Warning Bannatynes Gym -Unfair Contract Terms

yvonne13_2

Oh right, I didn't realise, tee hee

Sharkey3439

I'm currently looking at cancelling my Bannatyne membership, like many others i never looked at the small print bt was told that it's a 30 day cancellation period, i remember this because as a member of the Armed Forces I specifically asked about suspension and cancellation periods.

I have now been sent to litirally the opposite end of the country from where i was, i now would have to travel from Plymouth to Bristol to allow me to use a Bannatyne Facility. Has anyone managed to get out of the 3 months notice due to a non-medical reason when attending a Bannatyne Gym is pretty much impossible?

(On a side note........ I really don't appreciate the "newbie" image on the left!!!!)

threemuttleys

Sharkey3439 wrote: »

I'm currently looking at cancelling my Bannatyne membership, like many others i never looked at the small print bt was told that it's a 30 day cancellation period, i remember this because as a member of the Armed Forces I specifically asked about suspension and cancellation periods.

I have now been sent to litirally the opposite end of the country from where i was, i now would have to travel from Plymouth to Bristol to allow me to use a Bannatyne Facility. Has anyone managed to get out of the 3 months notice due to a non-medical reason when attending a Bannatyne Gym is pretty much impossible?

(On a side note........ I really don't appreciate the "newbie" image on the left!!!!)

Send a bunch of Royal Marines around...soon sort them

23n1th

I'm moving close to a bannatynes gym. I'm currently with PureGym who are very very good if you have one nearby, currently paying £9.99 per month (as I signed up when they opened up) no cancellation fees, no contract length, open 24hrs a day (which is good as I work shifts), manage your account/classes online and all the latest equipment. Really is one of the best gyms I've been in. Also allows you to freeze you account in cases where you might not be able to go for a month. I'd never pay over £20 for a gym, so it looks like I'll not be joining bannatynes.

stevemcol

I've just cancelled at Bannatynes to move to DW. I didn't get out of the 3 month cancellation, but I did save half of the last month's payment. I gave notice on the 15th August, which required payments for Sep, Oct & Nov. I cancelled the direct debit prior to the Novemeber payment and sent them a cheque for 15 days pro rata. They accepted it, no problem.
I was a couple's membership so saved £40.

I think the 3 month cancellation is sharp practice but it is clear in the contract.

Jinx

Our company use Bannatynes and our staff get a reduced rate. Any cancellations are with a months notice. I wonder if its different due to it being a corporate contract?

Re not paying the outstanding amounts and debt collectors - yes any company who you owe money to can default you which will damage your credit rating. If you can afford to, its probably best to pay any outstanding amount on your credit card (if over 100 quid) and carry on the dispute. The credit card company may then be able to help under the joint liability rules.

jendav

I'm so annoyed. I joined Bannatynes at the beginning of the year, quite happy to sign up to the 12 month contract with 3 months notice required at the end to cancel. What was a manageable amount each month became a real problem a few months later as the recession and redundancy forced us to have to make the tough decision to move overseas in order to be able to have a job (and therefore afford to live). Wrote to manager of the club explaining the circumstances and asking for some leniency on this occasion, saying really very happy with the club (which I was) and that I would not leave it except that it was going to be physically impossible to attend from thousands of miles away. I've heard nothing for months, except to now get a redirected letter saying I've got to pay a lump sum. I've emailed them straight away and explained the situation; their response is just "tough!" and pay up within 14 days. (It's the start of the Christmas weekend, mind you - I really like their style.) My point to them is that I have had to move abroad for unforeseen circumstances, I may return to the UK and as I had enjoyed the club I certainly would continue my membership at that point, and asking for a one-off break of contract. Also pointed out that by lynching me for the balance, they turn a happy customer into a very grumpy customer who will not go back and will give them bad press to absolutely everyone I know, therefore costing them a lot more in lost revenue than the £200-odd that they're now demanding I pay within 14 days.

I knew the terms when I signed up, but think these are unusual circumstances and as I am physically unable to attend, some kind of consideration should be given, surely? It seems very bad practice to not have someone in authority who is able to adjudicate on behalf of the company and think practicably about what is good business and what is bad business...and not just quote from the hymn book! I noticed that someone suggests contact DB on Twitter...I might need to give that a try.

vickyanne_2

Bannatynes have a heart of stone and the tightest pockets when something needs doing in the gym. My son moved abroad to work, knew he had to pay 3 mths notice period but they tried to make it almost 4 by telling him the 3 mths had to run from the payment date which was 1st of the month and as he tried to cancel just after the payt had gone they said his notice started from the start of the next month for 3 full mths:mad:
He went back with his contract which says no such thing and told them he was paying 3 mths from that day not a penny more. They seem to have accepted it.
No goodwill or decent customer service in that organisation:mad:

Meechka85

Bannatynes are absolutely ridiculous!
I have had so much trouble with them. I joined in Oct 2009 and my partner joined in Feb 2010. They placed us into a joint membership and didn't tell us which meant when i tried to give my 3 months notice they wouldn't accept it. This is because i had to wait until the joint membership was up.
I then tried to set up another direct debit and they did that wrong which put me in debt by £258 as it was never taken out of the account! I rang up and they said they would get back to me. Never did!
I then got a phone call 2 months later saying it was being taken to head office because we had not paid our bill. I left it thinking like any other gym they would give up. We received a county court letter wanting the £258 payment. I rang again and the lady on the phone said she would get in touch with our gym. Received a letter today saying we can either pay one months membership fee as good will on their part and end the matter or pay the £258 in monthly installments. No brainer on what we have done.
I guess complaining does get you places!

mawhitmore

Hi,

My Dad is currently having problems cancelling my Mum's membership. She was diagnosed with cancer in October and didn't really have the energy to train so my Dad tried to cancel the membership in December. She passed away last week and Banatynes are still insisting that the 3 month policy be adhered to.

I've told my Dad just to threaten to cancel his membership as well but the problem is he wants to continue going and it's only 5 minutes away from his house.

Can anyone offer any advice as this is the last thing he should have to be dealing with at the moment.

Regards,

Mark