gym won't refund subscription-advice?

[Deleted User]

Hi
Looking for some advice on the best way to try to reclaim money owned to my mother.
She joined a gym last year (gymophobics) for the first time and paid a full years membership(£300) all in one go.
Originally she wanted to pay monthly to see if she liked it, but was persuaded by the gym manager that it was cheaper to pay for a whole year, which she did. (she had never been to a gym before.)
After going for 2 months, she developed health issues which meant she couldn't go any more. She got a note from the doctor explaining her health issues and wrote to the gym with it.
Their only response was to offer to transfer the membership to someone else.
She was told verbally that they would refund the subscription charges if an official doctors report indicated there was valid health reason for stopping
I calculate she is owed about £250

Does anyone have any advice on the best approach to this problem, I intend to go in myself to ask for a refund. But would appreciate any tips or approaches which might be most effective.
Ironically this gym promotes itself on being particularly welcoming to women and older people.
Someone has suggested filing a claim via the small claims court can often prompt payment, this is something i know little about.
Any advice appreciated : )

hollydays

she is bound by the terms of the contract

10past6

coolnamebob wrote: »

As i understand it they have a legal duty to refund a subscription charges if an official doctors report indicates valid health reasons.

Where did you obtain this information from?

uktim29

10past6 wrote: »

Where did you obtain this information from?

The make it up as you go along act!

[Deleted User]

10past6 wrote: »

Where did you obtain this information from?

She was told this by the gym manager when she signed up and asked , becasue she was hesitant in commiting to a full year in one go. Perhaps the manager just said it to convince her to sign up

[Deleted User]

Lol, just looked at tim29's other posts, your not a very helpful fellow are you....!
I might be mistaken in what i wrote, but that is why i was asking for advice from people.

If you have nothing useful to say, please refrain from replying

10past6

coolnamebob wrote: »

She was told this by the gym manager when she signed up and asked , becasue she was hesitant in commiting to a full year in one go. Perhaps the manager just said it to convince her to sign up

I guess it ones word against the other, have you read the T&Cs?

Plasticman

It all depends upon the contents of the contract. From experience, they normally make it 'non refundable' so I suspect you are screwed and won't be able to get the money back.

viktory

Hang on a moment here, peeps. My gym does offer a refund and will cancel membership if the member has an illness/injury that prevents the member using the facilities (as long as the member has a letter from their doctor or consultant, which I understand the OP's mother does. Actually, so does the municipal leisure centre.

OP, check the T&C's to see if there is anything written there - if there is nothing I would suggest a very polite visit asking for a partial refund - even if it less than you think your mother would like - something is better than nothing.

aharding85

I think she's been stitched up I'm afraid!!

[Deleted User]

Cheers for the advice,
I'm trying to locate an actual written contract, i'm not sure she was given one.
i have the the subscription form she signed but it has has no T and C s.

Cheers