He made me cry

Squidgy

My daughter has been going to a childrens gym. You have to pay for 8 weeks at a time. Due to illness and injury my daughter missed four sessions out of the eight. My mother (who takes her) was told she could make the sessions up during the week (not possible as she goes to nursery every day except Monday) or that she could go to more sessions on Monday (not really practical as the sessions are an hour long and being only two she would be knackered). I spoke to the gym today as they had told my mum if she didn't use the sessions they would be lost. I pointed out the following part of their brochure:

"Please note, if you miss your lesson you can always attend another lesson to make up, so your child does not miss out"

However they are now adimant that I have to pay for the next eight sessions in order to take the missed four. I pointed out the above and that there would still not be time for my daughter to make up the missed sessions along with the new ones. I suggested a refund for the four weeks. At this point the man I was speaking to (the manager) started shouting at me down the phone telling me it wasn't his problem, that that was their policy and that I was trying to screw a charity - his exact words (I didn't even know it was a charity!) He laid in to me for the next few minutes until I felt myself getting upset and I put the phone down on him.

A few minutes later he called me back and apologised - telling me not to cry, as I was now sobbing down the phone. But still managing to make it clear that it was all my fault and that I'd ruined it for everyone else, and now they'd have to spend hundreds of pounds of the charities money getting all the leaflets re-worded. He said people were always trying to get something for nothing and that basically it was my fault for making him angry with me. He finally said my daughter could take the missed sessions, but frankly I don't want her to go there anymore after all that.

Does anyone think I was in the wrong? I love to know.

JULIE

You are absolutely SO NOT WRONG!!!!!!!

I don't know what to say on how to pursue this matter..... he is so clearly in the wrong....if that's what it states in your brochure.... his attitude is disgraceful....I would probably go to the highest person I could probably by letter and state what was said, what is written in brochure, dates and times etc... and I would insist on having the remainder of my money back and take my child elsewhere...

stormCat99

That sounds awful! Whether it's a charity or not has nothing much to do with it, as their Tc and Cs say that you can rearrange any missed lessons, I don't see why this so-called manager is not allowing you to.

Whatever the circumstances, yelling abuse down the telephone at you is not acceptable.

You should write a strongly worded letter to the company's head office, with a copy sent to the manager in question. Explain your predicament, and gentl but firmly point out that they have not stuck to the terms and conditions you were given. Say that you are not trying to rip them off in any way, but that you are just trying to get what you paid for, and had intended on continuing to pay for more lessons once you had caught up the missed ones.

Just because it is a charity, doesn't mean they can treat you so badly and expect you to just put up with it. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Squidgy

Thanks guys. I think hubby is going to sort it all out. Can't say I particularly want to speak to the guy again and my mum now has no intention of taking my daughter back there.

Thanks again x

burbs_2

people like this get on my nerves. If my partner was upset to the point of crying by some 2 bit manager then i would pop down to speak too him. Do you think he would have SHOUTED at a man, i think not.

I wouldnt worry about it, he has had a rant and rave, now you write a letter to his head office and explain that you are disgusted etc etc. The fact that he runs a charity would give me the idea that he tries to get donations etc and he talks to people like that.

I would send my letter off straight away and explain that your child will not be going back and you require a refund as this is due to the abuse given by the so called manager.

Poppy9

Charity commission

You can find out on the above site if it is a registered charity and details of their head office.

I would also report him to Social Services if this man is working with young children. He has obviously got an anger problem.

braken2000

whats wrong with everyone at the moment, i have had a manager shout at me in a restaurant because his cutlerry was dirty, i would write a letter to the manager and put on it urgent and confidential so the secretary does dnot open and ''lose'' it. tell us how you get on

surfcat

may I politely ask what a children's gym is, and why a two year old need attend?

soolin

It drives me crazy when businesses can hide behind charity status as an excuse to be rude to someone. It doesn't matter whether or not it is a charity, the manager and all staff should be civil and there is no excuse to be otherwise.

Soo

carlachloe

people can be so rude what a horrible man, try not to let him get you down! I too have a 2 year old daughter and really there are far more things to be worrying about than that!!! hope everything works out for you .................

Rex_Mundi

If anyone did this to my OH.........I would do my nut!!! I'd certainly leave tears in the guys eyes by the time I'd finished with him.

Anyway.......I'm not suggesting this. Don't let this go. It's not your fault they misworded their literature. If you hadn't pointed out any problem with it, someone else would of.

Write to the head office at least. Definately report the place to the local council, I'm sure they must have to license the premises and it seems this guy has an anger management problem which makes him completely unsuitable to work with children. Maybe a letter to your local paper as well.

Whatever you do......don't let it drop. This guy needs reporting and dealing with.

And remember.......Never let the bar stewards grind you down!