Driving instructor, taken my money

fiendishly

Sorry, I was not sure where to put this post really. I'll try to keep it brief. I paid a driving instructor £290 in September for 12 lessons as a birthday gift for my 17 year old, all fine, no problems, driving instructor brings round a 'gift voucher' for me to put in the birthday card, son has lessons.
It becomes clear he needs more so on his 12th lesson I give him £290 as agreed with the instructor for a further 12 lessons.
Well that was 3 weeks ago and we have heard nothing from him since, doesn't pick up his phone, doesn't return calls, no answer to texts.
He's respected locally, a long standing instructor in the community, any ideas what I should do?

Macca83_2

Has anything happened to him? He may have had an accident, he may be unwell. If he's a respected, long standing driving instructor could you ask about?

unholyangel

Is it possible he's on holiday? Does he have a facebook page for his instructor services?

fiendishly

Thanks for the suggestions, I've just checked his facebook page, there's a photo and congratulations to someone who passed with him on Thursday. Plus the texts I've sent him have been read.

tinkerbell28

Post on his facebook page. The power of social media is immense, if that disappears, I'd start sending letters by recorded post.

Macca83_2

No chance he's changed his contact details?

fiendishly

No, Macca83. I have tried to post on his Facebook page, it goes off into the ether for approval by the page admin.
So, a recorded delivery letter. What do I threaten? It this within the remit of Trading Standards?

pinkshoes

Have you tried phoning using a different phone just incase he's ignoring your usual numbers?

comeandgo

I would not say three weeks with no answer is not uncommonly long. Have you gone to his house? Have you seen his car around? I would imagine after twelve lessons your son would know his routes, you may try going round it.i see you suggest writing, I don't think it needs to be nasty yet as you don't know why he has not replied. He may have a family tragedy and you would feel really bad if you had went in all guns blazing.

fiendishly

Yes pinkshoes, he never answers his phone, everyone just has to leave a message (I assume, I've called from several numbers)
No, not been round to his house, is that a suggestion? I'm not sure I'm entirely up for that. As responding to my texts or calling me would seem to be the simple thing for him to do and I'm pretty sure after seeing his Facebook page that he's fine and working, I'm now positive he's deliberately ignoring me.

Macca83_2

If he had my money then 3 weeks without any sort of contact would be too long for me. But I agree with comeandgo's sentiment. I wouldn't be going in with all guns blazing. How well do you know the chap? It sounds like you live in a small community. I knew all my local instructors because I lived in a small community and they'd been driving instructors for years. Could you make any discreet enquiries?