12/28/08

BEWARE!!! KNOW THE FACTS!

by pwhitmore

I am a very frustrated mother writing to warn you about Central Driving Academy. For your own good, do not send your children here. First of all, your children are being taught by people who I don't think are even certified. Ask to see their certification like I did - It doesn't exist. They charge your credit card without even asking you. WHAT IS THAT?? I wish they would be respectful, especially in these hard economic times and realize that MY credit card is not THEIR credit card and they can't do with it what they please. Second, you can never get ahold of the manager. She does not speak to clients. Period. Third, you MUST give them 24 hour notice to cancel an appointment (what if you child comes down with the flu the day of the lesson?they are suppose to be sick whole time or I have to pay for the lesson again, even though I already paid for it???) Yet - they don't bother to give you notice prior to cancellation. I have had them cancel on me at the time of the lesson and it's always something like, "Our car broke down". Well, it seems like their car breaks down every week because other moms have told me the same thing! And that's the car we're suppose to be sending out children out in!!! Fourth, you child has 6 months to complete 8 hours of behind the wheel lessons. Sounds okay, right? Well, what they don't tell you is that you can only schedule lessons once every 2 weeks and that they only have 1 driver. 1 driver!!! Fifth, my daughter's friend was in class with the manager over the summer and she said that she actually screamed at the kids and made everyone write an essay of apology just because one person spoke out-of-turn. Sixth, they actually try to scam you!! I've heard the office staff talk about not notifying people of expiration dates just so they'll have to pay again. This place is a living nightmare!! Stay away!!

• Pros: The instructors are kind
• Cons: Half of their videos don't even work and are from the early 90's!

11/22/08

fooled me twice

by roseglass

After having had my first kid go through this place you'd think i'd have learned my lesson. These people cannot keep an appointment for anything. Not only that but they charge your credit card without consent, even up to a year after the appointment. I didn't even know I had a balance!, then when i called to ask, i was told that they had tried to contact me, I am not one to leave things unpaid. I thought that maybe in the few years since my oldest went there, maybe they would have cleaned up thier act, having heard mixed reviews from other parents at the school they attend. It got even worse. My child's classroom portion was a joke, he had some kid basically teach them nothing, and according to my son his instructor let them do whatever they wanted. Then the driving portion was even worse, Central cancelled on me a total of four times. By the time that my son got his second lesson in, I was told that his course was going to expire, and i'd have to purchase a new one. Beware of this place!

-an angry mother

• Pros: non
• Cons: waste of time and money

05/24/08

Fantastic instructors, understanding and very accommidating staff

by mrcanne

We are very satisified with the way our programs went. I have 3 kids and they ALL went through Central. As time pass their programs change,but the program works! I must say with out the office's guidence and the instructor's patience they would not have their licenses today. I as a mother am very protective of them and i would have never felt they were ready if it was all up to me. I had to exprience the 6 month dead line but we had no problem completing the 8 hrs in that time. Eddie was my 3rd son's driving instuctor and they went out driving on the weekends and even at night after my son's practices. Eddie motivated my son to set the next appointments after their lessons and gave him things to practice while we were waiting for our appointment. Look, I can go on and on about them, I feel very very satisfied and I wish them the best.