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AIBU?

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Original poster

Accused of being a thief

64 replies

lemondropcake · 22/06/2017 16:40

I recently got back into horse riding after a few years break. Enjoying my lessons so far.
On my first lesson I got in my car and drove off without paying by mistake. They called me to say I hadn't paid. I then drove the half an hour back to pay them as I was embarrassed and didn't want them thinking that I just didn't pay.
This week I had another lesson. I went to my car after the lesson to get my money. I gave it to one of the instructors on the yard but it wasn't the lady who taught me as she seemed to have disappeared. The lady who took my money also booked me in for this weeks lesson.
I have just had a text saying my instructor didn't receive any payment and they have asked the othet instructors and are now refusing to book me another lesson.
I feel hurt and embarrassed. They think I'm some sort of thief. I paid thirty quid for a half hour lesson and someone is denying they took the money.
I was enjoying my lessons and now I don't know what to do!

OP posts:
Rumshmerga · 22/06/2017 17:22

I'm not sure from your post what the time scale of this was, but it's possible that the person you gave the money to has used it and rather than admit it was her you gave the money to she's denying all knowledge.

Original poster
lemondropcake · 22/06/2017 17:23

I can describe her and point her out yes. I'm not sure if they can tell who makes the bookings as it was just verbal. I thought she would have went and got the diary.
My gut is telling me she's forgot to put the money in with the lesson money and she's spent it. Now she's denying it to cover her incompetence.
No idea if the yard has cctv.
It wouldn't surprise me if the booking hasn't been made either.

OP posts:
scaryclown · 22/06/2017 17:25

You could also be clever, ask her name, do some research and shop the theft instructor her to the taxman. dime a dollar she isnt declaring that income...

PyongyangKipperbang · 22/06/2017 17:26

Give them one chance by going back and then if they refuse say that you will be reporting the theft to the police. You might find that that suddenly focusses a few minds....."oh look what I found in my jeans, I havent worn them since that day and just forgot!" Hmm

Butteredparsnip1ps · 22/06/2017 17:27

As previous posts, it sounds unprofessional. Cash payments, no receipts, not paying in advance?

HMRC ?

Msqueen33 · 22/06/2017 17:28

You need to go back and state who took it. Then I'd suggest a new riding school.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 22/06/2017 17:28

Op, what happened exactly.

As in what did they say, how did they say it (ie phone) and what did you say?

I'm much more inclined to think this is a misunderstanding than someone being malicious.

Original poster
lemondropcake · 22/06/2017 17:39

They said after speaking to both instructors on the yard neither of them received payment and asked if i had forgotten.
I told them i paid one of the instructors but not the lady who took my lesson and that she booked me in for next week.
They said they would get back to me about following lessons. In other words I'm not welcome to come to the next lesson.
So the instructor I paid has lied. I really can't see how she has forgotten about me paying her. We had a conversation she took the money and took my booking verbally. I just find it hard to believe she can't remember any of that.

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 22/06/2017 17:42

I think you're making more than a few assumptions there.

They may not have got hold of the instructor you paid. Presumably there's a few.

I would assume from that conversation they are following up on your new information.

greathat · 22/06/2017 17:45

I think I would contact them and ask if the payment has been found as if not you will be reporting to police. Someone has stolen from you. Report it! I also wouldn't be going back there

Original poster
lemondropcake · 22/06/2017 17:45

There was only two instructors. The lady said she spoke to both of them and they are both saying I haven't paid.
I can tell by the tone of the text conversation that they don't want to take my lessons further. Unless they suddenly get back to me and book me in then I am going to assume they don't believe me.

OP posts:
diddl · 22/06/2017 17:46

Sounds awful-the lying & the way it is run.

WTF are you going to the car to fetch money after the lesson?

Ridiculous!

You should be paying the instructor at the start of the lesson & making sure that they book you in again at the end.

Tell them that you don't want any more lessons at such a shoddy outfit & that you will be informing the police-not sure if they can do anything though.

alltouchedout · 22/06/2017 17:47

I'd go on the offensive and say that you expect the immediate refund of the money you have paid otherwise you will be reporting the theft.

alltouchedout · 22/06/2017 17:48

Sorry, realised just as I hit post that this was for a lesson you'd had, not one you'd booked but not yet had- so no refund to be demanded! But I'd still take a more 'aggressive' tack.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 22/06/2017 17:49

Why would she get a refund? Confused

I think she should definitely take the approach that she paid at X time a woman with the description ABC who had taught the lesson at Y time.

Then go somewhere else op. It doesn't sound like the relationship will recover.

alltouchedout · 22/06/2017 17:55

Why would she get a refund? confused

Yes, like I said above, I realised as I hit post the disputed payment was for a completed lesson, not a booked one.

SparklyMagpie · 22/06/2017 17:56

Wondering whether the fact you forgot to pay for the first lesson until contacted they're running with that this time?

Either way i would not be going back but i'd be speaking to them

Original poster
lemondropcake · 22/06/2017 17:59

I'm so upset because horses mean the world to me I was heavily involved when I was young but motherhood and work took up most of my time. Finally found somewhere that can offer me a weekly lesson and I was finally enjoying horses again.
Now my name is dragged through the mud over something I'm not guilty off. Now no lessons.
Only an apology would resolve this but it's not looking likely if someone is lieing through their teeth.
Not going to let her get away with it though. Will be going up there and calling her a liar infront of her customers.

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 22/06/2017 18:00

alltouchedout

Ok, our posts crossed, that's all!

PeaFaceMcgee · 22/06/2017 18:01

Or they could be a pack of bitches and know full well what they're doing to get rid of you Angry

flumpybear · 22/06/2017 18:02

I'd write in no uncertain terms that you paid the previous instructor and describe her - you gave her £30 and if she's stolen it the they're accusing the wrong person - also ask if they have any cctv perhaps they'd care to check it

AnnetteCurtains · 22/06/2017 18:04

Don't go up there and start calling her a liar in front of her customers
Go up and tell them you definitely paid with a description of the person
Stand your ground

Topseyt · 22/06/2017 18:19

Don't call her a liar. Be calm, assertive and firm.

"I definitely paid. I paid YOU! We definitely spoke in the car park and you promised to book my next lesson for me when you took the cash in. I trusted that that would happen and I am VERY concerned that it apparently hasn't. What happened to the money?"

That puts the ball into their court, with less offensive language.

Sanscollier · 22/06/2017 18:40

I know it's a hassle but I agree with pps who advise returning to the riding school, asking for a private word with the owner (you can ring and set up a meeting in advance if you want) and calmly and politely state your case, describing what happened and describing the instructor to whom you gave the money. If there are only two instructors, she will be easy to identify. Explain how you genuinely forgot to pay the first time and drove back all the way to rectify the situation.

Do not whatever you do call her a liar in front of her customers, or post on any more social media, until you have gone and stated your case and given them a chance to explain their side of the story too. This could be a genuine misunderstanding. Or it could be a symptom of very poor organisation (every riding school dd and I have attended give out paper receipts on payment or at least keep a payments book that you sign). Or the owner might be pleased to know that one of her employees is filching payments!

I think you will get a much better response if you are polite, calm and assertive (easy to say I know). Good luck op.

diddl · 22/06/2017 18:51

It's a really difficult one to prove either way, isn't it?

You'd think that after you accidentally drove off the first time it would have occurred to them to take money first-plus write it down!

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