Welcome to Pprune
Sorry if the replies you are getting seem a bit negative, but I have to endorse the views above, esp. Pilot Dar and Whopity with regard to philosophy and cost of training..
Flying is a wonderful activity, but unfortunately, as the general public have little idea what to expect, they don't know if they are getting quality training until it's too late.
This means that, sadly, our industry attracts more than it's fair share of shysters.
The best advice is to follow a personal recomendation from someone you know, or ask here for people's views of the school you are thinking of spending a lot of money with.
A good indication of shysterism is an offer to give you a great discount if you pay for your training up front, hence the warnings above.
Don't let one rude person put you off the school you have had a good experience with though. He might not have even been a member of the staff, just someone who was passing as the phone rang.
I hope you have a great experience learning to fly and will come back and tell us how you are doing from time to time.
Oh, and, just in case it's been a few lines since someone said it, NEVER PAY UP FRONT!
MJ
