Gym membership cancellation

Dondon0311

Advice needed regarding what rights I have to cancel a gym membership. Three weeks ago I subscribed to a local gym. I signed up for a year long contract as I knew I would use it and it was a much cheaper option. I did explain to the manager upon signing that it was purely the classes available that I was interested in and not the gym itself and I asked if it was easy enough to get booked into the classes and he replied that you could book in up to a week in advance so it should not be a problem. However since joining I have only been successful in booking myself onto one class as every time I ring to book I am told that the class is fully booked and that my name will be put on the waiting list even though I am ringing a week in advance! I did say this to them the last time I rang and I was told that they are open at 6am and I should ring up at 6am on the week before the class is on to book in! I feel that I am now in a situation where I am stuck paying for a membership for a year that is not suitable for the reason I purchased it! Do I have a justified reason to try and cancel this membership and what are my rights?

Gloomendoom

You might get a better response if you re-post on the Consumer Rights board.

BTW My ex-wife had the same problem with a local council run gym. The classes were always fully booked. It turned out that that people were booking en masse at the desk for the following week's class when they turned up for the current week. Telephone bookings didn't get a look in. She created a bit of a stink and managed to get the booking system changed.

jenniewb

I'm not sure if it's enough to cancel the membership, however you could try contacting the manager or whomever is in charge and letting them know of your experience and that you are unable to book on to any of the classes you wanted to and that you only joined the gym to do the classes.


It is then up to them to put up more classes so you get a chance to sign up or to explain what they are going to do to change things. It may end up being a goodwill gesture that the membership is cancelled so rather than take an angry stance, try to get them to see things from your point of view and ask them how they think they would feel if they were in your position.

haras_nosirrah

Do they have online booking at all?

We have this problem some times but with the crèche at the gym (all slots gone by 6:03 for the following week and that means can't get into classes) just means have to be primed and ready to book online for 5:59 or go on the waiting list for the inevitable drop outs

Maybe suggest that online booking is the way to go if this is not currently an option

FBaby

Is this DL? If so, do you have their app to book online? If so, set your alarm clock for 8pm 8 days before, and book right away. A bit desperate but it works. Also, do you actually bother to go on the day? Unfortunately, there are many people who book automatically and don't show up. Sometimes, the class can end up only half full despite being full booked on the first day of booking. People are supposed to be told off, but not sure they really actually do anything about it.

Dondon0311

I have emailed the manager explaining my situation and I am awaiting a reply, though I'm not feeling too optimistic!

Dondon0311

The only way of booking online is via Facebook which I don't use.

Dondon0311

I don't actually turn up on the off chance on the day as I need to sort out childcare to attend the class and wouldn't really want to travel there to find out I can't get into the class . Just feel like I've been sold something that is not fit for the purpose in which I bought it!

haras_nosirrah

Cant you just set up a basic facebook account for the purpose of booking online. You dont have to put a profile picture or befriend anyone.

May mean you can get into classes