The Gourmet society rip off.........

mblago

I have just had an argument with the customer services at the Gourmet society about my automatic renewal due end of August. They have renewed my annual subscription of £39.95 without my consent.
They said they have sent to me 2 emails advising me that my renewal is due soon but I can definitely say that I have not received these. They now
I do not want the the card as basically I can't use it enough and not good value for money. They won't budge with the refund, so I would like to know where I stand legally if anyone can help please? Small claims court maybe?

LilElvis

mblago wrote: »

I have just had an argument with the customer services at the Gourmet society about my automatic renewal due end of August. They have renewed my annual subscription of £39.95 without my consent.
They said they have sent to me 2 emails advising me that my renewal is due soon but I can definitely say that I have not received these. They now
I do not want the the card as basically I can't use it enough and not good value for money. They won't budge with the refund, so I would like to know where I stand legally if anyone can help please? Small claims court maybe?

Their terms clearly state that they auto-renew and give details as to how to cancel. If you didn't cancel in the manner and the time that their terms dictate then you are going to be stuck with membership for another year. Put it on your calendar for next year as a reminder to cancel it. It's a pain, but it is what you agreed to when you joined.

wiogs

Oh no! Not a rip off then.

Yeah annoying as these things are you do need to keep on top of auto-renewals.

wealdroam

You did agree to automatic renewals when you ticked the box marked:

• Yes please! I'd like to become a member of the Gourmet Society and agree to inform the Gourmet Society if any of my contact details change. I agree to the full Terms and Conditions and that my Gourmet Society membership is an ongoing service until ceased in accordance with them. I understand you'll send me emails about my membership that could inadvertently be delivered to my Spam folder.

From their T&Cs:

Automatic renewal applies to all memberships where you have provided us with payment details, except gift purchases.

They also state:

Cancelling your membership: In order to cancel your membership you must return all property of SL, including but not limited to any membership cards that are valid for a term that has not yet been paid for. Before cancelling your membership you must telephone us on 0845 257 4477 to obtain a cancellation code, but at least 15 days before your membership term ends. Our property will only be deemed to have been returned to us when we receive it our offices at 63 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 3AW (for your own peace of mind and avoidance of doubt we strongly advice using a signed for delivery method, such as Royal Mail Special Delivery).

Therefore... not without your consent.

mblago

So, what about the lack of emails informing me of my renewal? this is not an isolated incident as per "Thisismoney" blog website.

LilElvis

mblago wrote: »

So, what about the lack of emails informing me of my renewal? this is not an isolated incident as per "Thisismoney" blog website.

Non-receipt of communications is also covered in the terms.

mblago

I have checked my spam folder and deleted folder and are very definitely not there, by the fact that they verbally said they have sent them is enough of proof on their part?
Bunch of Rip-off merchants!

dreamypuma

Not a rip-off, you simply failed to read and digest what you signed up for. You can't blame them for your failure.

wiogs

mblago wrote: »

I have checked my spam folder and deleted folder and are very definitely not there, by the fact that they verbally said they have sent them is enough of proof on their part?
Bunch of Rip-off merchants!

Your inability to understand T&C of something you voluntarily signed up to does not make it a rip off

mblago

So the fact they failed to send me any renewal notice is my faliure? As I said there is plenty of others out there who have been duped by them!

wealdroam

I'll repeat:

From their T&Cs:

Automatic renewal applies to all memberships where you have provided us with payment details, except gift purchases.

See that word automatic?