Warning Bannatynes Gym -Unfair Contract Terms

geekinaseat

3 month notice period when cancelling bannatynes gym contract!

Hi All,

As I am streamlining my finances at the mo and my Bannatynes gym membership was up at the end of this month I thought it was about time I cancel, I really don't use it enough to warrant the £56 a month so I gave them a call...

"Yes sir, all you need to do is give us three months notice in wiriting and we will cancel your membership"

I asked what the reason for a 3 month cancellation period was and apparently she didn't know, just defensively mentioned that it was on the back of the contract that I'd signed.

I know I signed the thing and it's my own fault, but their 3 month term would seem to cost anyone £168 for wanting to leave the gym if they had unforseen circumstances etc

Now this stikes me as unfair, even mobile phone companies only ask for a 1 month notice period. On what basis can bannatynes demand 3 months (Other than extortion- obviously)? Does the OFT have any guidelines on maximum terms?

Has anyone else had problems with bannatynes?

Cheers

geekinaseat

timberflake

I thought that 3 months cancellation was pretty much standard @ any gym? I know thats the case @ David Lloyd. If its on the contract and you signed it surly you were aware of the cancellation period? Or do you always sign things people give to you without reading them? Personally, cancellation period is one of the questions I would ask before joining!

chuckley

geekinaseat wrote: »

3 month notice period when cancelling bannatynes gym contract!

Hi All,

As I am streamlining my finances at the mo and my Bannatynes gym membership was up at the end of this month I thought it was about time I cancel, I really don't use it enough to warrant the £56 a month so I gave them a call...

"Yes sir, all you need to do is give us three months notice in wiriting and we will cancel your membership"

I asked what the reason for a 3 month cancellation period was and apparently she didn't know, just defensively mentioned that it was on the back of the contract that I'd signed.

I know I signed the thing and it's my own fault, but their 3 month term would seem to cost anyone £168 for wanting to leave the gym if they had unforseen circumstances etc

Now this stikes me as unfair, even mobile phone companies only ask for a 1 month notice period. On what basis can bannatynes demand 3 months (Other than extortion- obviously)? Does the OFT have any guidelines on maximum terms?

Has anyone else had problems with bannatynes?

Cheers

geekinaseat

so what r u complainin for?

geekinaseat

@Atomised - Maybe you misread my post, I'm not halfway through the contract with bannatynes, I'm at the end. What I signed for was a years membership which at the end of the month will have passed. You will find with O2 that once at the end of your contact you can end it with a months notice.

@chuckley -

so what r u complainin for?

My complaint is that I can see no reason why Bannatynes can justify a 3 month notice period once my contract has ended for what is effectively a small admin task, other than the fact that they are there to rip you off. Also Bannatynes staff do not point out the cancellation terms when you sign up, my assumption (yes, always dangerous to assume) was that it would be similar than every other contract I have signed in my life, even on my tenancy in my flat it's 1 month!

I just want this to be a warning for anyone else who is thinking about leaving their gym -make sure you cancel three months before you actually want to leave or else they will charge you for something you didn't sign up for.

hollydays

So,is it stated anywhere that it is a years contact? I am sure they offer different lengths of contracts,including a no fixed period contract. Were you not made aware of this?

geekinaseat

I was just told that I pay X amount a month and it was a years minimum term... not exactly open about the terms but I do agree that what they are doing is legal, it is written in the T&C, buts thats not to say it is fair and I would encourage people to stay well away from Bannatynes

chuckley

geekinaseat wrote: »

@chuckley - My complaint is that I can see no reason why Bannatynes can justify a 3 month notice period once my contract has ended for what is effectively a small admin task, other than the fact that they are there to rip you off. Also Bannatynes staff do not point out the cancellation terms when you sign up, my assumption (yes, always dangerous to assume) was that it would be similar than every other contract I have signed in my life, even on my tenancy in my flat it's 1 month!

I just want this to be a warning for anyone else who is thinking about leaving their gym -make sure you cancel three months before you actually want to leave or else they will charge you for something you didn't sign up for.

when you signed the agreement you quite clearly thought the charge/notice was justified... this is the reason y i wont join a gym unless its an LA one where its a month by month contract. not this 12 month thing.

of course they dont tell you about the cancellation part... if they do they'll lie or bend the truth... this is why you read it before you sign. if its an on the spot 'just sign here' type thing, just walk away or try and take it away to read over, altho the latter is hard to get. they want a quick hard sell, there n then.

hollydays

Bannatynes contract has been investigated by the OFT,if someone with a legal mind wants to take a look at that ruling.

AndyXXX_2

I was a member of Bannatynes for about 3 years. No problems, no complaints. Our financial circumstances changed, so I found a much cheaper gym with no membership fees, a sort of pay-as-you-go type of place. I stopped off at Bannatynes on my way home to hand in my membership card and cancel my contract. The receptionist remiiinded me of their 3 month written notice clause in the contract. Yeah, right. I handed over my card and scribbled something in writing for their records. When I got home I cancelled my direct debit to the gym. Once they received their last payment, we were all square as far as I was concerned.
I received a couple of letters from the manager reminding me of their clause, penalties etc but I stood my ground and I believe I was morally right. I politely replied that I had no problems with their staff or facilities etc etc but my circumstances had changed and I would no longer be able to use the gym. I didn't hear any more from them.
If you look over the contract you may find that you can terminate early if you are injury or illness prevents you from training for at least two months so you could go down that route. But don't rollover and take it, contract or not. It's unfair.

geekinaseat

If you look over the contract you may find that you can terminate early if you are injury or illness prevents you from training for at least two months so you could go down that route.

I did think of that, but I feel uneasy with misleading anyone. I guess the main reason I don't want to just stop paying is my credit rating, does anyone know if a gym contract is a credit agreement specifically?

Honeydog

Thanks for posting this thread geekinaseat. I joined my Cannons gym in April for 12 months because I'm training for a marathon in January.

I don't yet know whther I will extend my 12 months membership beyond April 2009 but this thread has ensured that I'll be making enquiries at the desk around Christmas time.

I can see your point though it does seem unfair that the three month rule is still in effect at the end of a 12 month contract. I bet Cannons is the same though.