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AIBU?

Narky Driving Instructor

26 replies

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 15:38

Basically started with a new driving instructor 4 weeks ago, have had 4 2hr lessons with him. When I started I told him my test was booked for beginning of march (Have driven loads in the past so this was just refreshing and polishing to be test ready) 3rd lesson he advised me to move my test....ok....moved test to end of March, spoke with him to confirm, he said fine. 2 days later he texts me to say he can't do that date so to move again! I wasn't prepared to keep swapping and changing and in theory dragging it out for the sake of what I think would be his own gain- payment wise, so I found another Instructor.
Was supposed to have a lesson with him this Wednesday (2pm) called him yesterday (Around 4pm) to tell him it wasn't working for me so I had therefore found somebody else, he was really aggressive, told me I'd never pass my test with this other person...Bitter about losing the business I think...so the BU part is he said I would still have to pay him for wednesdays lesson as I hadn't given him 48 hours notice, (I'd given near enough 46 hours, but ok...) those are his terms. I agreed to pay as per his 'terms' and he will be coming to collect his money tomorrow but OH is annoyed with me and adamant I shouldn't pay him and he's taking the piss because he's annoyed he's lost the custom....so should I pay him or not?!

OP posts:

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Tootsiepops · 14/02/2017 15:40

Don't pay him. He's taking the piss.

BlondeBecky1983 · 14/02/2017 15:47

Don't pay him!

SilenceIsBroken · 14/02/2017 15:48

What are "his terms", did you have a contract or any paperwork?

Thefishtankneedswater · 14/02/2017 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 14/02/2017 15:50

I don't blame you for changing instructors. I think other people also need to be warned off him, too. Some might say, but. You can't do that. It'll ruin his livelihood. Well perhaps he should think of that before he treats his clients like shit. You're doing him the favour. Not the other way around. You'd have never pass your test with a bullying aggressive cunt like him.

KathArtic · 14/02/2017 15:52

Go out. Let him keep chasing the money. Part pay him and piss him off.

Being rude is not acceptable, and yes, I suspect he was trying to make more money out of you. Did he give examples of what his concerns are? Did he concentrate on these concerns during the lesson - like 'I think you are still struggling with reversing. Today we will work on this and I can help you'?

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 15:53

I don't actually want to pay him as he's pissed me off with his attitude but morally should I?!
No, no contract, nothing signed! He gave me a sheet of A4 with his contact details and prices etc, it does say on there 2 days notice for cancellations so technically yesterday was 2 days notice but if I wanted to be arsey about it, I could question that he hadn't stated the time frame in hours I suppose.

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UpWithPup · 14/02/2017 15:54

If you have a contract with him, or an agreement from the start, that you would give him 48 hours notice then you should pay him. If there's no contract / agreement then I wouldn't pay.

Thefishtankneedswater · 14/02/2017 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 15:54

No Kath, no constructive feedback really. Last week we did 1.5 hours of turning in the road! I was tempted to bang my head off the steering wheel after an hour....or his!

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UpWithPup · 14/02/2017 15:55

Sorry, x-post. 2 days is 2 days, don't pay!

GloGirl · 14/02/2017 15:56

Yes you gave him 2 days notice and he cancelled on you (the 2nd test) so I say it's even.

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 15:58

We live in a really small town where everybody is interlinked (We're not locals) his grandchildren go to the very small school that DD attends so I think my main theory was oh just pay him for the sake of keeping the peace and not arguing over 25 quid but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to. Coupled with the fact that his attitude hasn't done him any favours either.

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Bluebellevergreen · 14/02/2017 15:58

Dont pay him.
I "fired" my instructor and asked for my money to be refunded. He kept cancelling lessons and he wasnt teaching me a thing.

He shouldnt be coming to your house. Dont open the door and say you will file a complain

wettunwindee · 14/02/2017 16:02

You didn't give him 2 days notice - you gave him 1 and ~3/4 but that isn't the same.

Legally, he's unlikely to take you to SCC to get it back but I think you should pay him. You agreed to this.

gamerchick · 14/02/2017 16:03

Mines 48 hours notice, there's a sign in the car. Hes not a knob though.

You should have said on the phone you weren't going to pay him though, you've agreed to now.

SilenceIsBroken · 14/02/2017 16:06

No, then don't pay him.

Send him a message saying something like "Your attitude was unprofessional and aggressive and I did not progress under your tuition. I will not ask for my money back in this case, however, I've looked at the documents you gave me and it says two days' notice for cancellations, not 48 hours. Since I informed you yesterday about tomorrow's lesson you can expect no further payment. Regards, me"

CaptainHammer · 14/02/2017 16:17

I'd say exactly what SilenceIsBroken has written.
He probably meant 48hours but as that isn't technically what he has put in the 'contract' plus his behaviour I wouldn't be paying him!

SecondsLeft · 14/02/2017 16:22

I would pay and keep the moral high ground (he has none) if he is local, not worth him potentially making it seem to others that you didn't pay.

Megatherium · 14/02/2017 16:27

You have a contract with him - there's no requirement in law for it to be signed. Two days' notice usually means two clear days' notice (e.g. you give notice on Monday for something to be cancelled on Thursday), so you would get nowhere quibbling about the hours.

kingpin20 · 14/02/2017 16:28

He wouldn't have a leg to stand on in a SCC, as he has not specified anything in hours and also you have not signed anything. Without signing anything the whole 2 day or 48 hours notice is just an advisory. You gave him a decent amount of notice to cancel the lesson. He is just a prick. I wouldn't pay him after he got aggressive on the phone, no way.

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 16:31

Secondsleft...that was my thinking, just pay him for arguments sake. I can see it getting petty if I don't. Part of me does agree with everyone else saying don't pay him though as he was bloody shit with a bloody shot attitude! Mixed bag of responses though!

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Chloe84 · 14/02/2017 16:49

Please don't reward him for aggressive behaviour.

Tell him there is no agreement, that you gave him adequate notice and you won't be paying him. Do it for women kind!

My driving instructor only needed 24 hours notice.

Solaris88 · 14/02/2017 16:54

Haha Chloe I like that statement!

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titsbumfannythelot · 14/02/2017 17:03

48 hours is standard for a driving instructor but if you are going to pay him let him chase you. Sounds aggressive and rude.

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