Fitness First

livingunwell

Hi, I could do with some help on where I stand with this situation, plus I need to vent! :mad:

I was a member of a fitness first club for a year but didn't really like it so once my 12 months was up I decided to cancel my membership. My monthly fee for December was taken off at the beginning of that month and the day that it was taken from my bank I phoned up my club asking to cancel my membership. I was told that that should be ok, as (from that day) I had effectively paid for my membership till the beginning of January which took me up to my 12 months. The girl I spoke to said that I needed written notice of cancellation a month in advance and said that if I provided it that day then the payment I had made would be my last one.
I quickly wrote out a letter and handed it into the club that day and it turned out I gave it to the girl who I had spoken to on the phone earlier. I asked her again if that was the end of the matter and she said yes.

However, today I got a statement from my bank (I don't use my switch card very often) and a payment for membership came off in early January. I phoned up the club and they said that the information I had been told was wrong and the procedure was to take money off the next month. I'm not too happy about this as I was told that this wasn't the case and I have ended up paying for another month which I didn't get to take advantage of.

I phoned head office who said it was a matter to take up with the branch so I'll be phoning them back tomorrow. Any advice on where I stand and what can be done about this?

webmasterpolo

Use your bank to recall the charge, write and inform the gym, done.

-Web

go4it

they should rename Fitness First 'Money First'.

these gyms will try their hardest to get your cash. I've heard of people who have stopped their direct debits half way through contracts, the gym has threatened them with legal action but at the end of the day it is too much hassle for them and they give up.

Go to your branch. Tell them that you want the amount back. Also tell them that you hated the club and that you want your joining fee back as well. Also ask them why they need to charge a £30 admin fee for new members. Tell them that you think that are money grabbing cowboys who know nothing about fitness.

oops_a_daisy

I was also told that the reason they take a copy of your credit/debit card details on the application form is because so many people cancel their direct debits so they use your card instead - they get you either way !

I would think that you can claim back the un authorised payment via your bank under the direct debit guarantee

livingunwell

I'm just scared that they say I've no way to prove anything. It's really just my word against theirs. I'm furious though that they've been so unhelpful and told me there's nothing that can be done. I won't let this one go though! :mad:

SUPERJULES

I am a FF member and they over charged me one month by £12 so I wasn't very happy, but they were very helpful and refunded the amount the following month. I currently pay £18.95 to use the club any time.

If I were you I would go in to see the manager, explain and demand a refund.

Good luck!

oops_a_daisy

how come you only pay to use the club £18.95 ???

I pay £29.95 per month to use anytime

SUPERJULES

oops_a_daisy wrote:

how come you only pay to use the club £18.95 ???

I pay £29.95 per month to use anytime

About 2 years ago they had a promotion where if you paid £100 then you would get £10 off a month for life. I also have home membership so I can only use the 1 club. I live in Sheffield and maybe different areas charge differently??

livingunwell

Oh yeah, I'd just like to add:

When I joined in January last year I was told there was a 3 month minimum contract and somewhere along the line this changed to 12 months and I wasn't informed! :mad: :mad:

oops_a_daisy

SUPERJULES wrote:

About 2 years ago they had a promotion where if you paid £100 then you would get £10 off a month for life. I also have home membership so I can only use the 1 club. I live in Sheffield and maybe different areas charge differently??

I might ask about that next time Im in there - I only go to one club aswell in the North East - time to have a friendly chat with the manager I think and plead poverty

[Deleted User]

Hmmm I pay £32.99 a month. I am in London though, where everything is more expensive!