURNS

• How do I make a purchase?

• What forms of payment are accepted?

• What if my transaction doesn?t go through?

• What is your return/refund policy?

• How do I receive a completed W-9 form?

• What is your federal ID#?

• When I purchase online, is my transaction secure?

• How long will it take to receive my product?

• What is the Canadian GST, HST tax rate being charged to my purchases?

1.    How do I make a purchase?

Our CareerStore Guarantee:  Our goal is to provide quality business training and professional development materials that meet your needs in today's business environment.  If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your CareerStore purchase, return it to us within 30 days of receipt with a copy of your invoice & completed return form and you will receive an alternate product of your choice from our CareerStore or a full refund (minus shipping & handling charges) — GUARANTEED. This policy includes all audios, videos, books, software programs and online courses. Software must be returned unopened. (Full refunds exclude all shipping and handling fees.)

Product Return Address:    Fred Pryor Seminars & CareerTrack, 3016 W. Georgia Street, Louisiana, MO, 63353.

If you have any questions, please contact customer service by calling 1-800-780-8476 or by email at customerservice@pryor.com.

5.   How do I receive a completed W-9 form?

If you are needing a completed W-9 Form for your accounting purposes, please print the attached image file.  If you have any questions, please contact customer service by calling (800) 780-8476 or by email at customerservice@pryor.com. Printable image file of W-9 Form

6.    What is your federal tax id#?

Our Federal ID# is 43-1830400 (FEIN).

7.    When I purchase online, is my transaction secure?

Yes, we practice safe and secure e-commerce. When credit card information is requested, we utilize a credit card authorization company for secure SSL encryption. This ensures that your credit card number is never sent over the Internet unencrypted. Once it is encrypted, no one except the credit card authorization company can decrypt it. Your credit card number is never displayed on our site. Also, your personal data (such as your address, e-mail and billing information) are stored in a server safe within the Fred Pryor Seminars & CareerTrack database. Only those with proper authorization can view this data.

a. What is SSL encryption?

To protect our members, we use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt the credit card information you send when you place your order. The information is encrypted on your computer, sent through the Internet as scrambled code, and decoded on a secure server. Fred Pryor Seminars and CareerTrack will not store your credit card information. It cannot be read in transit. SSL is the recognized industry standard worldwide for such sensitive transactions, making it safe for you to shop with a credit card on the Internet. Even banks transfer money and complete credit card transactions using this secure method.

b. Why isn't my browser indicating "locked"?

SSL encryption ensures that transaction information is sent securely but has a significant performance tradeoff in the browser environment. You may have noticed that our web site employs frames for easier navigation and more efficient page updates. With this in mind, we selectively place SSL encryption only on those forms and frames that need to be encrypted (i.e., when the credit card information is requested). Since things like our navigation buttons and menus do not need to be slowed down by SSL, we do not employ it there.

Unfortunately (but for obvious reasons) browsers won't show the safe "key" or "lock" unless each and every frame on the page is SSL encrypted. Thus, if only one frame is encrypted, the browser correctly reports that not everything you are looking at is "safe." However, the absence of the "lock" or "key" does not mean that the information you are looking at is not encrypted.

You can verify that a frame is SSL encrypted by right-clicking within the frame and looking at the frame info or properties (i.e., found in the "View" menu in Netscape and the "File" menu in Internet Explorer). Doing this when the credit card information is requested will indeed show that this information is being sent encrypted and any security concerns you may have should be relieved.

You will receive your product within 10 business days from the time of your purchase. 

NOTE:  PO Boxes will not be accepted for product deliveries; please provide street address.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Canadian GST tax rate is 5%; HST tax rate is 13%.

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TECHNICAL/SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• What are the minimum system requirements for viewing or using Pryor.com and CareerTrack.com?

• What formats are available and how do I know which is best for me?

• What if I have problems or would like to know the requirements for downloading a course or product?

• Do you use cookies?

• What are Plug-ins?  

• Why is my course not running?

1.    What are the minimum system requirements for viewing or using Pryor.com and CareerTrack.com?

We recommend that you have a Pentium class computer running Windows 95/98 or NT, with at least 16MB of RAM. Although our site supports Macintosh OS 7.0 and higher, much of the course content delivered through our course partners is compatible only with Windows.  

We also require that you have a browser running on your computer. We highly recommend either Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or later) or Netscape Navigator 4.0 (or later), although our minimum browser version for Internet Explorer is 3.02 or for Netscape, 3.0. If you do not currently have either of these browsers, you may download the latest Netscape Navigator or the latest Microsoft Internet Explorer here. Certain online courses also require a current version of Microsoft Virtual Machine for Internet Explorer. You may click here to download the latest version. (Internet Explorer users only)

The pryor.com and careertrack.com site requires no plug-ins, but individual courses may.

2.    What formats are available and how do I know which is best for me?

We are the only online training portal that offers deep personalization in site features, maximum convenience in how and where a course is taken, and best choice of high quality courses to enhance career success. Our training is offered in a variety of formats: online courses, public seminars, corporate training, videos, audios, CD-ROMs and books.  For more details, see our format descriptions .

3.    What if I have problems downloading a course or product?

If you are experiencing difficulty downloading a course or product, please check the technical requirements of your particular online course to make sure you have all of the minimum requirements for launching that course. 

You should also ensure you are using an appropriate browser (Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer) and that you have the right amount of memory in your system. If your course still does not run properly after you've checked all of these items, please contact customer support by email at customerservice@pryor.com or call (800) 780-8476.

4.    Do you use cookies?

Yes, we do use cookies that enable us to better personalize your learning experience and are created when you register on our site and build your Individual Development Plan. Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored by your browser on your computer's hard drive and are currently the most efficient and complete way to track all of the elements you use within the site.  We use cookies to give you a better experience, not to infringe on your privacy.

5.    What are Plug-ins?

Plug-ins are software programs that provide additional functionality to your basic browser (free of charge) so that it can run an application (like one of the on-line courses you may purchase) in the best way possible. Plug-ins and other additional software are free and can be downloaded from our site if needed for a particular course. Simply go to that course's technical requirements page and click on the appropriate link.

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UNDERSTANDING THE WISH LIST FEATURE

A Wish List is the perfect tool for those who need to wait for approval before purchasing, managing multiple employees or departments, or working with budgets. This unique feature serves as your private "shopping list" of training programs that you identify for yourself, individual members of your staff,  and departments.  Create as many Wish Lists as you wish. Add as many items as you wish. You can even forward your Wish List to others and convert specific items, or the whole Wish List, to your Shopping Cart when ready to purchase.  No more searching the site to re-find training programs.  Your Wish List will be there ready and waiting for you!  

 Creating a Wish List will help you if:

1. You manage annual budgets and wish to identify projected training expenses monthly, quarterly, etc.
2. You wish to identify a training and development program for individual staff members, teams, or multiple departments.
3. You prefer to organize your training needs based on the category of training you are purchasing. For example, you may choose to create separate Wish Lists for Management Skills, Communication Skills, Grammar Skills, Computer Skills, etc.
4. You need to obtain approval from your manager, supervisor, or purchasing department.
5. You would like to identify purchases for personal application separately from business/professional applications.

• How do I create and save items to my Wish List?

• How do I know when I'm saving items to a Wish List?

• How do I switch between multiple Wish Lists?

• What is the difference between the Shopping Cart and the Wish List?

• Can I convert my current Shopping Cart into a Wish List?

• I'm ready to buy. How do I convert my Wish List into an active Shopping Cart?

1.    How do I create and save items to my Wish List?

• Select the product or seminar you wish to save for a future purchase.
• Click ?Save to Wish List?.
• If you have not already accessed your current Wish List(s), you will be prompted to enter your e-mail address and  password and select the Wish List you want to add the item to. If you have multiple Wish Lists created, you will be prompted to select the appropriate Wish List to add the item to. You will be informed that your item has been added to your Wish List.
• Click ?OK? and you can continue shopping. 
• If you are creating a new Wish List, you will need to name your Wish List by selecting ?Add New? from the drop-down menu and typing a name in the Wish List Name box.
• The name of the Wish List that you are adding the item to will be displayed in the confirmation message as well as at the top of the Wish List when viewing that Wish List.
• To view the items you have added to a specific Wish List, click on ?View Wish List?.

2.    How do I know when I'm saving items to a Wish List?

When you are in your Wish List, the name of the list will be located at the top of that page along with the words ?Your Wish List?.

3.    How do I switch between multiple Wish Lists?

On each Wish List screen, there is an option to switch from one Wish List to another Wish List. When you are viewing a Wish List you have the option to click the "Switch Wish List" button to view a different Wish List. You will see your Available Wish Lists and be able to choose another Wish List from the drop-down menu.

When you are browsing the site and identify an item that you would like to add to a Wish List, choose the "Save to Wish List" option.  If you have multiple Wish Lists already created, you will receive the option to select the specific Wish List you want to save the item to. 

4.    What is the difference between the Shopping Cart and the Wish List?

Your Shopping Cart contains your current selections you have chosen with the ?Buy Now? feature. While it is the perfect tool for listing your items for immediate purchase, when you leave the website, the Shopping Cart will not be saved. Your Wish List will hold your list of items until you are ready to purchase them. This feature is available anytime, anywhere, by using your e-mail address and password and is excellent for those who need to wait for approval before purchasing or are working with budgets.

5.    Can I convert my current Shopping Cart into a Wish List?

If you are not currently in your Shopping Cart and do not have an active Wish List:

• Click ?View Shopping Cart? in left margin of web site.
• Select ?Save to Wish List? next to the first item you wish to add to your Wish List. You will be prompted to enter your e-mail address and password. This will allow you to access your Wish List anytime, anywhere.
• If you do not have an active Wish List, you will be prompted to enter your e-mail address and create a password. 
• Next, you will need to name your Wish List by selecting ?Add New? from the drop-down menu and type the name in the Wish List Name box. You will be informed your item has been removed from your shopping cart.
• You may click on ?View Wish List? to confirm that the item was added successfully. 
• Click "Continue Shopping". You may view your Wish List at any time by clicking the button located in the left-hand margin of the web site.
• To add the other items from your Shopping Cart to your Wish List, just click ?View Shopping Cart? and select ?Save to Wish List?. Follow this same procedure for each item.

• Select ?Save to Wish List? next to the first item you wish to add to your Wish List.
• The item selected will be moved to your active Wish List. You will be informed your item has been removed from your shopping cart.
• You may click on ?View Wish List? to confirm that the item was added successfully.
• Click "Continue Shopping". You may view your Wish List at any time by clicking the button located in the left-hand margin of the web site.
• To add the other items from your Shopping Cart to your Wish List, just click ?View Shopping Cart? and select ?Save to Wish List?. Follow this same procedure for each item.

6.    I'm ready to buy. How do I convert my Wish List into an active Shopping Cart for purchase?

• Select ?View Wish List?.
• Enter your e-mail address and password to access your Wish List(s).
• Choose the Wish List from the drop-down menu you wish to purchase the item(s) from.
• Select specific item(s) to purchase by clicking the "Buy Now" option or Select ?Buy All? to purchase all items in your Wish List.
• You will be informed that the items have been added to your Shopping Cart, and you will see that the specific item(s) was removed from your Wish List or if opting to Buy All, your Wish List is now empty.
  Please Note: Once you have moved the Wish List items to your current Shopping Cart, you will need to select ?Save to Wish List? to move them back to the Wish List if you choose not to purchase at this time.
• Select ?View Shopping Cart?. Your Wish List items will now appear in your current Shopping Cart and you can proceed to Checkout or Continue Shopping.

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WHAT IS AN RSS FEED?

RSS stands for "really simple syndication".  It is an easy way for websites to distribute their dynamic content (headlines, news releases, weblogs) to those who are interested in what is happening in real-time.  The content is used by computer programs called RSS aggregators or RSS readers to organize the information into content that is easy to read through for what is truly important to the end-user.

Most websites which take advantage of RSS feeds are those that have some type of dynamic content such as news releases, weblogs, or any site with content that changes continuously.  Checking back with these websites often can get very tedious and time-consuming.  For this reason, an e-mail notification was developed to attempt to solve this problem. Unfortunately in this age of spam, most e-mail content gets lost amongst the jumble of our morning madness where we lose much of our time attempting to siphon the important out of the ridiculous amounts of spam accumulated nightly.

For those reasons, RSS feeds were created.  RSS feeds give control back to the end-users so that you can control the what, when and where of the information you receive from the sites you have preselected. These feeds are updated whenever new content is published to the site. RSS readers "subscribe" to news feeds, which means they download lists of stories at an interval that you specify (every 30 minutes, for example), and present them to you in your RSS reader. An RSS feed might contain a seminar schedule, tips of the day, or breaking news. All RSS feeds will have a link back to the website, so if you see something you like, you can click on the link for that piece of content and will be taken to the website to read it.

Click here to view further explanation of the RSS feeds available in our site.

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AUDIO CONFERENCES