end gym membership early? black list?

Doglover88

I signed up for a 12 month gym membership 4 months ago at £42 pcm. Situation has suddenly changed and i wil lbe moving away and no longer able to use it. I know i signed up but is there anything the gym can do to me or my credit score/rating if i just cancel my direct debits? The gym lady said she could simply black list me but i thought 'black list' was just a nasty myth?
Any help greatly appreciated

glen

PS I know i should of thought about it before signing up for 12 months!

Altarf

They could sue you for non-payment and once they have received a judgement in their favour (which they probably would) send the bailiff after you to recover the debt, plus the court costs, plus the bailiff fees.

rrwfotr

I would contact the citizens advice bureau and ask them what yiour legal postion might be and that advice would be free. The contact may have centain break clauses i.e moving away/illness etc. I would get a copy of the contact you siged and read the fine print.

rushnowt

I had a similar experience a few years ago, and i simply cancelled my DD, they sent me a couple of letters explaining that they had been unable to collect the money from my bank and to ask me to fill in a new DD mandate, which i never did.

I received nothing more from them and they certainly didnt try to take me to court to recover any money, i had noone round to collect money from me, and i certainly wasn't placed on any "black list"

If your having real difficulties and your concerned about it, simply write to them explaining the situation and that you intend to cancel you DD payment, I think most companies do understand changes in circumstances and will be sympathetic with you.

Good luck, but most of all dont let it worry you

culpepper

I went to one for 6 months but decided it wasnt for me.
I didnt go for a month and then wrote and told them I no longer wanted membership and would be cancelling payment, at first they were a bit put out but I pointed out that I had left a clear month before cancelling when I had not used their facility and wasnt going to pay them when I was not using their gym anymore (what is the payment for?) .They backed down then.
I dont see how they can charge you for NOT using their gym.It isnt as if you are taking somebody elses place .

MarkyMarkD

It depends entirely on their attitude.

If you sign up to a 12 month contract, such as for a gym or a mobile phone, you really should expect to have to pay for the 12 months. As other posters have said, they are very likely to pursue you for the debt, and if they went to court they would almost definitely win. If so, you'd have to pay their costs as well as the initial amount due - so if you get a summons, I'd pay up.