Virgin Gym Membership

m4tt_3

Hi there,

I signed up for a Virgin Active membership last April time and last month I came around to cancelling my membership as I need to consolidate my money and start saving (kids, holiday, house etc). When I signed up I was told that after a year I would be able to cancel my contract with them.

So when I came to do this, they told me that once the year has expired (and you havent cancelled with them), you then enter into a second rolling year of membership, meaning you have to wait another year to cancel again.

I was told when I signed up, I could cancel with a simple 30 day notice period (regardless of date and time) and it would be hunky dory. I also got this confirmed from an employee at the gym.

So now, I am facing £50 a month which I do not want to pay. Virgin Active have a cancellation form on their website but once submitted I received a letter telling me I had 8 more months to wait to cancel it.

If you think about it, you only that one month period in which to cancel it (the month before your full year is up), this isnt right and I really dont know what to do about it.

Do you guys have any advice? I have read some other posts but all of those were from people who hadnt even completed a full year.....I've been there 15 months!

I appreciate any advice you could give.

Butlers1982

What does your credit agreement say?

If you havent got it, ask for a copy off them and that will tell you what you signed upto and agreed

m4tt_3

I will check that once I'm home, hopefully it will backup my case. Thanks for the idea! I will report back!

LondonDiva

You should only be signed up to a year, then a monthly rolling contract. Check your ts&cs to be sure, but if so & still no joy, I'd cancel the direct debit with the bank, then write to Virgin to tell them you've cancelled it.

m4tt_3

Ive just found the contract and it does have in there that if you dont cancel by the final month, you then automatically sign up for another year. So basically ive been screwed!

Any ideas of how to get round it?

Butlers1982

I heard that if you just cancel your direct debit, you get a letter asking you to pay next time you visit.
But if you just never go again they dont chase you as it costs them about £500 to pass your details to a collection agency and they dont do it.

Ive never done this myself and wouldnt like to risk it but i have 3 or 4 people who have done it.

RadoJo

However if you cancel your direct debit, you will be liable to charges if they try to take the money - the direct debit guarantee is there to protect both parties. Failure to pay might be the kind of thing which goes on your credit record, so make sure you check that before doing anything rash!
Although it seems as though you have been stung by some sneaky Ts and Cs, you could try writing to their customer services team and explain the situation as you have here, and throw yourself upon their mercy - you never know, they might help you out, especially if you have the name of the person who let you think you could cancel within the time frame.
Good luck!

Optimist

m4tt wrote: »

So when I came to do this, they told me that once the year has expired (and you havent cancelled with them), you then enter into a second rolling year of membership, meaning you have to wait another year to cancel again.

That on the face of it would seem to be an unfair contract term. I would suggest a trip to your local Citizens advice