I must be really stupid. I'm in communication with both IAM Roadsmart and WVAM. In 2014 I wanted to update my advanced rider qualification and wanted to improve my riding. Contacting the IAM they gave me a few options. In the end i joined the WVAM in Wisley... great group, had a great time, my instructor was a PITA and was no where near as experienced as I was, but sobeit.... I knew there was a problem as soon as I returned to the group and was asked if I wanted to change my "partner"... I'm rusty and have been known to be difficult to get on with (hard to believe... I know)... But I was happy to stay with him.... Sadly I never got to ride out again. Don't let me down....I'm expecting some really smart arse comments from this bit. In any event the terrible 2015 happened, this took me off the road for a couple of years. Top shelf drugs, traumatic injury (personal and my bro) meant that somethings have got lost or misdirected. The WVAM contacted me each year and I paid whatever they asked, if nothing else, just to give me a goal to aim for. Now in 2018 I've been told IAM roadsmart has kicked me out and the inference being that monies paid at the beginning have been lost. I think I'm supposed to pay an amount each year to IAM and an amount to WVAM. IAM have never contacted me after the initial payment. Never in 3 years has IAM been in touch. I've asked in three seperate emails "how do they request money and chase subs payments", only to be told to ""call me". Why not answer my questions? All very sinister.... is how I feel about this. Can someone explain how these two agencies interact and am I alone in this miscommunication?
Fek em, what do they know anyway, inconsiderate wannabies There's some on here isn't there Feck em anyhoo...
I'd never heard of WVAM, but according to their website: "We meet on the first Sunday of every month (2nd Sunday in Jan 2017) at Ripley Village Hall in Surrey, come rain or shine (09.15 - 09.30).... At the end of the observed ride and debrief (typically between 1 and 2 pm) you can join in on one of our social rides or head home. If you want to catch up with them you could do worse than ride to Ripley? http://www.wvam.org.uk/us/join-us/
IAM Roadsmart is the "new" corporate image of the old institute of advanced riders/drivers. Your first subscription paid for both club and IAM memberships as should subsequent monies paid to the club. Last year IAM Roadsmart stopped using the clubs to collect fees and went to individuals and direct debit. You shold have been told this by the club. That said, the IAM's administration over the last 2 years has been poor and you could well have dropped off their new system. Andy
That's what I'm worried about and no one has told me. It would appear that has cost me dearly with the joining fee and test fee both lost. I don't really think that is very fair as it's far from clear.... I wish I'd gone the ROSPA route like I did for my first qualifications.
IAM Roadsmart are being very evasive in answering my questions about what data they hold on me and why I haven't been contacted. I think this is connected... they lost my data. I think it's wrong that I should loose the advanced test fee (paid in 2014). ... I wasn't aware that they were two different bodies with two different administrations. My original payment was to one body WVAM. If it split later and money needed to be paid in two different directions both bodies should have informed me by email or in writing. Something clearly went wrong, but I'm being asked to pay for it. I'm grumpy about this
Cut monies to both, then see who contacts you and let them do the chasing. I enjoyed aim the first time but since then it seems to be little more than a club with fee's, no problem with that but I didn't see the continual benefit
PITA = Pain in the Arse WVAM= Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists (WVAM) is a club affiliated to IAM RoadSmart (formerly called the Institute of Advanced Motorists). IAM= Institute of advanced motorists - AKA money grabbing disorganised bunch... Wisley a lovely area near the M25 famous for NIMBY and Dogging. https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/dogging-surrey-number-known-public-12429899 http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2017/01/06/letter-object-developments-areas-nimbys/
I've been with IAM for 3-years & this latest whatever it was news-letter. Please don't think I am xenophobic but it stated the british charity was helping Indians in Nepal. I'm done with helping organizations decide to focus efforts & resources on foreign countries. I will be telling them in no uncertain terms why I'm thoroughly annoyed. From them investing millions into buying their own headquarters which is fair enough. But to then claim they need to raise the yearly subscription as they've not saved enough money by investing into their own assets. Now to basically becoming some sort of international advancing riding charity. Fuck that'...further more they want people to focus on re-doing tests & go for Honors or BA in motorcycling..instead of just attaining a 'F1RST' higher pass level. I've told the police officers in person I think the f1rst is a load of bollocks. Because people ride differently & not naturally when they are been tested. And conversely when out for a ride with members (not just associates or non passed members) they again ride more lets say progressively. I've been warned last year that if you don't remain a IAM member the local social group kicks you out. Oh well less liars too have in my life.
