Should I let this go?

[pinkelephant2628]

Help me out here please. This is a genuine AIBU but it's a bit long.

I lost my job about a month ago and booked myself onto a course starting 21st April to improve my chances of getting another job. On 9th April I was offered another job with the condition that I wouldn't take any leave throughout April as I was needed for those first few weeks. I explained to the new job that I'd booked a 4 day course that I'd paid for in full and they said that the job really did require that I was there for the first few weeks and could I do everything I could to change it. They hinted that if it couldn't be changed without incurring a fee it may be possible for them to reimburse me but it was unlikely. I knew that the terms and conditions of my course stated that there were no changes or cancellations within 20 days of the course without losing the full course fee which was £1198.80. There is no way that I could afford to lose £1198.80 so I thought I'd call the course provider and see if anything could be done if I explained the situation.

The person I spoke to said that, although the rules are that I should lose the full fee, he'd speak to his manager as they sometimes make exceptions. I explained the situation and that I would have to turn down the job if it meant I was going to lose the money. He called back later to say that he'd spoken to his manager and they would allow me to change my course date for a fee of £238.80. Great! I was very grateful, thanked him profusely and asked if I could get that in writing while I spoke to my new job to accept the role.

The next day I hadn't received confirmation in writing so I called the course provider again. The lady I spoke to put me through to someone else who took the payment of £238.80 and said they'd changed my course date to the next available slot. I explained again to this person that I was accepting a job offer purely on the basis that I'd changed my course date and she said that it was fine.

However, a few days into my new job I realised that I hadn't received a receipt for the payment or confirmation of my new course date. I phoned the course provider again and they said that no notes had been made on my account and they would never have agreed to change the date. They said that I'd lose the £1198.80 and there was nothing they could do. They said that the person who took my payment details wasn't allowed to put the payment details through and had discarded them without telling me.

I was really upset by this. If I'd known for definite that I couldn't change the date I would have either negotiated harder with the new role or turned down the job. The thought of throwing away £1198.80 is just awful. There's no way that I could do the course now though as I'd be in breach of contract. I have to be there throughout April now I've signed the contract and started.

So, AIBU to want to take this further or should I just take it on the chin and lose the money? If you'd fight it, what would you do? I've complained on to the call centre staff and they just stuck to the 'it's in our ts&cs that you can't change your course' and they refused to put me through to a manager. I sent an email of complaint but only have the email address of the call centre lady and she won't forward it on or anything. They don't have a formal complaints procedure.

Thanks

It's a large amount to lose, however you should have got the confirmation in email before taking on the new job. Do you know who you spoke to? I'm not really sure what if any recourse you do have.

Tricky. Yes I'd be inclined to complain,the course company managed things very badly. Did you get the names of the people you spoke to who said they would change it? Do you have a record of the dates of your calls?

However, all this talk of turning the job down etc. Say you had turned the job down and done the course, where is the guarantee you'd have got another job? Is it not better to have the job?

I think that at the time, really, if you wanted the job then although it is gutting to lose the money I'd have been shrugging my shoulders and saying "oh well, a job was the aim of the course and I have a job so all good really".

Fight it! They will record all phonecalls. Email and/or write to them. Detail everything. Email is better. Even if they still don't give you the money you've lost nothing but your time. Fight it!

Is the course with a reputable company? Can you find an email address online, for the CEO or executive complaints, or use social media?

Did they ever take the payment? I'm presuming not.

It's really poor behaviour on their part.

Do you remember the date and time you called (if on mobile, look back at call logs) and push further for them to check who you spoke to etc.

I know the dates and times of the calls but they are unlikely to give me the recordings. They called me back to say they would change the course. I think it was my landline.

I accepted the job once they'd taken the payment to change the course on the phone. Turns out they didn't process the payment.

The course provider is The Knowledge Academy. Can anyone help me find someone higher up to write to?

Thanks

I have had a quick look for you, I found this the knowledge academy if it is the correct one then Barinder may be the director, and the email address is on the link.

Fingers crossed it is, and you manage to get a little further. Good luck.

And if that doesn't work you could complain to whoever gives them their accreditation and then hit Twitter. You can probably leave reviews too.
Give the head honcho a chance to sort it out first though.

Can you not look on your bank statement and email them a copy of the payment? This will prove they accepted payment to change the date of the course.

You have an enforceable contract with them for you to change the course date, You paid consideration of £238.80 for the privilege. Write to them that unless they now refund you the £1198.80 or confirm you can go on a later course you'll have to take them to Small Claims.