Problems with a personal trainer

PeterK101

Hi my dudes.

To cut a long story short, I paid £450 for a dozen or so sessions with a personal trainer near my house. He works at an independent gym and I'm not sure what the relationship is here. The gym advertise him on their website, but from what I can tell, my PT "hires" the gym space, rather than being an actual employee of the gym.

He was super flakey to start with, cancelling a lot of sessions, but I called him out on this, he apologised and improved. However, I have just renewed with him for another £450, paid by bank transfer direct to his account. Since paying the money he's had myriad excuses for the last two weeks why we can't make any sessions. Deciding enough was enough, I told him to refund my money and I'd pick up with him again when he got his life sorted. His response to this was he couldn't refund me because he'd already spent the money.

So I don't know where I stand and I'm getting worried he's going to disappear with my money. I only know his name and mobile number, not his address or anything like that so I'm not sure taking him to court personally is possible. I could threaten legal action against the gym, but if he is only renting space there and is not directly employed by them, I don't suppose I'd have much luck there either?

Does anyone know where I stand?

Aylesbury_Duck

PeterK101 wrote: »

Hi my dudes.

To cut a long story short, I paid £450 for a dozen or so sessions with a personal trainer near my house. He works at an independent gym and I'm not sure what the relationship is here. The gym advertise him on their website, but from what I can tell, my PT "hires" the gym space, rather than being an actual employee of the gym.

He was super flakey to start with, cancelling a lot of sessions, but I called him out on this, he apologised and improved. However, I have just renewed with him for another £450, paid by bank transfer direct to his account. Since paying the money he's had myriad excuses for the last two weeks why we can't make any sessions. Deciding enough was enough, I told him to refund my money and I'd pick up with him again when he got his life sorted. His response to this was he couldn't refund me because he'd already spent the money.

So I don't know where I stand and I'm getting worried he's going to disappear with my money. I only know his name and mobile number, not his address or anything like that so I'm not sure taking him to court personally is possible. I could threaten legal action against the gym, but if he is only renting space there and is not directly employed by them, I don't suppose I'd have much luck there either?

Does anyone know where I stand?

You stand in a tricky position. You've handed over another £450 to someone you acknowledge was unreliable with the first £450. You've given £900 to someone who you only know by name and mobile number. Normally I'd say to send a LBA asking for the service paid for or you will sue for the money but without an address you're stuck. Obtain that address and send a letter. I don't think you'll get anywhere going through the gym since you don't have a contract with them.

Oh, can you send me £450 please? My name's Aylesbury Duck and you can contact me on here.

spadoosh

The proper way is to find out where he lives and issue a letter before action.

Id be looking at his social media profiles and indicating my frustrations through that (he will no doubt have a facebook page as a PT, that will no doubt be linked to his personal account if its not directly from it, which will no doubt advertise what he does). You might find that the gym also has something similar.

Whilst your contract isnt with the Gym they arent going to be happy that users of the gym are being let down, it will inevitably tar them too. Again a few well placed complaints could see the gym take action , not so much in getting you your money back but stop himn from doing business there.

I should add that depending on how you go about this you could risk harrassment charges being made against you, so be factual and try not to go OTT.