Help! I Can't Afford My Gym Membership!

iamtheparty

Okay, I'm a student currently working 2 days a week. I've tried to find another job over the summer to fill the weekdays but nothing has been forthcoming. So I'm trying to cut out the excess from my budget. I can't afford my gym membership so I rang the gym and they were really pleasant and told me to write to the company that deals with memberships and payments (Ashburn Financial Services). I did this and today I received a letter from them:

"Thank you for your recent letter. I fully sympathise with your position, however the document you signed, as you are no doubt aware, is of a legally binding nature and therefore payments must be kept up to date.

However, due to problems of a financial nature there is a provision to enable you to make slightly lower payments until such times you find the position has changed.

Please provide written confirmation of your financial situation in the form of a copy of your income support book, a letter from your financial advisor or a letter from the CAB dated within the last 3 months and we will consider the matter further."

I'm not on income support and I don't have a financial advisor. So I guess I need a letter from the CAB. How do I go about getting this? How do I prove to them that I can't afford it?

Also, I cancelled the standing order to the gym (stupid I know) because I literally don't have the money to pay them! So what is likely to happen when they don't get my payment? Will they know right away? I'm fairly certain this won't be sorted before the next payment is due out (06/08) I only have £28 left after my outgoings each month.

I don't know what my best course of action is and it's really stressing me out! Any advice wold be great, thanks.

Savannah02K

hello,

I had similar situation few years ago. I wrote to the financial company explaining that I was under great stress (I was, following a bereavement) and couldn't possibly cope with a protracted correspondence and possible debt litigations. I pleaded with them to come to some agreement and said if they needed a medical note from my GP to confirm that I was suffering from stress, I could get this. I had a letter back telling me they were dropping the action and I never heard from them again. I think the mere mention of the thought of 'mental problems' terrified them. It sounds as though you are stressed and prob could get a letter from your dr to that effect so why not try writing to the financial people along those lines. Worst case scenario you have to go to your gp and lay it on a bit thick, maybe pay a fee to him for the med note confirming you're suffering from stress.

dmg24

Savannah02K wrote: »

hello,

I had similar situation few years ago. I wrote to the financial company explaining that I was under great stress (I was, following a bereavement) and couldn't possibly cope with a protracted correspondence and possible debt litigations. I pleaded with them to come to some agreement and said if they needed a medical note from my GP to confirm that I was suffering from stress, I could get this. I had a letter back telling me they were dropping the action and I never heard from them again. I think the mere mention of the thought of 'mental problems' terrified them. It sounds as though you are stressed and prob could get a letter from your dr to that effect so why not try writing to the financial people along those lines. Worst case scenario you have to go to your gp and lay it on a bit thick, maybe pay a fee to him for the med note confirming you're suffering from stress.

As someone that has genuine mental health problems, I find your post very offensive. I hope that you are thoroughly ashamed of yourself for suggesting that the OP lies to his GP.

iamtheparty

Yeah, close family members of mine suffer with mental health problems and I'd be pretty uncomfortable playing that sort of thing up. I understand that you were under emotional strain at the time and fair enough, you got it sorted. But I think I must have some other options?

In September I'll get my student loan and I'll be able to pay my membership. I asked them if they could freeze my account until then but they didn't address this in the letter they sent me, even though the gym said that they have been known to do so. For some stupid reason Ashburn don't have a phone number where you can speak to someone. Just a 'Member Voicemail' which is a message where they claim they are legally unable to discuss accounts over the phone. Which sounds unlikely. I can ring my bank and discuss my account, why not them?

Clive_Woody

Could ask your bank to arrange/extend your over-draft over the summer to cover these payments, with the intention of returning it to it's current level when you get your loan through?

If you default on these payments it will show on your credit file and may prevent you getting mortgages or loans in the future.

iamtheparty

Unfortunately my bank can't give me a higher overdraft. I'm at the maximum student overdraft limit.

I spoke to CAB today and they've given me a template letter and a 'Financial Statement' with my incomings and outgoings to send to the finance company.

chuckley

try job agencies, ull be employed within a week.

olly300

chuckley wrote: »

try job agencies, ull be employed within a week.

:rolleyes: Not true.

chuckley

olly300 wrote: »

:rolleyes: Not true.

u sure?? temp agencies are crying out for people, especially catering ones. u can start within a week as general catering assistant. yes minimum wage, but brings in wages regardless.

failing that theres always mcD's which is straight away start aswell.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

how long have you been with your gym? Normally theres a set period (either 6 month or 12 month) where after that time you can then give a months notice to cancel.

I had my gym membership placed on hold for around 5 months whilst i recovered from an operation so it can be done but it depends on the situation i guess.

I also asked my friend fo advice ont his - she did a similar thing to you where she just cancelled membership with bank - she eventually went back to the gym and only had to pay for a months notice (£30) and they re-opened her account and never chased her for any missed payments but i guess that was pure luck!

Recruitment agencies always crying out for people - doesnt mean they have work though.

chuckley

they have tons over summer, but its quiet from november - january.