Where Do I Stand? Gym Membership

sjc86

I took out a gym membership in February 2014. I signed up online for my chosen gym and this was outsourced to Debit Finance Collections to set up. Due to a change in jobs and reduction in income I can't afford to maintain the £31 a month and sent a letter of cancellation (sadly not recorded) and cancelled the DD. Due to my situation I've entered in to a DMP to ease some pressure whilst I look for a better paid job and there's no movement for a gym membership as I'm just about affording to live. DLC are now demanding £210 from me to settle my account or my gym provider may take legal action.

I requested a copy of my T&Cs as when I signed up I was fairly certain that it was 6 months minimum and 30 days cancellation notice after that which I why I chose them and not another local one. I cannot locate the original email anywhere and the T&Cs they have sent me show 12 months and 30 days notice after that. I also asked for a signed contract/credit agreement and they've responded with "As you signed up online, we do not hold a hard copy, we have requested your welcome email be re-sent to you which will provide all the details you require"

Where do I stand with them not being able to provide a signed contract? I'm trying hard to offer them a monthly repayment but they are non cooperative, pushy and rude.

Any advice is welcome

hollydays

Have you spoken to stepchange?

sjc86

Yes it is Step Change that are currently handling my DMP and have been since September when I cancelled my membership believing I was able to without penalty. I'm already paying less each month than I would like to and they're looking to see if there's anything they can do to help with the gym company.

suicidebob

sjc86 wrote: »

Where do I stand with them not being able to provide a signed contract? I'm trying hard to offer them a monthly repayment but they are non cooperative, pushy and rude.

Any advice is welcome

Doesn't make any difference, you have a contract that is legitimate.

What monthly repayment did you propose?

sjc86

I didn't think I'd have a leg to stand on as I can't find the original email which I'm convinced shows the minimum terms as 6 months. I offered them the original monthly repayment of £31 which I've taken from my food allowance until the balance is cleared but they're response was a letter advising it needs to be repaid in full and constantly refers to legal action and costs

wealdroam

sjc86 wrote: »

I didn't think I'd have a leg to stand on as I can't find the original email which I'm convinced shows the minimum terms as 6 months.

They have already told you "As you signed up online, we do not hold a hard copy, we have requested your welcome email be re-sent to you which will provide all the details you require".

Wait until you receive that.

What's the name of the gym? Do they have a website?

unholyangel

suicidebob wrote: »

Doesn't make any difference, you have a contract that is legitimate.

What monthly repayment did you propose?

While there may be a contract, whether its legitimate or not is a separate matter. Gym contracts in particular are notorious for breaching unfair trading/contract terms. In my personal experience, gyms who get it right are the exception rather than the rule.

OP what exactly do their T&C's state? The £210 they're asking for, how is that calculated.