Issues cancelling Village Gym membership

soifhds464

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post. I'm looking for advice as I'm having issues cancelling my membership with the Village Gym. I have been a member for over 2 years but circumstances have changed so I no longer use the gym. I have a 30 day contract so in theory I should be able to cancel by providing 30 days notice. Their website says to email memberservices@village-hotels.com to cancel.
This is where my issue lies, I have emailed this email address multiple times for nearly 2 months and haven't received a single response, yet they are still taking money from my account. Every method I've tried to contact them is just getting ignored and it feels like I've hit a complete brick wall.
I've seen comments on social media and review sites that suggest many other people are having similar issues. It seems that even going into the gym to speak to staff is not helping as they refuse to deal with the issue and phone calls do not get answered. Some of them have cancelled direct debits and are being threatened with debt collection but are unable to get in contact to settle the payments.
I guess my question is; how do you cancel a gym membership when the company refuse to correspond at all? I don't want to just cancel the direct debit and have a bad mark on my credit file or get chased for debt but I'm out of ideas?

bradders1983

You have proof you tried to cancel. Twice. Cancel the Direct Debit.  In the event they decide to take you to court produce a) the contract (or the terms off their website, perhaps take screenshots NOW), and b) the emails, and you will win.

Gym memberships I suspect are not reported to credit reference agencies.  If they win a CCJ against you then that is reported, but from what you typed they dont have a leg to stand on.

If anything, THEY owe YOU money...speak to your bank about pulling back all but one of the Direct Debits they took after you sent the first email, and show them the contract and the email you sent if they question this.

pjcox2005

I would also try actually going into the gym in person to speak to someone and cancel. Express displeasure at being ignored by e-mail. I wouldn't personally just take social media site users words that nothing could be done without trying myself - they may for example be in a full 12 month contract and not shared that element.

parking_question_chap

If you have followed their terms then I think you can cancel the debit. They dont need to give you permission as long as you adhere to the terms set out in your contract. If they start getting shirty threatening you then take to social media and use your facts to shame them. Bad press is all many complanies respond to now. They can simply ignore complaints unless they are in the public domain.

anxiousnow

Their member services are overstretched and under-resourced. I recommended a friend and the subsequent amendment to my contract took two months to go through! If they have overcharged you though, they will likely reimburse you backdated to the date you were able to leave. Maybe ask at your gym, see what they suggest. Alternatively just cancel the DD.