Paying an independent driving instructor by CC

rosie383

My daughter is about to start lessons with a driving instructor who has been recommended to us.
Rather than handing over a wad of cash or bank transfer for a block of lessons, I would like the protection of paying by CC just in case the worst happens and we lose our money.
I've listened to too many consumer shows where customers gave paid up front for lessons only to lose the lot.
I'm not anticipating any problem with this instructor but every single time I always hear that we should use a CC for goods or services over £100.
All that she has given us is her bank details to do a bank transfer.

Any thoughts please?

[Deleted User]

Ask her if she accepts credit cards.

If she does, pay that way.

You'd need to argue that the payment related to a group of lessons which are interdependent, as I assume none will be over £100.

cajef

rosie383 wrote: »

All that she has given us is her bank details to do a bank transfer.

Any thoughts please?

Most independent driving instructors are self employed, because of the processing fees charged by CC companies when I was instructing I would not accept CC's, any instructor with a good reputation is usually pretty honest and would refund any outstanding balances, the best way is to initially pay for just a few lessons to make sure your daughter is happy with her instructor before paying for a block of lessons.

TheStix

As another alternative can you get a cash advance on your credit card or do a money transfer to your bank?

[Deleted User]

Neither of those options would give section 75 protection.

PRAISETHESUN

I know a few people who are independent driving instructors and they don't accept credit card payments as it costs way too much for them to set up the payment processing required to accept the payments - they already struggle without adding on huge fees from Visa or whoever. Some might do Apple/Google pay or similar, but I think you will likely struggle to find someone who accepts CC. To qualify for section 75 protection, the individual item purchased needs to be over £100 and unless they were sold to you as a package booking of several lessons, the individual lessons would not qualify for protection (each lesson would be well under the £100 threshold).

If you hunt around your local area, I'm sure there will be someone local who is honest and has a good reputation who you could use. If you are still worried about them trying to rip you off - insist on paying only after the lesson is completed, or perhaps a "half now, half later approach" - in my experience many instructors are fine to do this. Book one or two one off lessons before committing to a block of lessons.

agrinnall

I don't really understand why you would need S75 protection for driving lessons, simply pay cash for each lesson then you'll get what you've paid for as you pay for it.

Potbellypig

agrinnall wrote: »

I don't really understand why you would need S75 protection for driving lessons, simply pay cash for each lesson then you'll get what you've paid for as you pay for it.

Block booking usually gives you a couple of quid off each lesson.



But in regards to the OP - instructors are usually one-man-bands so you'll be hard pushed to find one that accepts credit cards.

rosie383

Thank you so much for all the replies.
It would be a block booking which gives a better deal than paying for each individual lesson.
What you have all said makes sense and I understand that it's just not cost effective for an independent to take payment this way.
She has come recommended to us and we have no reason to believe that there would be any problem so I will just pay her as planned.

Thank you to all those who took the time to reply.

meer53

rosie383 wrote: »

Thank you so much for all the replies.
It would be a block booking which gives a better deal than paying for each individual lesson.
What you have all said makes sense and I understand that it's just not cost effective for an independent to take payment this way.
She has come recommended to us and we have no reason to believe that there would be any problem so I will just pay her as planned.

Thank you to all those who took the time to reply.

My daughters first driving instructor also was recommended to us. We block booked 10 lessons but she just didn't get on with him and she decided to move to another one who got her through her test first time. The first 10 lessons were pretty much a waste of money so i'd pay for a few first before committing to more.