David Lloyd gym cancellation error

Phil1

I'll do my best not to make this too wordy:

• I've been a member at my local David Lloyd Gym for around 2 years
• I enquired by telephone about cancelling my membership since I wasn't using it enough to justify its cost. I was told that I had to cancel by sending a written letter, and that that there was a cancellation period of 3 months. Annoying but okay.
• Perhaps a week after this I sent a written cancellation letter. I haven't used the gym since.
• At least 5 months later I realised that they were still taking money from my account. So I cancelled the direct debit immediately.
• I now have a debt collection agency trying to squeeze lots of money out of me.

Unfortunately I didn't make a record of the date at which I sent the letter but am confident that it was at least 5-6 months before I cancelled the DD.

Has this happened to anyone else? I haven't found any similar stories when searching. I suppose it is possible that the letter didn't reach the appropriate people or didn't get processed.

The gym use an electronic entry system so they should be able to see on their records that I haven't once used their facilities since sending my cancellation letter.

Thanks for reading. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Phil

Takoda

TBH with the number of people who join gyms and then don't go for months on end your account with its gaps probably won't stand out as anything strange.

From what I remember of previous posts/threads in cases of customer versus gym - unfortunately the gym always wins.

They always chase you for the money using debt collection agencies.

When I'd done my marathon and didn't need my Cannons (now Nuffield) membership anymore I actually went in and filled in a form with a member of their management watching me. The cancellation went through fine.

I know it is tough luck under the circumstances but if you could not notice a gym fee going out for 5 months you can probably afford to pay the debt collector - even if it is annoying.

Claire_Bear

Did you not send the letter recorded delivery or get a receipt for it? When sending important letters like this you should always track them in some way so in case of something like this happening you can always prove that you sent it. Did you ask the gym if they received the letter before cancelling the direct debit? Maybe the got the letter but made a mistake in cancelling your membership. Unless you can prove you sent the letter, I don't really think there's anything you can do about it

Phil1

Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately it seems I've been a little naive and as a result might struggle with this one. Some important lessons learned though!

I didn't notice as I didn't have online banking at the time and was very bad at keeping track of what money was coming out of my account. I do now have online banking and find it a fantastic help - this is what made me realise that DL were still taking money from me!

I think I'll take your advice Takoda and arrange to see a member of their management tomorrow to cancel my membership in person. At least this way I can be sure that I won't incur any further charges and it might also be a good opportunity to explain my situation face to face. At least I won't be talking with an agressive, bullying debt collector!

I'll do my best to keep this thread up to date.

Thanks again,
Phil

Takoda

When I need a gym again - probably the winter time - I'm going with the local authority one as the contracts are cheaper and more favourable. I only use the treadmill, stationary bike and rower anyway for a bit for cross training.

Cheers for the update. You're right about it being difficult to keep track when you don't have online banking. I don't know what I would do without it now. Would force me to keep a spreadsheet I suppose.

kennyboy66_2

Phil1 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately it seems I've been a little naive and as a result might struggle with this one. Some important lessons learned though!

I didn't notice as I didn't have online banking at the time and was very bad at keeping track of what money was coming out of my account. I do now have online banking and find it a fantastic help - this is what made me realise that DL were still taking money from me!

I think I'll take your advice Takoda and arrange to see a member of their management tomorrow to cancel my membership in person. At least this way I can be sure that I won't incur any further charges and it might also be a good opportunity to explain my situation face to face. At least I won't be talking with an agressive, bullying debt collector!

I'll do my best to keep this thread up to date.

Thanks again,
Phil

Phil,

Ignore "the Gym always wins" nonsense.

Write to them explaining that you gave notice to quit on whatever date it was (do you have a record on your computer if it was done in word).

Iy you get no joy from the local gym write to;

David Lloyd Leisure
PO Box 439
Hatfield
AL10 1EF

If you get no joy, then address you letter direct to the Finance Director (Ian Harris).

If you want to get really arsey write to him and the chief executive at their home address (find from Companies House).

They will give up before you normally.