Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay my driving instructor for missed lessons?

Herzlos

You pay for the lessons you booked but don't take, and the instructor re-schedules any that are booked but has to cancel. Neither of you should be out for the other parties lack of reliability.


Or come to some other arrangement.

Simmy77

Ask some pupils to pay for lessons they have cancelled at short notice and there is a good chance they will go elsewhere.

Car_54

Simmy77 wrote: »

Ask some pupils to pay for lessons they have cancelled at short notice and there is a good chance they will go elsewhere.

And there’s a good chance I’d have been happy to see them go ....

I generally let one cancellation go without charge, but no more.

LauraCV21

My daughter had the same issue - it was agreed if she cancelled without 48 hours notice (so the instructor could book someone else in) she paid. It also worked the same if the instructor cancelled without 48 hours notice the my daughter got a rearranged lesson to suit her.



There were instances on both sides where common sense prevailed (a death in the family couldn't be predicted so they agreed our daughter wouldn't pay and just rearrange).



I think everyone needs to take a reasonable approach to the reason(s) for cancelling - "I'm tired" doesn't cut it and you pay, but "I've just been admitted to hospital when I fell over and broke my ankle" deserves consideration.


At the end of the day the instructor is running a business so needs to be paid for their time somehow. You need to have discussions on how to deal with each instance individually (but if you're constantly "tired" don't be surprised if they sack you off).

marich

" Informal" arrangements such as yours are liable to get you into arguments if there are irregularities .



Unless there are written T&Cs you - and your instructor - are at sea . I'm surprised that you haven't as yet discussed what happens with cancellations - by either of you . What kind of a show is this ?



I can't think of a properly qualified instructor operating on an informal basis .


The question for you is "Am I being taught to drive - or am I just being allowed to ?"


Get a grip !

REJP

Pay when you cancel or she loses money.
Don't pay when she cancels, you did not get the service.

shropshirelady

Car_54 wrote: »

And there’s a good chance I’d have been happy to see them go ....

I generally let one cancellation go without charge, but no more.

I had a dog grooming parlour, and used to charge at least half the cost if they didn't show up. My sister said 'you'll loose customers'. I said that I didn't need customers who didn't show. There were a few who let me down several times, so I wouldn't book them in if they didn't pay when they booked. People don't realise that you probably could have accepted another client for that appointment.

Pickett1025

If you don’t pay then I would not be surprised if your driving instructor just gets rid of you and replaces you with a new learner who will

Tokk

REJP wrote: »

Pay when you cancel or she loses money.
Don't pay when she cancels, you did not get the service.

What if you've arranged/paid a childminder?
She cancels then equals you lose money - should she be paying for the childminder?

phin

Absolutely you should pay them. That's income they otherwise would've had. Imagine if you went to work and got there and they said "no, we don't need you today, go home and we won't pay you" - you'd rightly be fuming. Just because someone is self-employed or freelance doesn't mean they're not owed the same courtesies.