Advice needed urgently!

lonsam

Hi all

I am in urgent need of advice here, right my details are I just signed a 24 month contract with LA Fitness, yesterday afternoon actually, I went in and the bloke who I saw showed me these memberships via their touch screen kiosks that are now based in their gyms, I then proceeded with the filling in of the form on their screen and I was told which bits to sign, thinking back I didn't get any terms and conditions or details about the contract to read till later when it was emailed to me at home, but of course that was a bit late as I signed already, he prob saw me coming lol, anyhow this is no laughing matter, I was just told to pay a bit for 'Admin fees' and my Direct Debit of £50 per month wouldn't start coming out until the 5th August.

Now my prob is on reflection 24 months i.e 2 years is an really long time and I just wondered how I stood on this subject, I mean do Gyms usually have the normal 'cooling off period', now if this isn't so and I can't cancel do you think I could transfer to a 12 month contract?

Please answer as soon as possible as I am due to go back today and would appreciate some urgent advice to be armed with.:(

somethingcorporate

No, they usually do not.

lonsam

somethingcorporate wrote: »

No, they usually do not.

Sorry something corporate what do you mean by that really short reply, no they do not have a 'cooling off period' or no I won't be able to transfer to a 12 month contract, please explain a bit more or can you offer me any construction advice on canceling as its still early days?

Should I phone the membership services?

I know I have been stupid but I really need some advice on this subject guys.:(:(

visidigi

Its unlikely you can transfer to a shorter term

Its unlikley there will be any flexibility as you registered for the services on site, in person.

Its unlikely the terms and conditions were not shown during sign up.

At the point of the person saying there will be 'a bit of admin fees' you should have stopped to check.

Its too late now and its unlikely there is any obligation for them to change the terms you have registered on.

Best way to prepare yourself? Look through the contract terms and conditions slowly and in detail to confirm they have held up their side of the process.

Optimist

A little surprised they are offering 24 month contracts. You might like to clarify this with them. I haven't actually read the ruling but I am led to believe that in the recent OFT v Ashbourne Management Services one of the judgements given was that a term greater than 12 months would be an unfair term and unenforceable.

That said, there is no cooling off period when you sign a agreement on the supplier premises.

pinkshoes

Unless there are medical reasons why you can't use a gym, or you move more than X miles from one of their branches, then your chances of cancelling or changing are slim.

somethingcorporate

What those guys said!

It would be unusual for you to have a cooling off period and it would be unusual if they allowed you out of a 2 year contract.

pmduk

You might want to check this FAQ about the effects of the court decision mentioned above on gym contracts

pmduk

OP, please let us know how you get on. It might help other people.

lonsam

Well it looks as though i have done a right booboo thank you for the advice everyone anyway.

Pmduk i read the link you put in your reply and it seems that applies to certain contracts, although i will ask the someone about this 2 year contract rule but i doubt it, anyway in the end for now I am just letting it run, besides i do like going to the gym weather its for the gym, classes or just swimming ect... which helps my scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and I don't do anything else as I don't really go out much anymore and i haven't really got any bills as I moved back home to my mothers due to a bad relationship.

lonsam

Right now no matter what i keep telling myself i am totally uncomfortable with this 2 year contract i feel like bursting into tears everytime i think of it and it was one stupid, stupid mistake but its to late now, oh why didn't i take a day to mull it over, of all the idiot things to do, i thought seen as my DD doesn't start yet maybe at worse i could transfer to just a year but looks as though I am well and truely stuffed on this one, isn't there any light at the end of the tunnel for me guys?