LA Fitness cancellation PLEASE HELP

sebass89

Club Joined: LA Fitness Southgate (London)
Hi Everyone's
I need your help PLEASE ADVICE ME

4th August 2010: i sing a 12 month contra at la fitness, the next day i when there to cancel because I was pressured into signing up for a 12 month membership in which all details where entered on a computer table and electronically signed, without being given any paperwork detailing the contract information or terms and conditions. Once sign-up was complete I was given a printed copy of the agreement but NOT the terms and conditions.


4th August:Visited the gym to discuss canceling the contract. I was then given the terms and conditions and was informed countless times with the on site staff that it was not possible to cancel. Eventually, I was told I could speak to the manager in which I waited 3 hours for who never turned up. Still on site, I was told to call Head Office to discuss my claim. They passed me from person to person and eventually informed me that I should speak to the Member Services Department to cancel. When I arrived home I notice that an amount of £39 had been debited from my account to LA Fitness.

6th August: Contacted Neil Hodgon from the Member Services department to look at my case. Received a response the same day informing me that cancellation was not possible.

7th August: The setup direct debit was cancelled.

I believe certain things need to be clarified. Firstly, upon signing the contract on site, I was not shown the terms and conditions at any time as all the information was provided directly to the employee behind the desk . Only once my electronic signature was given and thus sign-up was completed was I given a printed copy of the agreement and NOT the terms and conditions. Secondly, I do feel that I was pressured into signing something in which I did not have the chance to seriously think about and come to a decision that would suit me best.
I can honestly say that the conditions proposed by the contract are not only unethical and unfair to the average consumer, in my opinion, but more importantly unfair to me.
Only when I returned on site on the 4th of August did I receive a hard copy of the terms and conditions. These did not mention a cancellation policy at all. I am someone who receives Housing benefits (I can provide proof) and struggle to find regular work (currently working part time) and believe it would not be possible for me to keep up with payments.

21th October: now "ARC Debt Collection Agency" was me to pay the full money, I ready contact it : Citizens advice & consumer direct no result don't know what do now?.

USM

If you had not seen the terms and conditions and were not happy with a 12 month contract you should not have signed.

I'm assuming you're over 18 and therefore an adult. You will have to stick with this for 12 months unfortunately.

Chimpofdoom

USM wrote: »

If you had not seen the terms and conditions and were not happy with a 12 month contract you should not have signed.

I'm assuming you're over 18 and therefore an adult. You will have to stick with this for 12 months unfortunately.

As USM says, you agreed to a 12 month contract, you knew what you were getting into.

Cancelling the direct debit was a mistake, as this will now effect any credit rating you had. The debt belongs to ARC Debt collection agency and you'll probably need to agree some sort of repayment with them.

pinkshoes

So long as you are over 18, then it was entirely up to you to check the T&Cs before signing. A good salesman will always pressurise you into signing, so nothing new there.

You will have to pay the debt. Ideally, you should pay the monthly amount and actually USE the gym, otherwise you are paying for nothing. I'd just go into the gym, pay the months that you owe, then carry on using the gym and paying monthly by Direct Debit.

Make sure you put in writing to them that you'd like to cancel after the 12 month minimum period, as otherwise you may find it rolls over to another 12 months!

sebass89

Thanks for replying
@USM, @Chimpofdoom & @pinkshoes I want add this I have not stick any box when signed ( i know what you mean because the application was done on a computer table normaly there box to stick or click yes i accept. NO HAVE NOT DONE THAT) also I never use the gym at ANYTIME. the saleswoman never told me that i have't got a 14 day cooling off period.

this three good reason why La Fitness sued cancel this:
1st i have not stick or accept the T&C - the T&C was not show to me before or after i singed
2th the saleswoman never told me that i have't got a 14 day cooling off period.
3th never use the gym at ANYTIME

when contacting "Neil Hodgon" the Member Services department from HQ , he say i can't cancel i quote " i done my investigation i believe the sale was done correctly ".

how can "Neil Hodgon" say i believe the sale was done correctly he was no there at the time, how can you believe if you was not there, this is legal theft.

Please keep give me your advice every comments are welcome

pinkshoes

The sale is 100% correct.

It was entirely up to YOU if you wanted to read the T&Cs beforehand.
It was entirely up to YOU to ask about any cooling off period. This would only be the case if you signed up offsite i.e. not AT the gym.

The fact you don't use the gym is irrelevant and entirely your choice. If you have to pay anyway (and you DID agree to pay and use it for a year), then you might as well use it.

You were willing to pay for a years membership when you signed up, so what specifically is it in the T&Cs that you don't like?

custardy

what is it with folks and gym memberships?
we really need to do a study of the personality types who join gyms and % who want to cancel

sebass89

@pinkshoes normal guys like me know when singed a contract he or her have 14 day cooling off period i.e : mobile phone, internet , sky , bt etc incl onsite or offside "virginactive & davidlloyd offer 14 day cooling off period on or off SITE "

this is unfair contract, all i wante to see what offer my local gym is going i end up pressured into signing up for a 12 month membership.
that was stupid off me sing so think i can't pay & dont need.

Please keep give me your advice every comments are welcome

nomoneytoday

sebass89 wrote: »

this three good reason why La Fitness sued cancel this:
1st i have not stick or accept the T&C - the T&C was not show to me before or after i singed
2th the saleswoman never told me that i have't got a 14 day cooling off period.
3th never use the gym at ANYTIME

Why did you join a gym if not to use the facilities?

zppp

sebass89 wrote: »

Please keep give me your advice every comments are welcome

I am not sure what advice you are looking for, as the above posters are correct with regards to your situtation and position.

sebass89

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Why did you join a gym if not to use the facilities?

all i wanted to see what offer my local gym is going i end up pressured into signing up for a 12 month membership.
that was stupid off me sing so think i can't pay & don't need.