Well I cancelled the gym...or so I thought

lynsayjane

!!!!!!??? collection agancies??? which gym are you with cause this all sounds like b*llocks to me.

as most of you know i work in a gym. it's a 6 month term we sign you up to, but if say you cancelled your dd and didn't try to use the gym again there is little or nothing we can do. i've never heard any talk about collection agencies or any of that kind of nonsense. in fact i was told when i started that after my probationary period my membership would be cancelled but i'd still pay for three months. my boss just told me to cancel my dd, according to him they won't even give me into trouble for it...but i didn't tell you that

Toomuchdebt

It's fitness first-they say I have to pay the rest of my contract even though I haven't used the gym since I cancelled my direct debit

pounds_and_pensive

Perhaps if you visit your doctor explaining how much stress your financial situation has been causing, he'd be happy to write the note for you on these grounds (I don't think mine would have a problem with it, anyway) and may even be able to advise you of a low cost alternative to the gym in your area.

I can't see even the most unreasonable doctor insisting that a patient pay these leeches for a service they won't be receiving, particularly if the patient actually suffers further as a result.

lynsayjane

Toomuchdebt wrote:

It's fitness first-they say I have to pay the rest of my contract even though I haven't used the gym since I cancelled my direct debit

if you have the strength for it go in and ask to see where in your membership pack that you filled out does it say you have to and where it says dca's will get involved if you don't. i think it would be better to turn up on their doorstep kicking off, they are more likely to panick and let you go.

i also think a wee trip to your docs would be a good idea too. worst he'll do is say no.

Optimist

I'm sorry to say that you signed a legally binding contract with the gym, you cant disregard that contract just because you no longer go. I would not be surprised if the contract you signed was actually a credit agreement. They are quite entitled to get a debt recovery agency in to recover the debt. However given your level of debt as per the bottom of your post may I suggest a vist to citizens advice would be in order

frugglewump

Unfortunately with fitness first all the small print is right there in the (yellow?) form you get at the beginning. I'm surprised at the 12months things though - ours was 3 months.

Toomuchdebt

I am going to see the doctor tomorrow and will explain all this to him and see if he will be prepared to write me a letter.If not I will just have to find the £25a month from somewhere and use it until the contract ends I did ask about transferring it so someone else but that incurs a £40.95 charge-rip off or what?

optimist-I have seen the CAB and they have advised bankruptcy but that has it's own implications not least the fact that i may lose my house as they will let the landlord know and also I am applying for a job at Abbey bank(got through the first interview,second one is on Monday) and if I went bankrupt there is no way I would get it as they do a credit check.So I am attempting my own DMP as this gives me greater flexibility than one with CCCS or Payplan-unfortunately not all cards are willing to agree to my proposals at the moment-they will reassess it in 3 months they say so if I can just get through the next 3 months I might be OK.

Dolly_Smith

Gyms and airlines - totally inflexible! The only place I've been a member of was a gym attached to a university (on Goswell Road in EC1) and they just charge you when you use it. Which is what they should do anyway!

climbgirl

Dolly_Smith wrote:

Gyms and airlines - totally inflexible! The only place I've been a member of was a gym attached to a university (on Goswell Road in EC1) and they just charge you when you use it. Which is what they should do anyway!

Why should they? They're a business, they're trying to make money. And if you've signed a 12-month contract, then you're legally obliged to pay the money. Simple as that.

I'm with Fitness First as well, they offer a range of different monthly fees - the cheaper you go, the longer you're locked in for. That's the deal. I chose to pay a little bit more per month to only have a 3 month contract, in case I didn't use it. They're quite clear about the monthly fees and contract lengths when you sign up.

To the OP, by signing their membership form you've signed the contract. You should have a copy of this yourself, otherwise ask them to see it. If you can't get a doctor's note to say you can't exercise (FF were very good about this when my friend went down this road), then your only real option is to freeze your membership for the 6 months. It's a contract you signed, you are legally obliged to pay this.

Toomuchdebt

There's no point freezing my contract for 6 months otherwise I have to pay £7.50 a month for each month that it's frozen and then STILL have to pay the months owing on the contract afterwards.
In my case they weren't clear about contract lengths,nor was I aware that if I paid more I would be on a shorter contract.My fault too for not reading the small print I know.