Virgin Active - Cancellation

djdevz

Hi,

I think im in a little situation here, and wanted to know other people's opinion on the matter.

I've just moved to London and living with my brother about a month ago, due to finding an industrial placement.

I thought I would join Virgin Active as it is only a 5 minute walk from work. That was on Monday 26th.

Come Thursday, I find out that there's a more convenient gym which a lot of my colleagues go to, and also has sports facilities (badminton, squash etc.) and it cheaper.

However after reading Virgin's contract, it states that only for medical reasons, location change or job loss can a member end their contract.

It's not even been a week, surely I can just cancel the contract right? Or is there a valid reason I can use?

The lady who deals with cancellations was (conveniently) away when I tried to speak to them on Friday 30th, and will be back on Monday (apparently).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Devan.

bargainbetty

Check to see if there is a cancellation clause in your copy of the contract. Most have a 'cooling off' period of some type. However, if you are outside it, or it doesn't have one, then you are stuck with it.

If you do have a cooling off period, put it in writing and hand deliver it immediately, to make sure you are in time.

Good luck

djdevz

Thanks for the advice...just to update you on the situation...

My actual membership was meant to start on the 1st august even though I signed the contract on the 26th July (the sales rep let me in until then).

So the sales manager offered me to switch to the 1 month contract, and then quit after that. There's nothing about a cooling off period in the contract but they do implement one if you haven't used the gym.

I could either take the deal there and then or speak to the cancellation lady on Monday. I decided not to risk it and just switched to the 1 month contract. I didn't have to pay any more money.

Hopefully I can quit that with ease.

chuckley

check with them on 16th that its been cancelled as thats when their 'month' ends and their new one starts on 17'th so all notices have to be in by 16th so you arent charged on the following 1st. Get confirmation of the change then cancellation.

djdevz

Yeh thanks for the advice..i cancelled it the other day and received a receipt of confirmation. I also cancelled my DD with them, so hopefully no issues with them!

Their policy is apparantly - there is a cooling off period if you haven't used the gym..lol thats a quick decision to cancel.

djdevz

just a word of advice to anyone cancelling gym contract...
any specific terms you agree to with the gym, make sure it's all in writing. I agreed with Virgin to waive the extra cost of switching contracts but it didn't state that in the letter I received. It just said "agree to switch to the flexible monthly contract".
I might be lucky to get away with it, even though they are demanding it (in any case its £15 but its the principle).

Hopefully, someone will read this and not make the same mistake...