Gym Membership - Extreme change in circumstances

cmozz10

Hello all,

I'm having an issue with my gym membership. In May 2017, I signed a 12 month standard contract to pay by direct debit. However, in December 2017, my circumstances changed significantly in that I had to move over 56 miles away to another town at the last minute. I have checked with the gym, and they do not operate any branches even remotely close to the town I'm now in.

I've messaged them and explained the issue and the financial difficulties that it has brought, asking if I could be let out of the contract early due to these changes. I offered to provide them with all relevant evidence such as a proof of new address etc. But the response was quite blunt and rude, basically they don't care and I have to keep paying it.

I read through the small print and it only mentions leaving the contract early due to either pregnancy or extreme illness/disability. There is no mention of financial distress/server change in circumstances.

The company at hand is Parkwood Leisure, who manage the gym.

I've now cancelled the direct debit so they cannot take payment in January (I simply can't afford it, but even if I could I feel their treatment is harsh).

Has anyone dealt with this organisation before?

Do you think they are likely to take me to court over this, even with these circumstances?

Not sure whether I should call their bluff or not.

The other issue is that the reason behind me leaving the property was due to the end of a relationship, and I wouldn't want any debt collectors turning up at my ex-girlfriends house etc.

Any advice would be very useful!

Fosterdog

Get in touch with your bank straight away to reinstate the direct debit, cancelling the payment does not cancel your contract and can lead to additional charges, almost certainly debt collectors and the chance of court and a CCJ.

I understand that to you the circumstances are extreme, but to the gym they are not. You signed a contract and are bound by it, it was your choice to move away while still in contract. Your circumstances are nowhere near unique and if they gave you special treatment they’d have to do it for everyone.

What you see as harsh and rude treatment is not really, it is just being straight to the point, they are a business and are not there to hold your hand and tell you everything will be ok. They will stick to the hard and blunt facts while rightly keeping all emotion out of it.

spadoosh

If theyve said no, put simply, youre not getting out of it.

You can cancel the DD but that will just mean its outstanding. I cant imagine them not chasing. Its not going to be that expensive for them and im guessing they will be fairly confident they will win in court.

Before the next payment is due i would be making sure there arent any late payment fees etc that could make the amount owed increase as it clearly wont help. Check the contract to see if there are any fees. If there are i would reconsider cancelling the direct debit.

lincroft1710

Sorry, but can only agree with the previous 2 posters

ska_lover

I would pay it - five months of a gym membership Vs knackering your credit score


They are going to persue it, the only difference being that you will get court costs etc on top too


Im not saying its ideal mate but it is the only way to get out relatively unscathed

cmozz10

Ah. That's unfortunate to hear.

I suppose my overall question now would be what are the chances of them actually taking me to court if I just tell them to !!!! off - I don't live at the address they have. I understand that it could impact my credit rating but that would only be via a CCJ? Is it common for these gyms to take people to court?

And I wasn't looking for any 'hand holding' - I was explaining to them my situation on the off chance they had any kind of moral compass and would see that to them, cutting the membership short does nothing, but is a relief for myself.

unforeseen

They have been known to and since the paperwork will go to the last known address then you are liable to get a default CCJ if you haven't used mail redirection to ensure you get any correspondence

agrinnall

cmozz10 wrote: »

I suppose my overall question now would be what are the chances of them actually taking me to court if I just tell them to !!!! off - I don't live at the address they have.

So this really isn't a concern to you?

cmozz10 wrote: »

I wouldn't want any debt collectors turning up at my ex-girlfriends house etc.

Fosterdog

You are concerned about them not having any moral compass yet you are the one who wants to skip out on a debt and tell them to *!?# off?

Pot, kettle and black come to mind.

Roree_Tinkerbell

I would cancel the direct debit with the bank. My friend has done the exact same thing. Also would you mind telling me how to post a ‘New Post’ on here, (sorry to hijack your feed) I am a new member and cannot find the new post tab anywhere. Or navigate well? Thank you.

Diamandis

You seemed willing to continue with the membership if there was a gym near you so why not just pay and find a way to work out for free? Try running or use exercise YouTube videos.

I would really be paying this of I were you.