Swimming pool contract cancellation?

WolfGirl83

Hi, after some advice please


We signed up for weekly swimming lessons for our baby at a local pool. We have been unable to attend for ages for various reasons including illness, and now I am back at work. We haven't attended for a good 2 months. They haven't contacted us at all during this time when we just haven't appeared at the lessons.


My husband finally posted the cancellation letter, but decided to cancel the direct debit at the same time (before they received the letter). They just sent me an angry email demanding payment of a month's fees.


The reason we didn't cancel earlier is they insist it has to be in writing, not email or phone (we tried to call and were told they wouldn't accept it). Turns out the contract we signed does state this (that we need to give a month's notice period in writing). But this seems v unreasonable for a children's lesson, especially as I know for a fact they have long waiting lists of people ready to fill the slots (hence I was unable to move to a new time), so I can't see any way they would lose money.


Just wondering what happens if we don't send them payment, what can they/are they likely to do? Or should we just pay up? We could really do with the cash at the moment.


Thanks in advance for the advice

benjus

I appreciate that it's a bit of a pain when places ask for written cancellation - especially as many places are happy for people to sign up online. However, a few minutes to type something up or even just jot it down on a sheet of paper (I doubt it says it needs to be a perfectly formatted letter) plus less than £1 for a stamp isn't really that onerous.

Assuming that the contract is valid, you do owe them the subscription money until it is cancelled. What might they do about it? They might get a debt collection company on the case who will hassle you and write scary looking letters but ultimately have no special powers to do anything - the only thing they can do to force you to pay is to take you to court. If that happens and you lose you'll have to pay up (and you may have accrued some additional costs by then) or face serious consequences.