Driving lessons - refund?

CPHLAH

Hi, I recently purchased a block of 20 lessons for £540, these were due to start on 6th April. Given the situation with coronovirus I asked for a refund. My instructor has refused and this. His website doesn’t have any teens & conditions and I can’t find any info on where I stand with this. My instructor is self-employed. Any help appreciated?

custardy

Will you not need lessons after the lockdown?

CPHLAH

Yes I will, and my intention was to re-book these lessons with him when the time comes, as I explained to him. I’m concerned because I (quite naively) sent the money over by bank transfer after 1 telephone conversation and have no receipt other than a transfer on my statement, there’s no T&C’s on his site. I’ve basically sent a stranger £540 to hold onto for an unknown amount of time with what I feel is no guarantees other than his word, which was fine when it was a couple of weeks. With a certain recession coming and him being self-employed with a history of bankruptcy (1year ago - only just found this out.) I’m a little uneasy.

Aylesbury_Duck

Write to him asking for a return of the money.  If he declines, send a LBA and take him to court.  That's the only way you're likely to succeed.  Even then, he can claim it's reasonable to hold the money for when teaching can resume.

It's a bit late for due diligence.

The_Rainmaker

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Write to him asking for a return of the money.  If he declines, send a LBA and take him to court.  That's the only way you're likely to succeed.  Even then, he can claim it's reasonable to hold the money for when teaching can resume.

It's a bit late for due diligence.

The OP will be needing the lessons before any court deals with this.