Prepaid for lessons... Instructor has gone dark. Advice?

[CrisPy3]

* I'm not entirely sure if this is the best forum, so please move/suggest the appropriate place if need be *

 

All,

 

I'm looking for similar circumstances and a possible resolution (if there is one). I won't name the instructor, but here's the situation -

 

At the end of last summer, I had been seeing a somewhat reputable instructor and had probably 3-4 lessons to date. He taught at a few different established golf facilities over the years and seemed like a really solid guy. Since things were progressing nicely, I asked if there was any type of discount to be had if I committed to a series. We agreed on the number of lessons - $500 for 5 lessons - and that the current lesson would be the first (with four remaining). So I paid on the spot, and then... things went sideways.

 

On the day of the next lesson, he texted and said he wasn't feeling well and would need to reschedule. It happens, so no big deal. Then... silence. Text messages aren't responded to. I find him on LinkedIn and send him a message, to which he then replies by text and apologizes for the lack of communication. I chalk it up to life getting in the way and ask when we can meet again and he says he's at a new facility and we can meet there. Great. Then... again nothing. The winter passes by, I'm sending texts about once a month to check in thinking that maybe he's gone to Florida or some warm weather place like a lot of instructors. But then his website goes under/unclaimed and now, I can't find him and I'm out $400. I've even texted him that I would take equipment (he used to sell custom clubs as well) if he doesn't have the time. I'm trying to be as accommodating as I can. 

 

I suppose my next step is small claims, but at this point, I'm not sure how to even find the guy. He's still active on Twitter... so... he's alive. I would appreciate any input if you've experienced something similar or have a legal background or any other helpful advice. 

 

Thanks, WRX. 

[chigolfer1]

25 minutes ago, CrisPy3 said:

* I'm not entirely sure if this is the best forum, so please move/suggest the appropriate place if need be *

 

All,

 

I'm looking for similar circumstances and a possible resolution (if there is one). I won't name the instructor, but here's the situation -

 

At the end of last summer, I had been seeing a somewhat reputable instructor and had probably 3-4 lessons to date. He taught at a few different established golf facilities over the years and seemed like a really solid guy. Since things were progressing nicely, I asked if there was any type of discount to be had if I committed to a series. We agreed on the number of lessons - $500 for 5 lessons - and that the current lesson would be the first (with four remaining). So I paid on the spot, and then... things went sideways.

 

On the day of the next lesson, he texted and said he wasn't feeling well and would need to reschedule. It happens, so no big deal. Then... silence. Text messages aren't responded to. I find him on LinkedIn and send him a message, to which he then replies by text and apologizes for the lack of communication. I chalk it up to life getting in the way and ask when we can meet again and he says he's at a new facility and we can meet there. Great. Then... again nothing. The winter passes by, I'm sending texts about once a month to check in thinking that maybe he's gone to Florida or some warm weather place like a lot of instructors. But then his website goes under/unclaimed and now, I can't find him and I'm out $400. I've even texted him that I would take equipment (he used to sell custom clubs as well) if he doesn't have the time. I'm trying to be as accommodating as I can. 

 

I suppose my next step is small claims, but at this point, I'm not sure how to even find the guy. He's still active on Twitter... so... he's alive. I would appreciate any input if you've experienced something similar or have a legal background or any other helpful advice. 

 

Thanks, WRX. 

 

Wasn't clear from your post.  Is he associated with a particular golf course or range when you started the lessons?  I see you said he claimed he's at a new facility but what about the one where you first gave him the money?  I would think that would be the first place to start.

[Hawkeye77]

You are screwed, move on.

 

Seriously, you are screwed, move on.

 

There is nothing else.

[Long_Left]

Text/dm him that he has a certain timeframe to make it right with a clear expectation of what that is, refund etc. Then, if he misses the established timeframe, proceed to call him out publicly and contact his club/facility, he can't be that hard to find if he makes his living in a service industry. Protect the field, he'll take other people's money and bail as well. 

 

All this assumes your side of the story is the truth, and I'm not saying it isn't, just that there is another party involved. Without receipts or an invoice etc you'll get nowhere in small claims. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure you need some proof that money changed hands and services were not rendered.

[chigolfer1]

5 minutes ago, Long_Left said:

Text/dm him that he has a certain timeframe to make it right with a clear expectation of what that is, refund etc. Then, if he misses the established timeframe, proceed to call him out publicly and contact his club/facility, he can't be that hard to find if he makes his living in a service industry. Protect the field, he'll take other people's money and bail as well. 

 

All this assumes your side of the story is the truth, and I'm not saying it isn't, just that there is another party involved. Without receipts or an invoice etc you'll get nowhere in small claims. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure you need some proof that money changed hands and services were not rendered.

 

Yeah, that's the thing.  If this guy has any sort of "name" or presence in the industry, then call him out.  If he doesn't, then yea, probably buyer beware in the first place for giving him $500 upfront.

[Velcade]

Do you know where he works?  Drive out there and ask for your money back.  At this point you need to find someone else, with or without your money back. 

[SNIPERBBB]

Small claims and see if he shows up. 

[CrisPy3]

58 minutes ago, chigolfer1 said:

 

Wasn't clear from your post.  Is he associated with a particular golf course or range when you started the lessons?  I see you said he claimed he's at a new facility but what about the one where you first gave him the money?  I would think that would be the first place to start.

Yep, I called. They simply said he was no longer working there and they don't know where he went. 

[CrisPy3]

48 minutes ago, Long_Left said:

Text/dm him that he has a certain timeframe to make it right with a clear expectation of what that is, refund etc. Then, if he misses the established timeframe, proceed to call him out publicly and contact his club/facility, he can't be that hard to find if he makes his living in a service industry. Protect the field, he'll take other people's money and bail as well. 

 

All this assumes your side of the story is the truth, and I'm not saying it isn't, just that there is another party involved. Without receipts or an invoice etc you'll get nowhere in small claims. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure you need some proof that money changed hands and services were not rendered.

Solid points.

 

I'm trying to figure out if maybe something is wrong with the guy. He really didn't seem like a con artist, but this is shady. And I do have a credit card statement - that's it. 

[Zitlow]

Is it too late to file a dispute for the charges with your credit card company? 

[me05501]

That sucks. Chances are you're not the only person in the same boat. When someone's life spins out of control the damage is rarely contained to one victim. 

 

If you paid him personally you're likely out of luck and will just have to move on. If you paid the facility where he was working you might lean on them to provide you something of value in exchange for your lost lessons. 

 

It's easy to let the anger over stuff like this linger and fester. That won't benefit you at all so try and find a way to let it go. Make up a tragic backstory for why the guy had to go dark and pretend it's true. Easier to move on that way. 

Edited June 20, 2023 by me05501

[CrisPy3]

1 minute ago, me05501 said:

That sucks. Chances are you're not the only person in the same boat. When someone's life spins out of control the damage is rarely contained to one victim. 

 

If you paid him personally you're likely out of luck and will just have to move on. If you paid the facility where he was working you might lean on them to provide you something of value in exchange for your lost lessons. 

 

It's easy to let the anger over stuff like this linger and fester. That won't benefit you at all, so try and fine a way to let it go. Make up a tragic backstory for why the guy had to go dark and pretend it's true. Easier to move on that way. 

Thanks, yeah that's kind of where I'm heading.

[Long_Left]

13 minutes ago, CrisPy3 said:

Solid points.

 

I'm trying to figure out if maybe something is wrong with the guy. He really didn't seem like a con artist, but this is shady. And I do have a credit card statement - that's it. 

DM him on Twitter (make a burner in case he blocks you) since he's still active, maybe his life is spiraling. But in the end, you didn't cause it and you're out $400. Your level of empathy is your own, maybe you eat the $400 because you feel bad for him, maybe you send Vinny and the boys in to collect? Your finances are also your own, but no way I'm dealing with the courts for $400, you'll spend triple that in time and frustration.

[RoyalTroon]

Yeah, I was thinking posting on his Twitter account also.  Other than that it's mercenary time...

[Gsea]

Name him, golfWRX will haunt his arse

[tthomasgolfer605]

Most likely, he was kidnapped by a carload of angry alcoholic poets. 

[phizzy30]

17 minutes ago, BALLYBUNION said:

Yeah, I was thinking posting on his Twitter account also.  Other than that it's mercenary time...

Wait, so you got screwed too?  This guy must be a real piece of work........

Edited June 20, 2023 by phizzy30

[RoyalTroon]

Just now, phizzy30 said:

Wait, so you got screwed too?

 

No no.  I was thinking about offering that suggestion like the post above mine.  Internet clarity, yikes!

[Hawkeye77]

3 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

Small claims and see if he shows up. 

Depending on where he lives just filing and paying to serve the guy by whatever means required will eat up maybe half of the $400 and even if the guy doesn't show, the judgment will likely be 99% useless in terms of collecting and/or netting anything worth getting after whatever those expenses may be.

 

It's a waste of time.  Guy has wasted more mental energy on this than $400 already and he let it go for about 9 months without really doing anything and made it even more unlikely to get any money back.  

 

The other suggestions of haunting the guy and so forth are pointless.  

 

Really just needs to file it under experience and move on.

[Lobby]

Dox him.  

[Zitlow]

I like the excommunicado approach. When an individual is excommunicado, they lose all access to Continental services, including protection from other Continental members. This means the excommunicado may be killed without repercussions.

 

[Chunkitgood]

Mr. 77 is 100% correct.  You do not sound like the kind of man who would actually enjoy just screwing with the guy for revenge, so don’t do it.

 

As to protecting the field, there is no reason to believe he has a practice of accepting money for a series of lessons, which you requested him to do for a discount.

[TayTaySlam]

You probably don’t want instruction from a guy who does these types of things anyway so chalk it up as a loss for your pocketbook but a win for your swing 

[ALIF]

This guy would be on my brick list. If I was upset enough I might even take the time to see where he is, where he parks his car if you know what I mean.

[PedronNiall]

5 hours ago, Zitlow said:

Is it too late to file a dispute for the charges with your credit card company? 

This is by far the best route, assuming you paid by card anyway. Any of the major CC companies will do a chargeback without issue so long as you can provide documentation that the lessons weren't provided, which it sounds like you can do with the texts & LinkedIn messages.

[CrisPy3]

3 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Depending on where he lives just filing and paying to serve the guy by whatever means required will eat up maybe half of the $400 and even if the guy doesn't show, the judgment will likely be 99% useless in terms of collecting and/or netting anything worth getting after whatever those expenses may be.

 

It's a waste of time.  Guy has wasted more mental energy on this than $400 already and he let it go for about 9 months without really doing anything and made it even more unlikely to get any money back.  

 

The other suggestions of haunting the guy and so forth are pointless.  

 

Really just needs to file it under experience and move on.

Just to be clear, I’ve been doing everything I can for the past 9 months. Appreciate your comments. Have a good one

[CrisPy3]

21 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

This is by far the best route, assuming you paid by card anyway. Any of the major CC companies will do a chargeback without issue so long as you can provide documentation that the lessons weren't provided, which it sounds like you can do with the texts & LinkedIn messages.

I paid with my Chase Visa. I checked and they explicitly call out claims can be made for up to 60 days. I suppose it’s still worth a call. Thanks

[PedronNiall]

22 minutes ago, CrisPy3 said:

I paid with my Chase Visa. I checked and they explicitly call out claims can be made for up to 60 days. I suppose it’s still worth a call. Thanks

I'd explain to them that the guy has actively been giving you the runaround so you had good reason to believe you'd still receive the agreed-upon services. They'll likely work with you given the proof of how the situation evolved you have available.

[crucible]

6 hours ago, Gsea said:

Name him, golfWRX will haunt his arse

This!

 

[CrisPy3]

1 hour ago, PedronNiall said:

I'd explain to them that the guy has actively been giving you the runaround so you had good reason to believe you'd still receive the agreed-upon services. They'll likely work with you given the proof of how the situation evolved you have available.

You were right. I called chase and they’ve reimbursed me pending a review. Thank you very much and i appreciate all the help and responses. 
 

I’m not going to name the guy but I’ll only say he’s in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area and if anyone sees this in the future, feel free to IM. 
 

Thanks again

Edited June 21, 2023 by CrisPy3