Gym membership

kl2johnson

Hi all
Last August I tied myself into a 12 month gym membership. 
At the start of COVID when the gym closed, they made the decision to stop all payments (wasn't consulted, it just happened).
I emailed and asked when my membership was due to terminate and they said December 2020. So they have taken the 4 months the gym was closed and tagged this time onto the end of my contract. 
Are they allowed to do this? I can get the same gym membership half price through my work, so don't want to be stuck paying more than I need to for the next 4 months. 
Thanks

bradders1983

Would you have preferred to have continued to be charged for a gym that was closed?

Genuine question.

User_101122

Check your T&C's you will most likely be contracted to pay 12 months membership payments. If not and it's a case of you're contracted to be a member for 12 months I'd argue the case with them.
On a positive note it you've not paid during lockdown you're no worse off financially.

elsien

They have paused your membership for the duration of the lockdown. So effectively you are still in your 12 months contact. 
As pretty much all the gym chains seem to be doing this, then I would guess it is legitimate although you might want to scrutinise your terms and conditions.
However if we hadn't had covid you'd have paid the same amount of money for your 12 month contract by now anyway, so you're not any worse off than if covid had never happened. 

sweetsand

Phone them and tell them. Possibly negotiate if they say no and settle for less than 100% refund if required as better than nothing IMO.

Time2Go_25

bradders1983 said:

Would you have preferred to have continued to be charged for a gym that was closed?

Genuine question.

Looks like you've been reported again, does it just happen when you reply to questions about gym memberships !!

jossdennis

I cancelled my DD in May and got the below message in an email back. It clearly implies that I could (if i chose to) reactivate my membership, I take that as meaning my membership was inactivated in May yet they have now demanded a payment.

You can reactivate your membership by simply visiting  your member portal through the Bannatyne App or through the website. Once you're logged in, visit the 'Manage Account' section and follow the steps!

[Deleted User]

If you cancelled your payments without cancelling your membership, it's unsurprising they're demanding payment.

Never just stop payments as a way of ending a contract.