Gym Membership

lukejames1111

Hi guys,

Not too sure if this is the right section to post it in, so apologies if it isn't.

Anyway, last year I signed up to the gym but unfortunately I got made redundant a couple of months after.

The first thing I did was cut back on my spendings immediately, and I cancelled the direct debit for my gym membership. They phoned me up saying that I couldn't do this because I was locked in a 12 month contract.

I was like 'oh fair doo's, hopefully I won't be out of a job for too long', but, I still haven't found a job and money is REALLY tight at the moment.

So I'm wondering if there was some sort of legal way to get around this? I can't possibly afford to carry on the payments.

Thanks all!

~HotChocolate~

Unless you go bankrupt I doubt it. Can you take your contract to citizens advice to have a look at it? I did this and they found the contract I signed was out of date so I got out of mine.

ETA I think it was trading standards I took mine to because the gym I signed up with said there was parking for everyone and there wasn't so that's why I was looking for a way out of my contract.

Ginger_Red

The only thing you might be able to do is throw yourself on their mercy and beg.

Explain the situation and maybe ask them for some flexibility like suspending your membership for a few months. Say that you'll be happy to remain a loyal customer once you're back on your feet, but that you'd REALLY appreciate some slack for the time being.

But I would have thought the local manager would have to give a very good reason to his financial director for every free cancellation, or his/her job is on the line.

MsHoarder

They didn't promise you could leave if you lost your job did they? Mine did, so I sent them a letter cancelling my membership and reminding them of this agreement. Then another letter confirming it a fortnight later.

If not, try claiming financial hardship and pointing out that it would be bad publicity for their gym to be responsible for members to go bankrupt due to their fees.

Whatever you do, don't just cancel a direct debit on an active contract. Get the contract cancelled first. Otherwise you just open yourself up to ill-will and more fees.

willow101_2

First time I've used this but I'm in need of some help.

I have signed up to a gym membership however before signing I said that I would only be able to be a member till september, the sales women said fine we will sort that out when it is nearer the time and said it is a 3 months notice period. I have tried to hand in my notice and I have now been told I have to be a member for 12 months before the 3 months notice applies.

Does this seem unreasonable or what!

What should I do? I have been told one thing and signed up for another.

I am tempted to just cancel my money after the 3 months and hand over my notice.

Help!

malik999

Willow In this case it is very much down to the what the contract you signed says rather than what you were told verbally (unless you recorded it). Do you have a copy of the signed contract?.
One option is to call their bluff tell them you were told differently and you are providing the 3 month cancellation as of today and you consider the matter closed.
They may or may not pursue it.