IAM 'Skill For Life' price increase at beginning of April
Discussion
I've just found out that the IAM Skill For Life package is going up from £99 to £139 on April 1st.
If you're considering it, then I'd recommend signing up in the next two weeks - and spend the money you save on copies of Roadcraft and Mind Driving.
If you're considering it, then I'd recommend signing up in the next two weeks - and spend the money you save on copies of Roadcraft and Mind Driving.
Membership has gone up from £15 to £28 as well.
Two issues IMO:
(1) Costs are going up
(2) The IAM could do with a root and branch review of costs and revenues
It shouldn't cost £28. But OK.
And it certainly shouldn't cost £139 for Skill For Life. Or perhaps it should... but the under 25s who could benefit most - we should be GIVING it to them (if possible). Certainly it should cost them peanuts...
Two issues IMO:
(1) Costs are going up
(2) The IAM could do with a root and branch review of costs and revenues
It shouldn't cost £28. But OK.
And it certainly shouldn't cost £139 for Skill For Life. Or perhaps it should... but the under 25s who could benefit most - we should be GIVING it to them (if possible). Certainly it should cost them peanuts...
Don said:
Membership has gone up from £15 to £28 as well.
Two issues IMO:
(1) Costs are going up
(2) The IAM could do with a root and branch review of costs and revenues
It shouldn't cost £28. But OK.
And it certainly shouldn't cost £139 for Skill For Life. Or perhaps it should... but the under 25s who could benefit most - we should be GIVING it to them (if possible). Certainly it should cost them peanuts...
I was 23 (well still am!) when I did my Skill for Life course I got a substantial discount.Two issues IMO:
(1) Costs are going up
(2) The IAM could do with a root and branch review of costs and revenues
It shouldn't cost £28. But OK.
And it certainly shouldn't cost £139 for Skill For Life. Or perhaps it should... but the under 25s who could benefit most - we should be GIVING it to them (if possible). Certainly it should cost them peanuts...
I'd have been happy paying more if I am completely honest. Learnt alot of valuable skills and got some instruction off some highly qualified and professional drivers which in my opinion was worth much more than I paid.
Glad that I qualfied as an observer last week. Seem to be learning an awful lot doing that aswell!
£99 to £139 is more than a 40% increase! I believe that the % increase is more important than the final price as that is what will annoy prospective recruits.
The £20 discount for under 26-year-olds is also to be removed. So for this group, who we are told are a target group for the IAM to encourage to improve their driving, the increase is from £79 to £139 - a 76% increase.
The IAM claim to have commissioned research that showed that the take up of Skill For Life is not price sensitive. One group that was asked was recent purchasers! - why should they care if the price is increased? As usual the 'research' produced the result wanted by the IAM.
As Membership Secretary of my local group I had convinced a local charity organisation to pay for their 16 volunteer drivers to complete Skill For Life - 'my' group will reinburse £25 to the charity organisation's funds for each volunteer driver that 'passes the test'. As they can't possible get the applications in by 2nd April I now have to tell them that it will cost £40 more for each driver. I suspect that the trustees of the charity organisation will now not go ahead.
I also note that all of the increase goes to the IAM head office - none of it is passed on to the local groups.
As these latest increases in fees follow on soon after the steep increaze in membership fee I almost certainly won't be renewing my IAM membership in July. This means that my local group will lose its membership secretary. I no longer feel that I am prepared to give my time (for free) to support the IAM as it seems keener on milking members and prospective members than cutting costs and helping local groups in improving driving standards.
The £20 discount for under 26-year-olds is also to be removed. So for this group, who we are told are a target group for the IAM to encourage to improve their driving, the increase is from £79 to £139 - a 76% increase.
The IAM claim to have commissioned research that showed that the take up of Skill For Life is not price sensitive. One group that was asked was recent purchasers! - why should they care if the price is increased? As usual the 'research' produced the result wanted by the IAM.
As Membership Secretary of my local group I had convinced a local charity organisation to pay for their 16 volunteer drivers to complete Skill For Life - 'my' group will reinburse £25 to the charity organisation's funds for each volunteer driver that 'passes the test'. As they can't possible get the applications in by 2nd April I now have to tell them that it will cost £40 more for each driver. I suspect that the trustees of the charity organisation will now not go ahead.
I also note that all of the increase goes to the IAM head office - none of it is passed on to the local groups.
As these latest increases in fees follow on soon after the steep increaze in membership fee I almost certainly won't be renewing my IAM membership in July. This means that my local group will lose its membership secretary. I no longer feel that I am prepared to give my time (for free) to support the IAM as it seems keener on milking members and prospective members than cutting costs and helping local groups in improving driving standards.
IIRC there is a 'grace' period for SfL courses purchased via groups who can get the £99 price until the end of April. Best check with Head Office though in case I misunderstood.
When this all dies down I'd be interested to see what the effect on membership numbers and Skill for Life takeup has been. Our group has lost a Chief Observer and a lot of members because of the combined effect of the cost increase and several ill-judged press releases.
When this all dies down I'd be interested to see what the effect on membership numbers and Skill for Life takeup has been. Our group has lost a Chief Observer and a lot of members because of the combined effect of the cost increase and several ill-judged press releases.
This is one confirmation that making my decision to not renewing my membership this year to the increase was correct.
IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
The IAM is indeed a joke, but not a very funny one with all.
IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
The IAM is indeed a joke, but not a very funny one with all.
Vaux said:
Glosphil said:
.... As they can't possible get the applications in by 2nd April I now have to tell them that it will cost £40 more for each driver.
If they join via your Group they have till end of April. Ask to see the full memo sent to your Sec/Chair.As far as I know 'my' group has never used this method - don't know why (less money handling?) - and have always had applicants send their forms direct to HQ.
Thanks for the reminder - I will discuss joining via the Group with our chairman.
Edited by Glosphil on Monday 23 March 13:03
A - W said:
This is one confirmation that making my decision to not renewing my membership this year to the increase was correct.
IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
I think a lot of long-standing IAM members share your sentiments, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
The IAM is still the largest road safety charity, and the organisation best placed to bring better driving skills to the general public. If I acted on my 'well sod them then' impulse then the four Associates a year I get through the test would miss out, and I'd lose a valuable way of keeping my own driving up to scratch.
Recent communications from Head Office about the way the organisation is going have reassured me slightly, and I think the clear message sent by the membership at the AGM might have been heard. I'm going to stick with it a while longer, and give them a chance to sort themselves out.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
A - W said:
This is one confirmation that making my decision to not renewing my membership this year to the increase was correct.
IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
I think a lot of long-standing IAM members share your sentiments, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.IAM HQ have lost the grip and now expecting the street soldiers to recover the costs of their expensive wages and expenses.
The IAM is still the largest road safety charity, and the organisation best placed to bring better driving skills to the general public. If I acted on my 'well sod them then' impulse then the four Associates a year I get through the test would miss out, and I'd lose a valuable way of keeping my own driving up to scratch.
Recent communications from Head Office about the way the organisation is going have reassured me slightly, and I think the clear message sent by the membership at the AGM might have been heard. I'm going to stick with it a while longer, and give them a chance to sort themselves out.
The recent communications from HQ to our group reassured no one or nothing in my eyes but the best of luck to you and yours.
A - W said:
There will be no discount for being young soon.
£139 is a LOT of money to pay upfront.If for whatever reason they decide they need to make more money out of it they should atleast have an entry cost of a reasonable figure (say £75) and then a nominal per-lesson cost. Say £8 based on 8 lessons.
Daniel
dhutch said:
A - W said:
There will be no discount for being young soon.
£139 is a LOT of money to pay upfront.If for whatever reason they decide they need to make more money out of it they should atleast have an entry cost of a reasonable figure (say £75) and then a nominal per-lesson cost. Say £8 based on 8 lessons.
Daniel
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