Cancel gym, does it affect credit?

MNM2903

Hi,


Me and my girlfriend got a joint membership for a gym with North county leisure part of BeAtive Newcastle.


We used it quite a bit but now due to other commitments we have been unable to go and tend to just do our own thing like running outdoor and fitness DVDs.


We need to cut costs and currently pay £60 per month for a gym we aren't using. I have emailed them to cancel I was just wondering as we signed a 12 month contract are we able to cancel this without fees? and does it affect your credit if we did?


These are the terms and conditions I found online.
http://www.northcountryleisure.org.uk/membership-terms-and-conditions


Thanks

Voyager2002

I haven't read the T and Cs but obviously if you agreed to pay for twelve months then that is what you need to do, unless they agree to release you from the contract (probably on payment of a lump sum). If you fail to make payments that you have agreed to pay then yes, that could affect your credit rating.

MNM2903

Seems a bit ridiculous that gyms have these contracts in place. I mean its not like ive borrowed money from them and im not using their facilities. I get I signed a contract but due to a change of circumstances its something we could do without. Ah well ive mailed them to see where I stand but thanks for your reply.

MNM2903

Never mind, I rang them and they said I can cancel at any point, panic over .

merlin68

Cancelling a gym is virtually impossible. I only managed to do it with a drs letter for health reasons. It tends to be a loan as i discovered they loan you the money and you pay it back monthly.

MNM2903

apparently not, no issues atall, they just cancelled it straight away and said they can do it before my next payment is due aswell.

Candyapple

I wouldn't be so sure......

6. All direct debits are a legally binding contract between us and the member and represents a commitment to pay all monthly membership fees due. A minimum of 30 days notice in writing is required to terminate the membership.

I'd make sure it was in writing as above and that you get a response that your membership truly is cancelled. As merlin stated, cancelling a gym when you have signed up for a year's contract is virtually impossible without doctor's note or a hefty fee to cover the remaining months.

macman

You seem to have a very cavalier attitude to what signing a minimum term contract means. If it was a 12m minimum term, then that is what is legally binding. To cancel early you would normally have to pay a fee equalling the remaining value of the contract.
The only grounds for terminating a contract early without penalty are death or bankruptcy. A 'change of circumstances' does not otherwise count. If you think the terms are 'ridiculous', then why did you agree the contract? The gym may offer to release you from the remaining term, but they certainly don't have to-that is purely an act of goodwill on their part.
Should you just cancel the DD early without their agreement, then it will most likely show up as a default on your credit record for the next six years.

Malmo

Under no circumstances cancel the Direct Debit until you have written confirmation that you have been released from the contract and no further payments or fees are due. Make sure that the membership is actually cancelled. Any misunderstanding could potentially result in a credit problem for you, which could be challenging to put right after the event. I've had my own personal experience of difficulties having my gym membership cancelled, so it is important to verify and confirm the cancellation.

andyfromotley

Gyms seem to keep their members in some sort of death grip similar to those large crocodiles you see on the telly snatching antelopes.