I really feel the need to vent and so here I am.
I would just like to advise anyone who's a member of any gym (mine shall remain nameless to avoid libel issues) to inspect your contract with a magnifying glass, because there are bound to be some blink-and-you'd-miss-them clauses about how to cancel your membership.
Sob story: I signed a contract that I understood meant I would have to stay a member for a year, which is fine. What wasn't explained to me, and what they don't make clear is that you can't cancel WITHIN the year, only "after". So in my case, the last obligatory payment was taken on Aug 31st and would cover membership until the end of September. I tried to start the cancellation process then, but have just found out that I can't actually cancel until after the end of September, and you have to give 30 days notice. Which effectively means they get another two months of payments out of you - SUCH a scam! And even then it's like pulling teeth trying to get a straight answer out of the membership offices.
I'm now debating whether to pay them off to end the hassles, or pursue it further as a breach of express fair terms according to the Consumer Credit Act.
And of course, they don't notify you at all to say your year is up, and they'll carry on taking payments unless they hear from you - relying on people being too busy to notice so they can keep raking in the money.
I've seen all sorts of dodgy contracts through some training I'm doing at the moment, and it really makes me angry that I got taken for a ride myself. Please don't ever go to debt consolidators, or no win - no fee firms...and think twice before joining a gym!
End of sob story.
At least Tag & I will be having a fantastic time DJing at a friend's wedding tonight to take my mind off things. Bring on the beer!
― Elisabeth K, Saturday, 19 October 2002 13:20 (twenty-three years ago)
Given that walking all the way from home to the tube station makes me feel like I need a good lie down, I think this is one trap I may be able to avoid.
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 19 October 2002 18:18 (twenty-three years ago)
Do you say gymnasiums or gymnasia? I've always followed the advice of a girl I used to know who said that if I were ever to step foot in a gymnasium she'd never speak to me again. Having said that, the things are spreading like the plague, for it used to be a peculiarly metropolitain vice. What I'd like to know though is, are they any good for flirting, or is everyone too sweaty and self obsessed to be bothered?
― Gordon (Gordon), Saturday, 19 October 2002 19:06 (twenty-three years ago)
If all they have is your bank account#, you could always just put a stop payment on their debits/EFTs. Then they'd have to take legal action to get the money, which if you only owe a couple of months pmt is pretty unlikley.
― Kim (Kim), Sunday, 20 October 2002 00:06 (twenty-three years ago)
unlikely... it's also unlickly. But that doesn't really need saying.
― Kim (Kim), Sunday, 20 October 2002 00:18 (twenty-three years ago)
Hey Kim
Yeah, I stopped the direct debit a few days after the last "official" payment was taken, which is why they're sending me threatening notices now. It's quite laughable really as one payment they're demanding wouldn't normally be taken until 31st Oct., so they're threatening to send it to a debt collector when I wouldn't even owe it yet!
I've done a load of research since yesterday and also reported them to Fair Trading and my local trading standards office. Apparently the OFT have published a report on unfair gym memberships so I hope it'll add to the research. I might also contact that weekly Guardian consumer watch column, as they seem to get a lot of good results and it would be bad publicity for them.
Anyhow I shall be calling them tomorrow, armed with my consumer ammunition... and you're right, I doubt they would want to take it to court.
― elisabeth k, Sunday, 20 October 2002 08:29 (twenty-three years ago)