DAS - no 'big bike' - UPDATE: partial refund, still ongoing

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

Hi guys,

I had my first lesson of a DAS course today.

Instructor dropped me on an ER-5, and I struggled a bit pushing it outside and getting going because I haven't handled a bike in a year or so.

They asked if I wanted to go on a 125cc to begin with - I accepted, assuming it'd be for an hour or two to get back into things, and figuring if I make a misstep such as dropping the clutch, it's a YBR.

Rode around, instructor had nothing but praise for me after I'd had 10-20 minutes.

I pestered at every opportunity, break etc to ask to be put back on the 500 now I'd had time to 'remember' what lever does what etc.

End of the day comes, I'm sitting here having had a reasonably long discussion with them about how they want me to sit my restricted (Mod 1 is tomorrow).
The person who handles financial matters is not back in the office until tomorrow, my lessons start at 0830 and my Mod 1 would be at 1100, which doesn't leave me much time to chat.

Now, I don't want a restricted license. That's not because I want a monster, in fact I'm probably going to buy something that is only a hair over 33bhp anyway. The simple matter is that if I had wanted to be restricted to what the DSA consider 'safe', I would have just bought another 125 after the CG and done the tests myself.

So I don't want to sit this test tomorrow, I'm happy to eat the £17 booking fee or whatever it is nowadays for Mod 1.

My question is - if they aren't happy for me to use their 500's, what can I do?

The entire purpose of me paying £500 for DAS was to get a chance to ride a bigger bike under reasonably controlled conditions, and have someone critique my riding.

The riding school's RAS (125) course costs £400ish. That has been suggested as an alternative, and I can buy the same bike I was going to anyway and restrict it. Somehow they think that would be safer (me going out on a 500cc for the first time, on my own, probably not even in my hometown) than them training me for a bit.

Probably a long shot here, but I'm wondering where I stand with regards to the following:

Will I have to pay for an RAS, even if I don't want to do one? They already have my £500, I paid in full and up front.

Will I have to pay for my training today? I took it under duress, with the carrot of being able to ride the bike I actually came to try constantly dangled. I'm happy to pay expenses like petrol, mod 1 fee, some wear and tear, etc, but today's training, if I pay what was outlined, cost £160 for roughly 4 hours on a 125cc. I honestly feel like after the first 20 minutes, I was back to where I used to be in terms of riding.

I've tried to post this without ranting, but the reality is I'm more than slightly peeved at present.

Their assessment of me potentially being unsafe on an ER5 (because I have a bit of trouble walking bikes around when I'm not sitting on them), I can accept. Their bikes, their rules.

What I'm not happy with is not being told, until after I'd used hours of instructor time and resources, that they seemingly never planned to let me have a go anyway once I'd made the (according to them) 'sensible' choice of taking things slowly.

Borris · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Karma :

You paid for DAS, if they arn't able to offer you it, you should get a full refund.

On the other hand, a restricted license is better than no license with the changes coming.
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Suzuki EN 125-2
Honda CB 500

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

the_quick · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Karma :

I would ask for money back, minus hours you've done. Take your business elsewhere if they don't want to complete the agreement.
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Bandit GSF600 '00

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

If I read this right you agreed with the company to do a DAS course and the tests.

Not unreasonably you were assessed on a 125cc. The instructor said you handled that fine.

So now the company are not going to give you the DAS course and the tests. Sounds like they broke the contract, Either do the DAS or get your money back. If paid with credit card it'll be easier.

At the end of the day you are the customer and you can chose who you spend your money with. If this company doesn't honour the commitment please name them. I'm sure others would appreciate the heads-up when choosing to spend money.

Hope you get it sorted. Please post outcome Thumbs Up

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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy

tbourner · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Karma :

Yeah I'd be inclined to go in tomorrow and fully expect to get on a 500, and if they act like they told you you'd be doing it on a 125, and it was agreed etc. just say no you paid for a DAS course, so either put me on a 500 or give me my money back.
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Trev, now a biker?
Looking for first big bike.

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

.Chris. · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Karma :

Did you sign any sort of terms of service, or similar? If you did, are you sure that buried in the small print somewhere, it doesn't have a clause to the effect that if they consider you unsuitable for DAS, they can put you on a 125 instead?

Otherwise it would seem like they're trying to deliver something substantially different (and inferior) to what you've paid for. I'd be wanting a refund.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Point blank refuse to do it on the 125, say "I have paid for a DAS course, I wish to ride my newly purchased *insert generic litre sports* and require this to do so."

"If you do not want me to continue, please issue me a full refund. I hold a CBT certificate meaning I have already been assessed and deemed safe enough to ride unsupervised, I would like the service I am paying for"

Kick the cunt in the nuts and steal the keys to his 500s

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

Benno · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2012 Karma :

Which school was this? I think I might try and avoid them if I can....

Hope you resolve this mate. Utter bullshit of them tbh.

cromwell · Traffic Copper Joined: 07 May 2011 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Hoping for a happy resolution on this.

I really do. It's no wonder the number of perpetual Learners out there is rising, with "Nanny knows best" training outfits like this still in business, making it look like getting a license is more cost and trouble than it's worth. Mad

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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Yes, Roger, that was very insightful, but there's no need to go on about it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

No... don't let them charge you £150...

That would be a very very pushover type give in.

You initially paid as you were expecting a DAS course. That was what you paid for. The terms were changed after the start of the course. Get a full refund. Do not leave untill they give a full refund.

Where are you based... anywhere close to Kent?

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Sorry if I missed it as trying to read posts on my phone but what is the name of this company offering this shoddy service and acting like they are doing you a favour?
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

Personally I would be calling them and asking for a refund right away. You've decided that the course they offered you is not what you requested and are entitled to a refund as the course offered is not what you paid for and you wish to go elsewhere.

If they tell you know just tell them they will be reported to the DSA and Trading standards and you will seek to recompense your money through legal means if needed.
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