Please read terms of Gourmet Society Auto-Renewal

Rosesaremyfavourite

Firstly, I would like to say that I have used Moneysavingexpert for many years & it has helped me greatly - so a really big thank-you!

This is my first ever post. I felt very strongly that I wanted to warn Moneysavers to please be very careful regarding cancellation of membership of a Gourmet Society card.

I joined this last year for £1, didn't use the card because the eateries & time line for discounts did not work for me, and then made a huge error by forgetting I had this card. Membership was thereafter automatically renewed. I received no warning of this, although they did say that they had sent me a membership renewal mail-which they thought may have gone into my spam/junk folders. I asked their customer service to cancel my membership as soon as I was aware of this renewal (when money was debited from my bank account), which was before the end of the first subscription year, but they advised no.

Gourmet Society say that all members agree to automatic membership renewal and payment of yearly subscription fee at the point of initial registration, PLEASE do be aware of this, and cancel well in advance of expiration date if, like me, you have a card that you don't use.

:money:

bod1467

https://www.gourmetsociety.co.uk/cancelling_your_membership.php

Cancelling your membership

You can cancel your membership at any time, before your next payment is due by calling us on 0800 043 1978 and obtaining a cancellation code. We will be in contact at least 7 days before your next payment is due via email, or letter, to remind you that your upcoming payment will be due. At this point you will be able to cancel your upcoming renewal either online or by telephone before the payment is taken. Please note your payment date will be before your current membership card expires.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)

They do make it clear. Whether it's an unfair term though (not being able to cancel after payment is taken but before the new membership term starts) I'll let others consider.

Rosesaremyfavourite

Thanks for this Bod1467 – yes, as per my post, I completely agree that their terms need to be read & adhered to.

I’ve had a look at the Gourmet Society website terms page (gourmetsociety.co.uk/terms_and_conditions.php), which is slightly different, they state:
Renewed membership: If you do not wish to renew your membership you should telephone us on 0800 043 1978 or email us to obtain a cancellation reference, but at least 15 days before your current membership term ends. You must retain the cancellation reference as proof of cancellation. No refunds can be issued for any remaining membership term after payment has been taken for renewed memberships.

So I am assuming that a cancellation code must be sought at least fifteen days before your current membership term ends, by e-mail or phone? However, in reply to a cancellation request e-mail I sent to them, they advised me that "As per the Terms and Conditions, members are asked to telephone our offices before the billing date set out in your email... If you do not telephone us prior to this date to obtain your cancellation code, the membership is continued for a further 12 months at the discounted rate of £39.95, and you are automatically billed and sent a new twelve month membership pack accordingly".
This is different to what they say in their terms above - I think to be safe, and now with hindsight, I would call them well in advance of expiration date, and then send a confirmation of cancellation e-mail to them.

Also, unfortunately, as per your post:

'We will be in contact at least 7 days before your next payment is due via email, or letter, to remind you that your upcoming payment will be due'

Sorry, but in my experience this is incorrect – as per my post I did not receive a renewal e-mail. Gourmet Society advised me that it may have gone in my junk or spam folder, and sent me a reply saying, “I am sorry to hear that you did not receive your renewal reminder. I understand that you feel that this entitles you to a refund for your 2016/2017 subscription. The email to which you refer is simply a reminder to our members as their agreement to the ongoing membership and the authorisation for the yearly subscription fee is gained at the point of initial registration with the Gourmet Society prior to the transaction being completed”.

Looking at reviews on Trustpilot today, I can see that 43.2% reviews were 1 star rated – on Trustpilot this rating is for ‘Bad – unacceptable experience, unreasonable and rude conduct’, with many reviewers complaining about the cancellation process/automatic renewal.

Have just read the report by MSE news reporter Ben Salisbury entitled 'Tastecard members stung by £40 fee after auto-renewal – don't be caught out' (dated 2/2/16), similar problems with auto-renewal? Was very interesting - thank-you.

I would warn other moneysavingexpert members to read the terms carefully so that you fully understand the cancellation process, if you require it.

:money: