Should I tell the gym my direct debit has stopped?

Physicsfiend

to Labman20
sad - but you should have read the small print
it doesn't make this case right - it is theft!

tgroom57

Not theft at all.
All goes back to the definition of Direct Debit - that the company asks for money as and when it chooses. Usually a DD is for a fixed amount, usually at set intervals- but the idea of a DD is that it can be for varying amounts and can vary the timing (read the small print).
Reasonably, its up to the gym to request the payment on a DD, and if they haven't done so (I would reasonably assume) you owe them nothing.

Cimscate

I'm sure you know what you SHOULD do, whether you do it or not is between you and your conscience.

Revengant

Not to pay is fraud.... are you a thief?

If you're an honest person you would pay.

I'm not sure why this dim-witted question was asked as there's only one answer....

pennypinchUK

Well, simply by asking the question you know that you should tell the gym. But I suspect most people would follow the old maxim that if it's a big, corporate gym you'd not say anything and carry on going, but if it's a small, independent gym you'd tell them.

Personally, now I knew I wasn't paying for my membership I'd always feel guilty whenever I thought of going, or when I was there. I'd not enjoy the experience, so I'd tell them.

katmorr

The same happened to me so I can understand that you didn't miss the direct debit for such a long time. I confessed and paid the underpayments in full. The gym had appointed new auditors and already knew about the problem and were in the process of contacting everyone involved. They did offer for me to pay in instalments but I preferred to pay off the debt in full.

vic.star

It amazes me that people try to get out of paying for what they use. At the end of the day you signed a contract with the gym and agreed to pay for the service. I know it's a lot of money to pay, but if you had been paying this whole time it shouldn't make much of a difference. As others have said the gym should do regular checks on payments and they will realise and they will ask for the payment. It's not fair to carry on now you've realised this. There aren't enough honest people around any more, if it was you who was owed the money would you not chase it up? Karma ..

lardaholics_anonymous

Sounds like a genuine error on both parts, so it is really simple. Speak to them and negotiate a settlement with them. That way, they get paid some of what they would have got and you get several months of discounted membership and clean conscience. You have the strength in this negotiaion as they are unlikely to go through the hassle of taking you to court for 18 months of fees.

fatpiggy

Labman20 wrote: »

No, enjoy it while it lasts.
A big corporate Gym fleeced me for £600 for a total of 6 visits several years ago. Refused to let me out of the contract. Stuff em!
You make the most of it.

More fool you for not doing your homework before you signed up and for being too lazy to go and get some exercise.

fatpiggy

katmorr wrote: »

The same happened to me so I can understand that you didn't miss the direct debit for such a long time. I confessed and paid the underpayments in full. The gym had appointed new auditors and already knew about the problem and were in the process of contacting everyone involved. They did offer for me to pay in instalments but I preferred to pay off the debt in full.

It happened to me too. I paid up the £100 I owed straight away, we set up a new direct debit and they never took any payments again. I felt it was their own fault to do it not once but twice and left but didn't reimburse them this time. I'd done what I needed to to make payments and they didn't collect, so tough.