Regal Debt Collection

Con1750

Hello,

I have some questions regarding Regal Debt Collection, I was a member of a gym for some time where I had set up a Direct Debit to pay £25pm to use the facility. I wanted to cancel the membership after a few months as the facilities were poor so I phoned up and they said I needed to come fill out a form and pay a further month of membership, I was not happy as I wasnt going to use the gym so I would not be paying the £25. I cancelled the direct debit with my bank account and was never contacted by phone or post by the gym about payment. I did not have a contract with the gym simply a standing direct debit agreement to leave my account each month until no longer wanted.

I have now received a letter from Regal Debt collection agencys, stating that I now owe them money and they are collecting on behalf of the gym.

I ignored the letter as I do not believe I owe any money to the gym. Today I received a phone call from who I believe to be Regal, but would not tell me who was calling, they asked for information such as my DOB and Address, phone number and email address. I refused to give them the information and told them I did not owe them any money and was told I was refusing to pay the debt of £25 and someone would be sent in person.

I know the supposed debt is only very small but out of principal I was not prepared to give these rude people any money for something I do not believe I owe in the first place.

Any advice would be appreciated, as I have heard Regal are a nasty company

Thanks for your time

Connor

pauletruth

no contract no debt. no one is going to chase you very far for this.

matttye

Is this because they required you to give notice to cancel your membership? It's not unusual for people to ask for a month's notice.

If this was in the T&C's you signed up to when joining you may be liable.

Con1750

I am not aware, to my understanding. Is it possible to request a copy of the document I signed with the gym from the debt collectors if they continue to pursue me?

They were already very abrupt on the phone to my mother and furthermore to me which has bit my tongue a little.

matttye

Con1750 wrote: »

I am not aware, to my understanding. Is it possible to request a copy of the document I signed with the gym from the debt collectors if they continue to pursue me?

They were already very abrupt on the phone to my mother and furthermore to me which has bit my tongue a little.

Which gym is it?

You should have a look on their website. If the T&C's haven't been updated since you joined, the ones on the website will be the ones you agreed to.

Con1750

Its a local hotel gym ran by Raddison Blu they have no T and Cs on their website at all.

I cant post links as im new to the forum, but its called the Park Inn hotel by raddison blu, I cant find any t and cs at all under the gym section.

sharp82

Think you'll owe the £25 which you didnt pay when cancelled.

Personally, i'd just pay the £25 and be done with it... I know, 'principles' etc etc. But the amount of time you'll spend arguing will end up costing more than £25. Pay it, and move on

Con1750

If I go ahead and pay the company, should I ask for a letter to confirm the money has been settled and anything has been taken off my credit report?

I have little experience dealing with these sort of people but they seem like a shady bunch to say the least. Also would it be wise to give them a call back? as I was already threatened over the phone by them that they would be sending someone to my home address, which im pretty sure isnt allowed.

matttye

Con1750 wrote: »

If I go ahead and pay the company, should I ask for a letter to confirm the money has been settled and anything has been taken off my credit report?

I have little experience dealing with these sort of people but they seem like a shady bunch to say the least. Also would it be wise to give them a call back? as I was already threatened over the phone by them that they would be sending someone to my home address, which im pretty sure isnt allowed.

If you actually do owe the money then you can't demand they take anything off your credit report - only that they mark it as settled. But yes, ask for written confirmation that you've paid.

Everyone has an 'implied right of access' to visit your home address in common law but you can remove this at any time, so write to them saying you withdraw their implied right of access to visit you at home.

ValHaller

matttye wrote: »

If you actually do owe the money then you can't demand they take anything off your credit report - only that they mark it as settled. But yes, ask for written confirmation that you've paid.

For a straight gym subscription contract, nothing should be going on a credit report anyway? Only if it was a full year single payment contract with an associated loan to render the subscription as a monthly payment would there be a credit agreement. The Debt Collection Agency will of course threaten the credit record as a matter of course.

OP, the lesson is never to cancel a Direct Debit as a means of bringing an end to a contract. It does not work.

poppasmurf_bewdley

No one is going to visit you for a debt of £25. It would cost more to organise and carry out than the value of the debt. Only a local council would do that.

They are simply trying it on.