LA Fitness - a warning

LJF123

Dear consumers

I just thought I would fill you in on my LA Fitness experience and hope that it will act as a warning for future consumers.

I joined LA Fitness by kiosk and found afterwards that because of this I was not entitled to a cooling off period. There have also been issues regarding how I was sold the contract (been told I could leave with one months notice) but without going into too much detail, it was only the day after I joined I decided to leave, and try that day I did.

Let me point out that I did not use the facilities once, my card pass has not been used.

Anyway, I have not been allowed to cancel my contract and have just paid £600 to buy myself out of it.

They are a nightmare to deal with; ignoring high court rulings about contract terms and lengths as well as advice about unfair contract cancellation terms. My issues with them in emails have been constantly ignored.

I have lodged a formal complaint yet was told I'd probably not hear from them as they had issued a final response, this was before I had bought myself out of the contract. None of my questions have been answered and I am one very unhappy consumer.

Vedrina

Something doesn't sound right about your post, on there website it states "We don’t want to lose you but if cancelling is the only suitable option then please call us for a chat and our Member Services team will be happy to assist you.

If you do wish to cancel, just remember you will need to take into account your notice period which is one full calendar month. You will pay us one more payment but you will still be able to use the facilities until the end of the following month". As far as I can see that is the norm.

Also would you not have been better using the contract if you have £600 to throw at buying yourself out of it? Which would also appear to be the wrong amount!

marliepanda

You can sign up for a years contract, so that wouldnt come under the '1 months notice' rule.

The most expensive option I seemed to be able to find was for the South Kensington branch (or the one where you can go to all of them) which was £88 a month, which £600 would be a 'cheap' buy out.

Even the other London ones are only £50 a month so £600 would be the full term.

So assuming the OP signed up for a years contract at a price above £50 a month for £600 to even be an option for a buy out.

LJF123

Dear consumers

Vedrina, that is exactly why I thought: I thought I was able to leave with one months notice, however, they fail to fill you in on the full terms and conditions before you sign regarding something called an 'initial term'- my initial term was 18 months hence the £600! With further research I found gyms are not even supposed to offer 'agreements' which exceed a year in length.
I have no doubt about my naivety in this and it is a very expensive lesson to learn from. I joined on a whim, not realising that gym memberships were so tricky. However, having been in contact with LA Fitness for some time regarding this matter the 'give us a ring and we'll try to help out' is pretty misleading.
How can I convey my anger about them refusing to take my complaint on board because I had received 'a last correspondence' from them?
I think the industry needs a severe over hall, a lot of gyms offer a 'cooling off period' where consumers can leave within 7 days if they find its not for them: LA Fitness don't unless you join over the telephone or internet.
I fully appreciate this is my fault but I also argue LA Fitness do not practice fairly, the competitions and markets authority are still monitoring them regarding their unfair contract lengths. I just wanted to warn people who are as naive about gym memberships as I was that they must read the small print very carefully.

alepulp

I fell foul of this and you try to call the customer support line - they NEVER answer it. Phoned 3 times today:
12:52 no answer
20:46 no answer
07:03 no answer
So, I've cancelled the Direct Debit.