Stupidity

I tried renewing my “membership” at the Bukit Batok Driving Centre this afternoon and got a rude shock! It’s has been a long time since I last went for driving lessons… September 2005, to be exact. When I asked how much I have to pay to renew the membership, the staff wrote this on the back of my receipt:

“Overdue = $10.50
6 mth = $5.25
6 mth = $5.25
6 mth = $5.25
6 mth = $5.25″

It seemed that I have to pay $5.25 for EVERY 6-month block since 2005 in order to have current membership. That means in order for me to continue driving lessons with them, I have to pay a total of $31.50!!

The stupidest thing was, I can’t just terminate my membership and then re-enrol again as a new student.

When queried, the staff said as a matter-of-factly, “Oh, you can try signing up at other driving centres. That will only cost $10.50.”

I just thought this whole affair is absurd. What if I had signed up with them and then gone overseas to study for a few years before I could finish the driving course? Wouldn’t I have to pay hundreds of dollars just to continue driving lessons when I come back from my studies?