Harlands - gym membership

daniejam

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but i need help ASAP and couldn't find somewhere else to put this.

So i am a member at a gym called gymbug in st helens, this place has a company called harlands collect their Direct Debits.

I have had a missed payment on my bank, i can see this and don't dispute it. I only saw it the other day to be honest. I have moved house recently and went back to collect my mail from the old house about a month after this missed payment. I had a letter from Harlands so from a £12.99 payment they have sent me a letter to say i owe them around £60. I rang gymbug, gave my details to them and they said they would have somebody contact me about it.

A week has passed, and i now have another letter saying i owe £90.98

The exact wording of the letter is

We refer to our previous letter and note that you have not contacted us. You have now incurred a further £25.00 charge and are £90.98 in arrears.

Under your Membership agreement, you have promised to pay this debt. If you continue to refuse to honour that commitment, we will have no option but to take further steps to collect the outstanding balance.

We want to help you resolve this situation but you must call us. Ignoring our letters is only resulting in further charges being added.

They have the most stupid opening hours ever, 9-1 then 2-5 during which i am working and cant contact them directly.

I rang gymbug again and they told me nobody has contacted me as the manager is off with a trapped nerve and he is the only person who can sort it.

What options do i have here? I will try to contact Harlands and i dont want anything to do with this to affect my credit rating as i'm trying to get a mortgage.

I am considering paying it, however paying £90 for a £12.99 direct debit doesn't sit right with me.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

PaulW922

The charges are as you say, ridiculous and I doubt they can be enforced in court even if your membership contract allows for them. However as you agree, you do owe the direct debit amount and a small charge to cover their costs is not unreasonable.

As your contract is, presumably, with the gym, I suggest you put your position to them in writing, pointing out that you did contact them, and enclose a cheque for the £12-99 outstanding - and see what happens.