To date I've clocked up 69 hours and spent £7797.09 (give or take a few thousand) on my PPL journey.
I started learning with Avon Flying School @ Wellesbourne back in Aug '02 flying Robin HR200s. After they went bust (and took £1000 of my money - thanks Mr Royce) I became a bit disillusioned and gave up for a year.
You then realise money spent so far is down the drain if you don't carry on so I transferred to a reputable flying group in Coventry learning on a PA28.
I've still got the skills test and radio practical to complete so I expect to part with around £8200-£8500 for the privilege of that license certificate.
If you don't know anyone in this sport when starting out you're totally naive about how things work. You soon learn after being ripped off though. So don't pay full course fees up front and pay as you go by credit card.
Oh well - that's aviation.