Stop unfair Gym contracts

wealdroam

heidilap wrote: »

It amazes me how so many of you think that consumers shouldn't have rights.

But consumers do have rights.
Firstly they have the right to do their research before they sign.
Then they are protected from unfair contract terms by The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999

heidilap wrote: »

A cooling off period is not unreasonable if the gym is as good as they say then it is fair.

Then if the gym you are planning on joining do not offer a cooling off period, and that is important to you, do not sign up.

heidilap wrote: »

My friend joined David LLoyd for her family and it was all golden promises. Once she returned home and got the full details of the Kids times it appeared they couldn't join in any activities. In order for them to do so would cost an extra £50 a month. because it was verbal it is hard to prove.

Why didn't you friend 'get the full details' before signing?
The time to ask questions is before signing, isn't it?
Any potential customer is always free to ask for 'verbal' promises to be put in writing and any good gym would be happy to do that.

heidilap wrote: »

So a cooling of period is not unreasonable.

Agreed. Perhaps anyone considering joining a gym should ask if one is offered, before they sign.

heidilap wrote: »

She went in within 2 hours to point this out but faced abusive unhelpful staff.

Sorry, I cannot believe that the staff were abusive.
We see this so often on here that customers, when they don't get their own way, complain about abusive staff.
OK, I wasn't there so I don't know whether they were abusive or not, but I can make assumptions as well as you can.

heidilap wrote: »

A decent company would not put forward any problems nor have an issue with the request in the participation.

Then why did your friend not sign up with a decent company?
Or was it that she/he just assumed that all the T&Cs that she was agreeing to were just what she wanted?

heidilap wrote: »

My gym offers 10 day cooling off and cancellation anytime after 3 months with one month notice.

You should've suggested to your friend that she join your gym then.
Cancellation terms are often better if you are prepared to pay a larger monthly amount.

heidilap wrote: »

For those of you who seem to think you Know it all and support this practice you need to wake up. Type in David LLoyd and see the amount of hurt and distress they have caused through thier practice.

Well let's make one thing clear, I don't pretend to know it all. Do you?

I find it disappointing that you are getting abusive just because people are not agreeing with you.

Now, can you please address one of the questions posed earlier...

Why are you singling out gym contracts for your attention?
Are mobile phone contracts similar?

unholyangel

wealdroam wrote: »

But consumers do have rights.
Firstly they have the right to do their research before they sign.
Then they are protected from unfair contract terms by The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999



Then if the gym you are planning on joining do not offer a cooling off period, and that is important to you, do not sign up.



Why didn't you friend 'get the full details' before signing?
The time to ask questions is before signing, isn't it?
Any potential customer is always free to ask for 'verbal' promises to be put in writing and any good gym would be happy to do that.



Agreed. Perhaps anyone considering joining a gym should ask if one is offered, before they sign.



Sorry, I cannot believe that the staff were abusive.
We see this so often on here that customers, when they don't get their own way, complain about abusive staff.
OK, I wasn't there so I don't know whether they were abusive or not, but I can make assumptions as well as you can.



Then why did your friend not sign up with a decent company?
Or was it that she/he just assumed that all the T&Cs that she was agreeing to were just what she wanted?



You should've suggested to your friend that she join your gym then.
Cancellation terms are often better if you are prepared to pay a larger monthly amount.


Well let's make one thing clear, I don't pretend to know it all. Do you?

I find it disappointing that you are getting abusive just because people are not agreeing with you.

Now, can you please address one of the questions posed earlier...

Why are you singling out gym contracts for your attention?
Are mobile phone contracts similar?

Careful, next thing you know we'll all be accused of working for said company

tomwakefield

heidilap wrote: »

Hi all

I have just started a petion to ask the governement to make it unlawful for Gyms/Health clubs to offer unreasonable tie ins to gym membership and also requesting a cooling off period. please sign this petition.
epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29273

Are you not interested in the cheaper rates that longer term contracts tend to offer?

bris

My local golf club, like thousands of others insist on yearly contracts, as do cricket clubs, bowling clubs etc but you don't hear complaints about them.
I refer back to my original post, gyms are a spur of the moment rash decision that most people don't stick too, they then call it unfair because they can't be bothered going back, and still have to pay. The services are still available to them, the staff and expences still need to be paid whether the member goes in or not.
The consumer does have right's, not signing a contract until they are absolutely certain it's what the want, is the most important right they have.