Cancelling my gym membership - HELP URGENTLY

stormcloudgathering

jenniewb wrote: »

Dave: a few questions,

Do you have any medical reason (one which a hospital or medical expert can test for) that means you cannot use the gym?

I broke my foot very badly a few years ago and was unable to use the gym. I had a letter from the consultant to that effect but unfortunately it made not a jot of difference when I came to try to cancel. Even though I was in an air cast with dozens of sutures, metalwork and the like, the gym was not interested. I had no option but to pay the rest of the membership. Thankfully I had only about 3 months to go but it grated nonetheless!
I doubt I'll ever join a gym again after that experience. I think it's their business model, isn't it? If everyone who actually signed up for the gym used it regularly there'd be standing room only!

welshdent

I have seen a guy in my gym walking round in a full leg frame after a car accident and another guy with spina bifida doing leg presses. Their arguement is probably that you could still do something I should imagine

stormcloudgathering

I think it depends at what stage of recovery one is, and what the specific issue is. My surgeon insisted I do no exercise of any sort, whether at home or at the gym. Given that the fracture wasn't healing (and in fact at one point amputation was mentioned) I wasn't about to contradict!

jenniewb

Maybe its not the type of injury, more the tyupe of contract you are on, eg which gym you chose to join. Not looked at my contract from that angle tbh but on reading now, I can see their get-out-clauses are:

• If they significantly reduce the opening hours on a perminant basis
• If they increase the membership fee
• If they reduce the benefits of the membership, (eg no more free towels)
• If I am unable to use the gym through serious injury or illness which means I cannot get to the gym for at least two calender months but for this they require professional medical evidence, eg doctors certificate or hospital letters, BUT (and this bit makes me laugh:) "we must recieve your evidence at least 2 months before the injury or illness starting and your membership will end from the date shown on the medical evidence you provide or the date of your last visit" You what?! I have to preplan my injury? isn't that self harm?? is that wise?:eek::rotfl:
• You lose your job, for this they need proof of you losing your job.
• (It later goes on to say they refund the difference after this 2 months has passed.)

However, they can end your membership too, and stated in my membership contract, unless they have a waiting list for the club they can and will take all the fees due to them for the rest of the contract.

SandC

My experience has been that gyms are of course reluctant for you to cancel your membership but they are willing to help - for instance if you are injured or cannot attend for valid reasons for any length of time (working abroad say) then most will allow a period where you pay a nominal rate until you get back to attending again. Their rules do have leeway but they are unlikely to be sympathetic to anyone simply changing their mind and especially not to someone just cancelling their direct debit.

The gym I am at now only has a tie in for 6 months, compared to the others I have been a member of which are 12 months. You do need to give 30 days notice in writing of cancellation even if you are past your initial period though.

JimmyTheWig

I agree with what's been said.
Canceling the direct debit simply means you stop paying. It doesn't cancel your membership.

The worst thing you could do is ignore it.

Talk to them and explain that you didn't realise the implications of cancelling the direct debit. Before you do that, see if you can find the contract that you signed (always good to keep these things in a safe place for if you need them). Post the wording here or take it to CAB if you want further advice on what any of it means.

hethmar

Have a google - there have been a number of cases about this in the newspapers.

David1645

Hi,
I recently signed up to LA-Fitness and wanted to cancel.
However on checking the contract I find out that I have signed a credit agreement NOT a direct debit. The agreement specifically states that
"You have no right to cancel this agreement under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Timeshare Act 1992 or the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004"
This made me pretty angry as at no time was this stated by the salesman, all the paperwork filled in by the salesman on a palmtop and at no time was I asked to read it. The only time I got the palmtop facing me was to sign on the screen.
The first time I had any paperwork was when it was emailed to me with my signature digitally printed into the contract.

So lesson learnt the hardway! I am locked in for 12 months wether I use it or not. And I think by cancelling the direct debit you breach a legally binding contract.

I must try to remember that NO ONE SELLING SOMETHING IS YOUR FRIEND! THEY WANT YOUR CASH IN THEIR POCKET - END OF STORY!!
Unfortunately I am the sort of person who will believe anything!

piratefairy

It really astounds me, the number of people who dont' read things before signing them. And the amount of people who expect Joe Public to sign something without giving them the opportunity to read all the small print. Sadly folks seem to learn the hard way.

David1645

It did seem like a natural progression from the 3 day free pass and the wife and kids liked the place at the time...
Believe me there is no one kicking themselves harder than I am about this! :mad: - two adult memberships at £327.14 each plus joining fee for 12 months. Needless to say I have set a reminder in my calendar to cancel them moment I hit month 12.
This does happen occassionally when I let my guard down, I think my brain is hardwired to try and like and trust people and so sadly I have difficulty spotting the predators. But on the upside, these qualities help me to be quite good at patient care.:D