Just wondering what the concensus would be if a genuine Guaranteed Pass course were on offer.
If there was a set and final sum for the training and use of vehicle for tests, and this was fully refundable if the trainer gave up (minus test fees) then this is surely a very safe proposal?
How much should such a guaranteed pass course cost?
I know that such things have, in the past, attracted a bad press. I was just considering what the reaction would be. Please don’t shout at me - only trying to help!!
Putting kettle on and expecting a busy evening!!
Genuine replies are honestly very welcome. Thanks, Pete
Are you talking one category or 2? I would consider 3500 a good deal for guaranteed pass on C and CE for both parties.
However I would also like a 4 hour artic coupling and reversing course as I would find that beneficial for skill transfer so I could theoretically drive any rigid or ‘bendy’
Peter Smythe:
Genuine replies are honestly very welcome. Thanks, Pete
Hi Peter,
As you’ve said, this kind of thing has attracted a bad press, but you have a solid reputation over many years, which others who made similar offers didn’t have.
The only thing I’d suggest is that you’d need to draw up the terms and conditions in plain English.
I think you’d have to have a set number of re-tests in mind, whilst accepting that on some occasions you’re going to take a hit.
If you do the ‘guaranteed pass’ scheme as an option alongside you normal LGV course offerings and give trainees a choice, then I can only see it as setting you apart from other providers in a good way.
You should be OK if you leave the word “nationwide” out of the advertising.
Peter Smythe:
Just wondering what the concensus would be if a genuine Guaranteed Pass course were on offer.
If there was a set and final sum for the training and use of vehicle for tests, and this was fully refundable if the trainer gave up (minus test fees) then this is surely a very safe proposal?
How much should such a guaranteed pass course cost?
I know that such things have, in the past, attracted a bad press. I was just considering what the reaction would be. Please don’t shout at me - only trying to help!!
Putting kettle on and expecting a busy evening!!
Genuine replies are honestly very welcome. Thanks, Pete
Recipe for disaster. Random thought off top of my head - what you gonna do if one of your competitors sends a kid to you to deliberately ■■■■ up the test each time to bankrupt you? You’ve guaranteed the pass so the money will keep coming out of your pocket, unless of course you use a load of sneaky small print which essentially null and voids the “guarantee”. And that’s just one example, I’m sure there are plenty of others.
If your rep is as good as you claim on these forums then there should be no reason to operate such schemes. Something not adding up here…
Good idea although you might want to make it subject to a pre-course driving assessment so you can take a view whether you’re taking someone on who’s got a decent chance of passing. Let’s be honest, most people get to a standard where they can pass but fall foul of nerves and maybe bad luck on the day so your exposure is hopefully no more than a re test.
Thinking about it, when I did my test had, I known that I was under a guaranteed pass scheme it might have taken the nerves away a bit although I managed to scrape through anyway.
We offer unlimited free retest training (excl test fees) as an option.
We analysed the pass rate and came to the conclusion that it took 1.8 tests per candidate to get them through. Obviously free retest training costs us money but overall it has been a success.
The candidates are definately more relaxed at test time and of course this helps the pass rate. The way we see it is better to have the vehicle full than empty. There are not that many people who take more than 2 tests.
Thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to respond. But, with one exception, no-one’s given idea of acceptable cost!
only see it as setting you apart from other providers in a good way.
Have a great desire to be set apart from the dross - but there are plenty I’m very happy to associate with
you’d need to draw up the terms and conditions in plain English.
I can only do plain English!
Recipe for disaster. Random thought off top of my head - what you gonna do if one of your competitors sends a kid to you to deliberately [zb] up the test each time to bankrupt you? You’ve guaranteed the pass so the money will keep coming out of your pocket, unless of course you use a load of sneaky small print which essentially null and voids the “guarantee”. And that’s just one example, I’m sure there are plenty of others.
I did say that if the trainer (us) gave up, that would be the end of it. But a refund of all training fees would be given. Never used sneaky small print yet and not about to start - but I understand the scepticism.
If your rep is as good as you claim on these forums then there should be no reason to operate such schemes.
My rep is better than I ever claim on the forums. The reason for considering such a scheme is to “put my money where my mouth is” and to fully support the candidate in getting the licence. I never lie about the availabilty of work. So this is as far as I can go
th in obtaining their licence. I never claim to get folk jobs - but I can try and help with the licence
make it subject to a pre-course driving assessment so you can take a view whether you’re taking someone on who’s got a decent chance of passing.
Assessments are always on offer anyway - FOC. But some of our candidates come and spend a few days with us having travelled from anywhere in the UK so it’s not always practical. I would not exclude anyone from the proposed course regardless of the assessment. It may just take a little longer to achieve the desired result
Would the reward be worth the risk? (for yourself)
This is a difficult concept for most people to understand: the training job has been very good to me and my family for many years. I’m not rich but I aint poor. And I genuinely have no problem with helping people into the industry that’s never done me any harm. So the answer to the question is - I don’t know and I really don’t care.
i think its a great idea pete and mat has hit the nail on head to be honest.
I think you should look into it and sign me up as a guinea pig asap
Watch this space!!
We offer unlimited free retest training (excl test fees) as an option.
Which is loads more than is normally on offer! Wanted to go one big step further with a full refund of training fees if it aint going to happen
Peter Smythe:
Wanted to go one big step further with a full refund of training fees if it aint going to happen
That is a big brave step to take. I cannot imagine you would ever make many refunds as most people can be brought to test standard with enough training and it will always seem a better option to continue training them as each hour’s training takes them closer to a pass result.
What this type of idea does do is give reassurance to the candidate that it is genuinely in both your best interests for him to pass and that you do not rely on retest fees to run your business. We provide a full day’s training 2:1 for each retest attempt. It is unthinkable that any candidate would deliberately fail just to get more free training. They still have to pay the test fee, take time off work and travel to you so they will always try their best to pass.
Are you thinking of offering this option at a premium or as standard with all courses?
Are you thinking of offering this option at a premium or as standard with all courses?
Hi John. Thanks for your support with the idea. My plan (if I go ahead with it) would be to sell the course at a premium rate. Whilst I really am a very nice guy, I’m not a charity and do have to pay the bills!
I currently offer 2 types of CAT C course trying to cover the options of 1:1, 2:1, weekdays, Saturdays, Saturday tests and costs ranging currently from £899 all incl to £1200 all incl.
I was hoping to get some guidance on what fee might be acceptable for my new idea.
I’m not stupid and I know I’ll sometimes get my fingers burned. That’s life. But, for the best part, I see it as a relaxer for the candidate to take some of the pressure out.
I agree with you that no-one’s going to deliberately fail as it’s ultimately not in their interests.
In the region of £1500 per course - would be interesting to see what the uptake would be - probably more if the charge was lower but you would have to assess if that was commercially viable . Is there a danger that only weaker candidates would take up this option ? Assuming that the majority of resits passed at second attempt £1300 . Have you an analysis of reasons for failures and how much additional tuition on average is required to bring the candidate up to test standard . Interesting idea . I passed Cat C at second attempt ( had difficulty with range change ) . As I trained in Northern Ireland have adjusted the rates to those in England . With your scheme it would be very much in your interest to ensure that the candidate passed first time . Good luck with the idea.
Thanks to you all for your replies. It’s been very interesting. Having put together your responses with other research, we’ve decided to offer this course.
I’ll be doing it myself to start with to “trial” it and it’s available from when I’m back off sick - - start of October. So it’s no good to anyone in a rush but for anyone thinking about it the details are on our website.
Once again, thanks for taking part in the research - it’s appreciated.
Good luck to everyone training and testing this week, Pete
Hi Peter,
i do think your idea would work, i know when i did my Cat C the thought of not passing thus costing around another £300 for a retest just adds towards the immense pressure your already under.
To have that little cushion to fall back on should you fail would put the trainey mind at rest a bit.
Well im just about to book my Cat C+E, im not in that much of a rush so you will prob be getting a call from me to book it up mate.
will let you know soon.
cheers
I think this would work as an addition, if you can get someone to underwrite a policy, sell an insured pass-pass or something along those lines.
Lots of people still think of sales gimmicks as simply that, things like free servicing, 10% extra, Bogofs and buy now pay later. Unfortunately in my experience I tend to agree.
I think this would work as an addition, if you can get someone to underwrite a policy, sell an insured pass-pass or something along those lines.
That’s exactly what I’ve done - except it’s self insured
Lots of people still think of sales gimmicks as simply that, things like free servicing, 10% extra, Bogofs and buy now pay later. Unfortunately in my experience I tend to agree.
Fully understand - but, with respect - I want to prove you wrong. It’s a genuine attempt to help folk into the industry taking a little of the stress out of it. The other “biggy” is getting the first job. I’ve never got involved in that because that’s not our remit. But the test pass is and that’s what I’m trying to help with. And yes, unashamedly, it may well increase sales. But only in a perfectly fair, open and transparent manner. No=one can ever say they’ve been ripped off by me. I wouldn’t sleep at night!!
