driving instructor what would you do?

reeree

RuthnJasper wrote: »

OP - has your daughter kept all the text messages on her 'phone? Both the ones TO and FROM him? If so, you may be able to use these as proof in lieu of a receipt. In particular, these texts:



as, here, he admits that he has received some cash from her. I think these could be useful as evidence if he doesn't come up with a better response than rudeness.

Good luck - it must be a pretty rotten situation for you. x

she has kept some of the texts and is going to go through them tonight when she gets home from work lets hope theres something in there that will incriminate him, it is annoying for one thing her driving is worse now than when she started l think because its not been continuous with him cancelling all the time

Elle7

Was she supposed to pay the driving instructor directly?

I'm learning to drive at the moment, and my driving skills book thingy says in big letters that payment must be made to the company, and if the learner chooses to pay it to the instructor, the driving school takes no liability. Scared me off paying in cash, although my instructor did ask.

What school is he from? He sounds like a nightmare instructor, especially cancelling through texts...or cancelling at all!

You could write him a letter before action, saying you will take him to the small claims court for the money back, but he might see through it if he does this regularly - unfortunately he sounds like a scam. I'm quite worried about instructors now!

Sambucus_Nigra

Also - what does the £230 relate to - if it's for [for example] 10 lessons at £23 then what would £90 relate to? Is he saying that she only paid him £90 or that she has had £140 worth of services and thus only owes £90.

I'd start up a spreadsheet with her accounts to date including lessons cancelled and then present it to the company to show that accurate records have been sent, along with a transcript of the text messages to and from all dated and in order.

euronorris

I agree with SN, and would also add that all this cancelling of lessons is very unprofessional.

If he was unable to be reliable, he should've advised her to switch to another instructor. And cutting the lesson short cos he needed to use the toilet??? !!!!!!?! I remember my instructor needed the toilet once, so we just drove to petrol station with a toilet. He popped in, and then the lesson continued (after all, we all get caught short sometimes).

I chose to do my lessons through AA, and my instructor was brilliant! What area are you in? Does she have any friends/family who can recommend a good instructor?

euronorris

Also, check out this site for help with studying for the theory test: http://www.2pass.co.uk/ My instructor recommended it and I found it invaluable.

marywooyeah

Sambucus has got it spot on. all DI seem to operate this way I always paid cash and I've been ripped off a couple of times too. did she get a sheet from the driving school detailing her lesson times and dates?
I'd also name and shame him - is the driving school on google? I left a very bad but true review on google for my old driving school where I had the head of the school teaching me but he always used to be talking on the phone and tapping my wrists with his pencil when I did something wrong
I would also ring the head of the driving school back and tell him/her you are going to the DSA to complain.

Beckyy

I always paid cash for my driving lessons.

Do you have an address for him? Or a home phone number?

Could you call him (with withheld number) an politely speak to him about how unhappy you are with the seervice, and that you would like your daughters refund sent to you straight away. That if he's busy you can come and collect the money. etc. ?

MichaelCR

reeree wrote: »

my daughter has been having driving lessons for the last few weeks, she block booked her lessons as it would make it cheaper, first she paid him £200 then when the lessons were up she paid another £230, the problem is the instructor kept cancelling her lessons around 6 times in total, first his little boy was taken to hospital which its obvious he's going to cancel as the little boy comes first, second time it was his sister in law was in hospital and he wanted to visit her so cancelled again

after that he didnt bother to make an excuse just cancelled several lessons and all these done by texts, the last time my daughter text him back to ask when he could fit her in again, he didnt reply so after a week she texted him again, after two weeks he replied with a date then cancelled again, after this my daughter texted him that she wasnt happy as her driving had fallen back and could she please have her money back, he replied yes and that he was to busy it do it then but would get it to her asap

a week later she still heard nothing from him so texted him to ask how long she would have to wait for her money, he didnt reply so she phoned up the driving school to inquire about it, the woman who manages the place said there was no record of this £230 as she gave it straight to him in cash, the woman must have phoned him to ask him about it as next thing there was a text from him saying he was sorry but he only owes her £90 which he will return and told her to stop texting him and was basically very rude, my daughter foolishly didnt get a reciept off him at the time so l imagine theres not much if anything we can do?

Sorry to hear about these unfortunate circumstances !

Its a shame to think there are people out there who would take advantage, Especially driving instructors which are genuinely honest people.

Well first thing is first, How do driving instructors get a good name for them selfs ? Through referrals of course !! Reputation is a huge part in deciding a driving instructors business.

Although there might be a serious problem to the root course of this, I would start by lightly threatening the instructor with further action should he/her not honor the promise when you handed the money over !

If you gain nothing from this, Then i'd take it to the next step ! Which can only be contacting as many people to make sure his/her reputation is damaged ! Also consider speaking to someone who specializes in 'Civil Matters', As i'd consider taking further action.

I'd also contact the driving school and explain how if the issue isn't resolved amicably then you will be taking further action against them.

Go for a driving instructor through a well known company, And one that can provide good referrals ! Private is the best as these guys and girls get there business through previous customers and referrals ! I'd always try to pay by Debit card or some form of payment that leaves a 'Paper Trail' incase something goes wrong.

Let us know what happens !

Best of luck.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Report him to the DSA. It may be that this is a common theme where he is concerned.

Padstow

It would appear that those block-booking are the first to be let down as they already have your money. Something for others to be wary of in the future.
Have a look at this link, similar situation to yours, and her money was returned. http://www.abrsm.org/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t15149.html