Gymnasium subscription dispute

letsbehonest

I don't know what board to post this on but any advise would be very welcomed.
My daughter and her friend took out joint membership at a local gym in Aug 2006 , her friend then dissapreared leaving my daughter with the subscription burden. She rang the gym to explain and was given a bit of a runaround. She was told that the subscription could be modified for an admin fee and they would be in touch, this did not happen, there was then a phone conversation with a member of the gym admin staff culmenating in a pay up or we will send the balliffs round all this happened last August, there has been no correspondence since. On Saturday last a letter arrived for my daughter from a debt handling agency demanding payment of £1100. To my great dispair my daughter has shredded all her membership and contract details thinking that it had all gone away. there is no way she can afford this debt as she is a full time student living at home with her parents and only has a part time weekend job.
I have tried ringing the C.A.B. but I can't get any answer just a recorded message all the time.

gyzmo

firstly, contact consumer direct - they are available on telephone (0845040506) or on the internet http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ (though an email reply may take some time).

What will hapen will really depend on the exact wording of the contract, though it does sound like unfair contract terms are involved, giving your daughter certain rights. Sending debt collectors round without first exhausting all other methods is a bit harsh, and I doubt that a court would look favourably on this action.

Without seeing the contract, it is difficult to say any more except to give general advice.