Free gym membership by accident

hugh_cumber_2

I’ve been a member of well-known nationwide chain of health clubs for about five years. Every month they should take about £160.00 out of my bank account by direct debit for a family gym membership.

For several months now, they’ve stopped taking the money out of my account. I’ve not cancelled my subscription or direct debit and have full gym membership with privileges.

Moral dilemma time...I appear to be getting something for nothing. How long is this likely to last?

What should I do now? Is this the fault of my gym or my bank? I’ve not spent the money elsewhere but can either one ask for the loss retrospectively if they realise their mistake. I’m certainly in no hurry to flag it up to anyone. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Working out and having a sauna afterwards is now a guilty pleasure. Please advise.

teambathmat

They will probably realise their error eventually and then you will have to pay for the missing payments and will ask you for them.

As you have been using the facility I guess you will be obliged to pay it.

chika

I'm with teambathmat (great name btw!) The gym will realise they've messed up - one day you will be strutting along try and swipe your card and bang into the turnstiles - the shame!

A similar thing happened to me with Virgin. It was only two months worth but they did ask for it and blocked my membership until I paid the outstanding balance with my card. I wanted to tell them to take a running jump but I had prepaid ten sessions with my personal trainer and didn't want to lose the cash.

Gyms can be quite nasty and get debt collectors involved so I'd raise the issue sooner rather than later.

hugh_cumber_2

Thank you both for your posts. However you're both assuming that the gym isn't getting its money.

What if the gym's getting its subs from my bank but my bank isn't debiting my account?

teambathmat

So you think your bank is paying for your gym membership but not taking it from your account, very much doubt it.

Have you checked with the bank?

flower24

Either way I would feel bad and say something immediately.

But then I have a conscience....

hugh_cumber_2

I do have a conscience and that's why I'm posting my dilemma here

I want to know where I stand legally not morally

lolly5648

I would put the money into a separate savings account and then if they ever ask for it you have it available - you never know you might get away with it. Morals do not come into this with gyms - they up the prices every year and cut the classes.

hugh_cumber_2

Lolly - thanks for your post. I've got a devil and an angel on each shoulder. You're the devil talking.

Teambathmat - I'm not checking with the bank because they may be at fault, as I've already stated. You say "probably realise their error" and "I guess you will be obliged to pay". Not really very persuasive statements of fact or authority to push me into coming clean just yet.

Angelhales2601

Toughie that as yeah its gonna leave you wondering, and yes could be an error anywhere along the system! I think Lollys is the best suggestion though, that way should it come back to haunt you your not gonna send yourself broke trying to find the cash!

hugh_cumber_2

Thanks Angelhales for your post

It'd still be nice to know where I stand. Can they take the money or not? What's the clear cut answer? I'm not comfortable with the error and I would like some kind of clarification as to where I stand as a consumer. If they can take it or demand it then fine the money is their's. If they've cocked up and the money's mine then it's mine...