Fuming!

[FennyParthing]

Have had some trouble with a private lesson instructor who always changes our lesson times to suit her. I've booked a course of 10 hours and have a couple left so she already has the money. Obvs not going back to her for more though.

Yesterday afternoon I messaged her asking if she had any availability today. She suggested 11.00am. I checked my phone repeatedly beforehand but nothing. Then at 11am she texted asking to be moved to 12.30. I didn't see this as had gone out and missed out. i find it really annoying that she won't book me in in advance!!! Wibu?

Of course YANBU but sadly this is the sort of thing private instructors can get away with. I had very similar experiences with one (actually she wasn't private, but worked for one of the franchise driving schools) - she cancelled at least every other lesson, often with no more than a half hour's notice. The last straw for me was when she texted me the night before a lesson to ask for it to be pushed back an hour as she was out late, then half an hour before the new time texted to cancel claiming her daughter was unwell. I found a new instructor after that.

I don't know the legality around it but you'd think that by handing over money you've essentially got a contract in place for an agreed level of service - but without anything in writing to confirm this I don't think you've got much of a leg to stand on by way of getting her to stop messing you around.

Since you won't be having any more lessons with her after this 10 lesson block, you've got nothing to lose by telling her you're finding it frustrating that she only books at the last minute, try to get her to book up your remaining hours in advance, then move on!

Good luck, sure you'll find a much more reliable instructor as pretty much anyone will be by comparison. You're not in SE London by any chance are you?!