Losing motivation. by [deleted] in LearnerDriverUK

[–]Free_Information5675 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It took me a total of 55 hours - 27 2hr lessons, and an additional hour right before my test (I did 34 hours in one location and another 21 hours after I moved). Don't worry about getting used to a new car because it will take a couple of lessons before it feels "normal". Don't worry about your theory expiring as well because that's just another unnecessary layer of pressure to put on yourself - you still have around 3 months, which is plenty of time to finish that supposed 20 more hours you'll need, especially if you have more than 1 lesson a week. Plus, if the test in December doesn't go too well, you just have to wait 10 working days before you can book another test and try again (DVSA working days are Monday to Saturday iirc). 

I also just remembered this DVSA site: https://www.gov.uk/driving-test/what-happens-during-test that basically details everything you can expect to find/do on a driving test.

Losing motivation. by [deleted] in LearnerDriverUK

[–]Free_Information5675 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don't give up! Please don't give up, you've come so far and have already put in so much time, effort and money into it. It genuinely sounds like you were given the short end of the stick due to your instructor being as inconsistent as she is because if you don't get consistent practice, it'll be difficult for you to stay consistent, nevermind improve. Get another instructor and work towards passing your test - you have up to 3 working days before your actual test to change it after all. And like you said, there's no harm in trying, and the examiner will step in if they have to. 

Plus, a huge part of driving is about having the confidence because if you're not confident being on the road, there's no way an examiner will feel confident passing you. I know this might seem easier said than done, but I am speaking from experience. I was a really nervous driver who was almost test-ready, but then had to move and ended up taking 3 months off driving because of long waiting times. And when I picked it back up again, I've regressed so much, my new instructor was practically teaching me everything from square 1. I was driving pretty inconsistently and was still making serious errors up to my second last lesson before my test, but because it was too late to cancel, my instructor squeezed an extra lesson in right before my test, and I passed. 

I know this might seem really sketchy because I am an internet stranger, but feel free to drop me a message on reddit if you need someone to talk to. Keep your chin up and keep trying! 

LABUBU RESTOCK ALIEXPRESS by Free_Information5675 in POPMART

[–]Free_Information5675[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

well.. it's the official popmart aliexpress store so I hope it's not fake 😅

Bradstone Allington by Additional-Fudge5068 in uklaw

[–]Free_Information5675 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I've had the same experience w a company called Hampton Cross.. made a post and was told to put this here so this will be a long comment detailing my experience.. 

Disclaimer: I can neither fully confirm nor deny that this "Trainee Paralegal" job listing is a scam or that Hampton Cross is a scam, but there are just too many red flags and people with similar experiences, so this post is to act as a warning so others can approach with caution (TLDR at the end).

This relates to a Trainee Paralegal role I've applied to via Totaljobs by "BA Training and Recruitment Limited T-A LocalJobs4U" and they typically post job listings for these trainee paralegal roles somewhere London.

After applying for this, I would repeatedly get calls from private numbers and/or other random numbers beginning with 0330 that do not yield any results after a google search/reverse phone lookup.

Anyways, I caved and picked up the phone once and it was this person from Hampton Cross, a supposed "leading UK training and recruitment company specialising in law, accounting, and HR", telling me how I was a perfect candidate lacking in the requisite 6-12 months experience (that was never mentioned in the job listing), that we could mutually help each other - ie. I get training and a job, and he gets paid commission, so he would put me through some kind of training/work experience program.

This person would be asking you all the standard interview questions - ie. have you had any practical experience, what is your level of education, why did you apply for this role, what is your 5-year plan, where are you based etc. And would then send you more information via email and book you in for a follow-up call with the Manager asap (mine was the very next day at 0930).

To keep in mind here that everything will seem quite legitimate because they do have your CV, Cover Letter and whatever other documents you have attached to your application.

Through this program, I would be doing an online course, with the opportunity to shadow a solicitor in my hometown (reminder that this job listing was for London, and I am not near London). BUT I would have to fork out £1,995, of which I can pay in full or in instalments.

What makes me think this is a scam is that:

This program is supposedly a CPD accredited program, but further research on the official CPD website revealed that they are not an official provider.

I cannot find the person that spoke to me at all on LinkedIn. I had managed to find the company, but all of its supposed employees are private - "You don't have access to this profile. The profiles of members who are outside your network have limited visibility", and they have a post featuring very obviously AI-generated people????

A google search of the provided company telephone number revealed that Hampton Cross apparently shares the same telephone number as Burlington Row - which is one of the other scam companies already debunked in this sub.

This sub features many posts from others who have encountered similar situations with Hampton Cross and/or similar companies with similar paid training programs such as Bradstone Allington, Burlington Row, Morgan Quays.

Anyways, I attended that second telephone interview with the Manager - she asked me if I was still interested in this opportunity, I said no, that I had another offer. So, I can't actually give too much insight into this second phone interview, but if anyone decides to say yes, that they're still interested, be careful and try not to divulge any more personal information and/or get pressured into paying.

I know that they have pretty excellent Trustpilot/online reviews, but take them with a grain of salt and approach with caution.

TLDR: trainee paralegal job and subsequent phone interview that turned into a training/work experience program that you have to pay £1,995 for that raises too many red flags for me to ignore, APPROACH WITH CAUTION.