Virgin Active Dispute

moctey

Any idea how to solve this issue ?

I asked virgin to stop my membership by sending an email in April through there website. They did not reply and kept charging me. I went in July at the club to sign a paper and they said they still have to charge me for August. To prevent this I cancelled the direct debit and asked the guarantee to get my money back from the month of may. I don't want to pay because I didn't use their facilities. They say the current balance is 198 GBP and that I should expect sundry fees.
What shall I do ? Pay for this to avoid further fees or just let them deal with the issue ?

Last time I had a similar issue with lebara mobile it went to a collection debt agency and I haven't had news for two years. I am tempted to do the same but the amount is 10 times bigger this time.

Kind Regards,
Moctey

DomRavioli

Firstly, why did you not send a LETTER? Emails can go missing, be deleted by accident, the list goes on.

What does your actual contract with Virgin Active say regarding cancellation? Did you follow that? IF not, you are liable for the debt and they will chase you for it.

moctey

Firstly, why did you not send a LETTER?

I was very very busy at that time but I should have obvisously.

What does your actual contract with Virgin Active say regarding cancellation?

It's a bit complicated when I subscribed it was called esporta, then at some point I had a membership renewed but I did not get a contract.
I expected them to reply to my emails because in old times they were replying promptly.

What does your actual contract with Virgin Active say regarding cancellation?

Is that bad ?

skellyness

Hi, I know when I cancelled mine I had to ring about 5 times to chase and send a number of emails - they are rather slow on dealing with things. Seems to be head office most of the time, the local branch did their part quite quickly for me. I think you should have gone in local in person in April if you really wanted it cancelled, but now that its been left you probably will have to pay the outstanding balance.

moctey

My way of thinking is as I did not get the service I won't pay. I know it seems not fair for many people but to me these companies make huges profits, fair enough as long as they give you something for your money.

I'd like to know what risk I am taking. If instead of 200£ I might end up with a court telling me to pay 300£ I'll take the chance but If I risk to pay 2000£ it would be stupid. I'd just like to know what to expect.

Buzby

No Service = No pay is very flawed logic. They make money from folk who intend to go, but don 't so it is an irrelevance. Your contract will be what you originally agreed, the renewal is irrelevant unless the terms markedly changed.

Your notice period is key - however if you don't pay, they will not take you 'to court ' they 'll simply fry your credit file for 5 years. Either negotiate, or let the inevitable happen.

DCFC79

Sorry but I have no sympathy for you OP, you had no time to type a letter, takes 10 minutes to type a letter out. You really didnt help yourself did you.

moctey

ok thank you. You both look like perfect customers. The law is here to prevent those compagnies from making too much money out of clients that do not go. (says my flawed logic of business). I have to precise I asked to unsubscribe, and that I moved out and was unable to go to the club because it was to far, it was not the I pay because I might go.

I could have sent a letter but what's the difference with the email through their website ? In both case I get no proof. In their contract they say email it's fine.

moctey

I'll let them write on my credit report then, will make me spend less money

rainbowfairydust

If you signed a contract then you are bound to that contract - it is immaterial whether you wanted to go or not.

Two things - 1- Do the right thing and pay the balance and 2- Stop taking out contacts willy nilly if you wont use the service. It will save you a lot of hassle.

Brock_and_Roll

Just bear in mind that by the time they have passed this debt on to debt collectors then balliffs, not only will you be getting huge amounts of hassle but the debt will spiral to £500+....and if ultimately you ignore it you will end up with your credit record trashed and getting things like mobile phone contracts or even car insurance etc will be difficult.