Fitness First insisting on charging for notice period despite notice being given while closed

geojay

I attempted to end my Fitness First membership during lockdown, on 25th June by sending a direct message on Twitter. Given that they weren't answering phone calls and the gym (and the building containing the gym) was closed, this seemed like a reasonable approach. They aren't arguing that I didn't give notice on that date but are saying "We do always require 1 months paid notice for a cancellation" and are thus asking for a month's payment. If they accept I gave my notice on 25th June, surely it's unreasonable to insist on a month's charge when they didn't start charging again until August?

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in anticipation...

unholyangel

What does your contract say about cancellation? Do they accept dm's on Twitter? I'd be surprised if that's the case. 

I was initially thinking you were having same issue as others....cancelled in line with your contract and gym are trying to displace their liability for closures onto you but it sounds like this might be different and perhaps you haven't cancelled the contract in a valid way. 

dodgy_damo

Geojay- I cancelled with DW fitness first on 12th June 2020- I wrote to my home gym (used relevant email address) and cut n pasted this from their website:

"You can ask to cancel your membership and give us notice by providing your membership details: in person at your home club; by calling 0208 618 3100; or by completing the ‘contact us’ form on our website at www.dwfitnessfirst.com/faq/. We will send or give you confirmation once we have processed your cancellation. This could be by email, letter or a receipt from the club, depending on how you tell us you want to cancel your membership. Please tell us if you do not receive this. You are responsible for cancelling your direct debit once we have processed your cancellation and any payments relating to notice periods have been taken. We are entitled to keep any membership fees we receive if you have not cancelled your direct debit instruction with your bank and you have not given us valid notice to cancel your membership."

I added: 

To whom it may concern,

I would like to cancel my DW Fitness First membership no: *******. Unfortunately the contact us option on the website is unavailable. My home Club is ****** (London) and I have emailed my home club's account. I will cancel my direct debit as requested.

Regards....

I then cancelled DD, received generic reply and that was that. I did receive re-opening emails , etc. But they have now died out. My main reason was that i moved jobs during pandemic (key worker) & DWFF was no longer a convenient option. I have now joined another chain that is more convenient and a lot cheaper.