My gym has increased its prices whilst I'm still under contract. Is that legal?

HankRandy

I have just signed a 12 month contract with Virgin Active and 2 weeks into contract they've written to me giving notice that they're increasing my monthly contribution via my direct debit. I have phoned them and they haven't got anyone to take my call. I will keep trying but in the mean time; does anybody know if that is even legal? Surely I'm only contractually obliged to pay the money I signed up for? Can I insist that I'm out of contract if they change their end of the bargain?:mad:

cockaleekee

What does it say in your contract about varying the price?

Andy_L

Depends what the contract says. You may be able to now cancel the contract or you may be stuck with it.

O2 recently exercised an "increase by inflation" clause in their 2 year contracts & seem to have got away with it

Angry_Fanboy

Yeah I think Orange did it a few years ago as well.

I'd imagine there's some small-print tucked away in the contract you signed regarding price increases.

ValHaller

Andy_L wrote: »

O2 recently exercised an "increase by inflation" clause in their 2 year contracts & seem to have got away with it

However, the inflation 2 weeks in would be trivial. So any inflation based increase at this stage I would argue to be detrimental and grounds for rescinding.

arcon5

2 weeks in... Whatever clause they have I'm betting will be deemed unfair at this state and be grounds for rescinding.

A work with then may see it stay the same, but if they take the wrong amount your covered by the direct debit guarantee

paddyrg

Angry_Fanboy wrote: »

Yeah I think Orange did it a few years ago as well.

They did indeed, as did T-Mobile (same group). I was with them at the time, now somebody else gets my £xx a month as they handled it really shoddily alienating the customers they claimed they wanted to retain.

visidigi

Andy_L wrote: »

Depends what the contract says. You may be able to now cancel the contract or you may be stuck with it.

O2 recently exercised an "increase by inflation" clause in their 2 year contracts & seem to have got away with it

Was all contracts - 18 month ones were affected too.

Ectophile

Read your contract carefully. It may allow them to make small increases (no more than inflation) without penalty.

If it doesn't say that, or if the increase is more than small, then you have the right to cancel immediately and without penalty under consumer protection law.

Don't delay, though. If you continue to use the service after the price increase, then you will have accepted the new price.