Advice regarding Deposit

[Lasiorhinus]

Wow - thats the kind of behaviour from a business that should guarantee repeat customers, and through word of mouth, an increase in business.

Wish there were more businesses that prioritised people as much as this.

[Charlie Foxtrot India]

I don't know the people or the company involved here, but I'm glad that urkidnme has taken the trouble to detail the losses that are incurred by late cancellations and no shows. Few people realise the opportunity cost of potential bookings turned away,and an aircraft and instructor left sitting idle.

A small deposit has just about eliminated the problem for us. The only other option was to include the losses in the hourly rate for the reliable folk, not really a fair way to go. Some industries will charge you for the whole lot even if you don't turn up (some driving schools and riding schools for example, and hire car companies) though it is a bit hard to collect the fees from someone who is absent - hence deposit in advance.

Can see both sides of the argument here, but it does seem only reasonable to get the deposit back if they can fit in someone else in your place. Hope you can settle it amicably, this is a small industry after all; and all realise the importance of ensuring the tems are fully explained and understood at the time of payment.

Good luck!

[Capt Wally]

Direct_to, simply put, yr too damn nice, that's odd in aviation, harden up a little otherwise in aviation you will be stepped on!
Aviation & 'handshakes' (as in non signed documents) just don't mix!
Go about getting yr money back quietly as suggested here, at first, then be a man if they don't play fair & bring then down!



CW

[Pera]

they would minus the cost of books etc and transfer the remaining balance

Assuming that this means a refund, and you are not referring to transferring the balance to another course, then you should be entitled to a refund. You have entered a verbal contract with the FTO which states that you get a refund if you give them sufficient notice. You seem to have acted reasonable and your actions have given the FTO every opportunity to minimise any loss.

If you haven't signed anything contrary to this, write them a letter (you can email a copy but make sure you post it too) politely stating what you
were told when you made the deposit and making it clear what you are asking for. Make the letter simple and short. No need for an essay. You should give a reasonable time limit and state what your intentions are if they do not reply. Your intentions would usually be to lodge a complaint with your state 'office of fair trading.' This is not legal action.

Check your state 'office of fair trading' or 'consumer affairs' website for a sample letter.

It makes no difference what the company's policys are, only what you were told. Don't rely on any further verbal communication with the company (or any promises made on this site). If they ring you, ask them to verify any promises they make in writing, and don't call off any consumer affairs action until you have your money back. If their policy is as rock tight as mentioned in previous posts, then they should have got you to sign a contract stating the policy.

The deposits have been non-refundable for some time,thats why they are deposits...just like a house deposit,if you dont go through with the sale then you lose the deposit.This is policy for many companies in varied industries and I dont see a problem with that at all....as I said they make a commitment to you and you to them.

This is incorrect information. The conditions of a deposit depend on the agreement entered into. I'm sure you didn't sign anything that looked like real estate contract. A house deposit can be refunded for all sorts of reasons.

Most important, always act reasonably. Don't get angry and don't make threats. You have substantial rights under consumer affairs regulations and you don't need to damage their business to get your money back.

Of course if you have signed a contract or you were told that the deposit was not refundable, or there was conditions to it's refund, then you may have a much harder time getting your money back. Based on your first post, you should be fine.

[Capt Wally]

oh no..........the spelling/grammar Nazi's are out in force, see told ya 'Direct_to', harden up or you'll get stood on !
Once you have yr money back get back to the task at hand here, learning that aviation is full of traps for the 'nice'


CW

[lk978]

Why should a junior pilot pay for a business's poor planning and course management.

simple economics:

cost of course / participants + 25% for drop outs = price for course

If the company cannot runn effectively under this policy then they have to take a good look at themselves.

Tell them to deal with it and, never pay up front for anything in aviation.