Parkwood Leisure Gym - Cancelling membership

Empire

Hello there, a few months ago I joined my local Parkwood Leisure Gym. But now, I might be moving away, so I'm just wondering how to go about cancelling the subscription.

When I first signed up for it (in person) I made a payment of £1 to start the membership, then was given the option of paying £32.99 p/m or 28.99 p/m (but tied into a 12m contract) these payments are via Direct Debit. Also there would be a two month cancellation notice require for both options, which I was fine with. I opted for the 32.99 option, so I could cancel when I wanted. I signed the Direct Debit form and that was that. I wasn't given a copy of the T&C's or a copy of the Direct Debit instruction or any paperwork for that matter apart from the membership card.

So, now for the fun part. I was looking on their website for instructions on how to cancel and stumbled upon the T&C's on their website.

C. expressions Health and Fitness membership sales

1. This package is offered for a minimum of 12 months. Members can pay either by annual subscription in advance, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. For granting this credit, members pay an additional 10% charge which is incorporated in the Direct Debit payments.
2. If you wish to terminate your Direct Debit membership agreement during the first 12 months you must do so in writing to the Centre where you joined the expressions membership scheme. A single cancellation fee equivalent to 2 monthly payments will be required. Annual memberships are non refundable.
3. Direct Debit Payments will continue beyond 12 months until such time as you advise us in writing of your intention to cancel. Please notify us at least 14 days before your Direct Debit due date.
4. If you cancel your membership for any reason, it will be necessary to pay a further administration fee when you restart.

Now, the problems I have are these:
1) I was never told that regardless of what package I chose it would be a 12m minimum, that's why I opted for the more expensive one. Also they never explained it was more expensive due to a 'credit charge'.
2)They said I had to give two months notice, which is fine, so long as I can keep using the gym during those two months. But from the sounds of it, looks like they cancel immediately and then charge you a two months cancellation fee.

Again this wasn't explained to me and tbh and I don't even remember signing any contract, just the D/D form.

Where do I stand on this?

bris

I am not sure I get what your saying, where does it say the more expensive option is not tied in? The dearer option is normally for added services such as zomba, body attack classes etc. Are you sure you didn't get mixed up, my wife pays a little extra to use the classes, the cheaper option only allows use of the gym.

Also when you give the two months notice you can of course use the services for that two months, there is nothing in the term you posted to say otherwise.

Empire

bris wrote: »

I am not sure I get what your saying, where does it say the more expensive option is not tied in? The dearer option is normally for added services such as zomba, body attack classes etc. Are you sure you didn't get mixed up, my wife pays a little extra to use the classes, the cheaper option only allows use of the gym.

Also when you give the two months notice you can of course use the services for that two months, there is nothing in the term you posted to say otherwise.

No, it's exactly the same service. But from looking at the T&C's its more expensive because they add a 10% 'credit charge'.

Yeah I suppose you are right. I don't mind, so long as I can continue using it during the two month cancellation period. I will send them a letter saying I want to cancel anyway, thanks for the input.

Laura2507

I know this is resurfacing an old thread but I have found myself in a difficult situation with Parkwood Leisure also.

I joined in December and I specifically explained that it was just for the winter as I cycle during the summer. I was told it's fine, all I need to do is give two months notice in the first year (14 days after a year). He even wrote 'two months notice' on the front of my form.

I wrote my two months notice last week to end in April and now they have written saying it will be a single two month DD payment and my membership will end on 28th Feb - implying no access despite two months worth of payments!

My terms say this
2. If you wish to terminate your Direct Debit membership agreement during the first 12 months you must do so in writing to the Centre where you joined the expressions membership scheme. A single cancellation fee equivalent to 2 monthly payments will be required. Annual memberships are non refundable.

There is nothing to say that you can't have access. If I am paying two months DD then surely I should be able to have the access for two months?

I also think I have a case as it is clearly written on the front of my form 'two months notice' in handwriting not my own and has the advisors name on it (all in his handwriting).

what do you think?

Fire_Fox

Laura2507 wrote: »

I know this is resurfacing an old thread but I have found myself in a difficult situation with Parkwood Leisure also.

I joined in December and I specifically explained that it was just for the winter as I cycle during the summer. I was told it's fine, all I need to do is give two months notice in the first year (14 days after a year). He even wrote 'two months notice' on the front of my form.

I wrote my two months notice last week to end in April and now they have written saying it will be a single two month DD payment and my membership will end on 28th Feb - implying no access despite two months worth of payments!

My terms say this
2. If you wish to terminate your Direct Debit membership agreement during the first 12 months you must do so in writing to the Centre where you joined the expressions membership scheme. A single cancellation fee equivalent to 2 monthly payments will be required. Annual memberships are non refundable.

There is nothing to say that you can't have access. If I am paying two months DD then surely I should be able to have the access for two months?

I also think I have a case as it is clearly written on the front of my form 'two months notice' in handwriting not my own and has the advisors name on it (all in his handwriting).

what do you think?

The person you dealt with is likely not an advisor, they are probably sales staff on commission with targets to hit. A "cancellation fee equivalent to" is a penalty for not fulfilling the twelve month contract. You would have access if you were still a member, your DD payment is not your membership it is your cancellation fee.

Would you expect access if it said
"2. If you wish to terminate your Direct Debit membership agreement during the first 12 months you must do so in writing to the Centre where you joined the expressions membership scheme. A single cancellation fee of £250 will be required."
It's not a twelve month contract if you can cancel at any time with no penalty, it's simply a rolling contract which is generally only seen in non commercial facilities (council, university, college gyms).

By all means write a letter to the club manager stating how you were misled by the handwritten notes but I don't rate your chances, they don't really have any incentive to bend the rules for an outgoing member. Can't you suspend your membership for the summer? Many clubs offer this for a small fee.