Harrassment at Gym

magentalady

I think you need to fight a bit harder - which I know isn't a nice prospect as you probably just want to forget about the whole matter. Your boyfriend phoning them twice and just patiently waiting to hear back isn't really enough, in my opinion. He has behaved appallingly and up until the point about him stealing your number off the computer I thought you'd have a hard time proving it, but that's just totally unacceptable. You need to complain in writing and keep pushing until you get an answer. And yes, ensure you keep the texts.

Getting out of your contract shouldn't be the primary focus here - but if you make enough fuss about these incidents then I'd be very surprised if they didn't let you cancel. But it isn't going to just magically happen, I'm afraid - if you just let them sit back and ignore it then that's what they'll do.

PZH

Mrs_C26 wrote: »

I want to get out of the contract as I think the whole situation is a shambles. Even if the member of staff is removed I still want to leave out of principle - my boyfriend made two complaints on this matter and no one at the gym had the courtesy to apologise or look into the matter. I asked to have a different personal trainer and I was told this could be arranged but nothing happened despite me asking several times. It is only that I have spoken to Head Office and told them I will take the matter further that anyone is doing anything about it.

Have you formally complained ? The membership is yours and not your boyfriends - so they may be limited what they can do until then?

Also, as mentioned above - I would also report the harrassment to the police.

PZH

magentalady wrote: »

He has behaved appallingly and up until the point about him stealing your number off the computer I thought you'd have a hard time proving it, but that's just totally unacceptable.....

Trouble is - how do you prove he got the number from the system ? He could say - well the OP gave it to me?? (Which I am not saying they did)

pmduk

I'd talk to a local paper, these companies hate press coverage like this.

halibut2209

Contract be damned. I wouldn't care if the guy got fired. I wouldn't want to be in the same place where it happened

freezebox

thats disgusting.

magentalady

pmduk wrote: »

I'd talk to a local paper, these companies hate press coverage like this.

I'd do that too, if the company were really refusing to play nice. But from my reading of the original post, the OP hasn't really pushed them yet - just a few phonecalls from the sounds of it and she hasn't really challenged what they've said. They sadly aren't going to offer to let you out of your contract unless you push for it. It sounds like they're trying to palm you off with an apology and the promise of some dubious 'investigation' and you need to make it absolutely clear that you won't accept that.

I'd give them one more chance - contact them and insist that you want your contract cancelled as well as the employee investigated, or you will be taking the matter further.

I know it's hard because you just want out and don't want to take it further, but if you don't pursue this then things won't just happen.

halibut2209

No going to the press without proof, else you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.

However, you can certainly tell them that if they want to enforce the contract, they will have to take you to court and that you will make sure that the press are aware of the case. You have legal protection from what is said in court

blue_monkey_2

How long ago was this.

As you have the texts, I would suggest going to the police and telling them that he got your information off the conputer (DPA) and is sending you the texts (harrassment).

I would then send a letter to FF head office and tell them that in light of events and the conpanies failure to take the complaint seriously you have instigated police action and are cancelling your direct debit. You will also be seeking court action to recover all other monies paid to the company. And then take them through the small claims court for the rest of the money.

I would also see if you have legal cover from a union, bank account house or car insurance and give them a call as they might be able to give you free legal representation/advice.

His behaviour is totally unacceptable. It would be unacceptable between employees, it is even more unacceptable seeing as you are a PAYING customer.

I'd let them sue me too I am afraid, but I'd be onto the police ASAP as FF refuse to have anything to do with it. Go make a ststament as soon as possible and even if FF do not do anything, the police might. Be brave and speak up as someone younger and more vunerable might be groomed by this pervert. The police report is going to be the only thing that they are going to believe I am afraid.

magentalady

bris wrote: »

They could, of course say this is just another excuse for trying to get out of a membership, they hear every excuse going, you only need to look through these boards to see how many people are looking for ways out of gym memberships.

This is also a very good point. I get the impression that gyms hear all kinds of sob stories from people wanting to cancel their memberships, since they make their contracts so watertight and people don't account for that when they sign up. So if you lead with 'I want to cancel my contract' rather than 'I want to complain about my personal trainer', I think their knee-jerk reaction is going to be to say no. I would just be looking to get out of the contract and get away from the whole sorry business too, but unfortunately I think you will really have to fight to get it cancelled.