Closed gym freeze fee

Aylesbury_Duck

Potbellypig said:

I don't buy the 'pay us this if you want us to be here when this is all over' rubbish. If it's not there, it's not there. For most pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting facilities etc etc, there will be others that either take over or other options. If you're buying in because you want to, or you feel some sort of emotional connection to the place then crack on, but spouting the we need money and it's on you to keep us afloat bile is a load of rubbish.

There must be something that led OP to choose to pay a pretty high monthly rate to this gym rather than the many others they say are available. 

Tammykitty

Potbellypig said:

I don't buy the 'pay us this if you want us to be here when this is all over' rubbish. If it's not there, it's not there. For most pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting facilities etc etc, there will be others that either take over or other options. If you're buying in because you want to, or you feel some sort of emotional connection to the place then crack on, but spouting the we need money and it's on you to keep us afloat bile is a load of rubbish.

Completely agree - although rural pubs, sports clubs etc which aren't overly profitable, probably won't be there when its all over without support, but these places generally have people with emotional connections who are willing to pay (i support my local pub as it does takeaways at weekends, which i don't particularly need, but its good for the pub and not overly expensive)

No closed business should have membership fees, they could suggest members donate, but not mandate it

some people have gone from living on £500 odd a week, to £95 on Universal credit, they can't afford to put food on the table never mind pay fees for a closed a gym!

unholyangel

Where a consumer receives regular services in exchange for a regular payment as part of an ongoing contract, the CMA considers that:

• consumers will normally be entitled to a refund for any services they have already paid for but that are not provided by the business or which the consumer is not allowed to use because of lockdown laws (this may be a partial refund of the total amount the consumer has already paid, to reflect the value of the services already provided)

• consumers will normally be entitled to withhold payment for services that are not provided by the business or which the consumer is not allowed to use because of lockdown laws

• a business may be able to require the consumer to make a small contribution to its costs until the provision of the service is resumed, but only where the contract terms set this out clearly and fairly and the consumer is free to end the contract if they do not wish to pay these fees

Consumers should be treated fairly by businesses, and not misled about their rights. The CMA is unlikely to object to the parties seeking to reach an arrangement that is mutually acceptable in the circumstances, provided that consumers are not left in a worse position where they have sought to find a resolution in this way.

Under the heading "ongoing contracts" 

Niv

Potbellypig said:

I don't buy the 'pay us this if you want us to be here when this is all over' rubbish. If it's not there, it's not there. For most pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting facilities etc etc, there will be others that either take over or other options. If you're buying in because you want to, or you feel some sort of emotional connection to the place then crack on, but spouting the we need money and it's on you to keep us afloat bile is a load of rubbish.

I think this may depend where you live. It certainly is not the case where I live, there is one pub, if it were to close there would be zero pubs so to help keep them afloat I will occasionally buy a takeaway from them for example. So 'support us if you want us to be here when this is over' is not 'rubbish'. 

Potbellypig

Niv said:

Potbellypig said:

I don't buy the 'pay us this if you want us to be here when this is all over' rubbish. If it's not there, it's not there. For most pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting facilities etc etc, there will be others that either take over or other options. If you're buying in because you want to, or you feel some sort of emotional connection to the place then crack on, but spouting the we need money and it's on you to keep us afloat bile is a load of rubbish.

I think this may depend where you live. It certainly is not the case where I live, there is one pub, if it were to close there would be zero pubs so to help keep them afloat I will occasionally buy a takeaway from them for example. So 'support us if you want us to be here when this is over' is not 'rubbish'. 

Nothing you posted corresponded to what I actually said. You're paying for a complete service from the pub. They are cooking your food and you are a paying customer, just like you would if the pub was open. If the pub was asking for the money and not cooking you food then they would fall under the 'support us if you want us to be here when this is over' rubbish. 

Niv

Potbellypig said:

Niv said:

Potbellypig said:

I don't buy the 'pay us this if you want us to be here when this is all over' rubbish. If it's not there, it's not there. For most pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting facilities etc etc, there will be others that either take over or other options. If you're buying in because you want to, or you feel some sort of emotional connection to the place then crack on, but spouting the we need money and it's on you to keep us afloat bile is a load of rubbish.

I think this may depend where you live. It certainly is not the case where I live, there is one pub, if it were to close there would be zero pubs so to help keep them afloat I will occasionally buy a takeaway from them for example. So 'support us if you want us to be here when this is over' is not 'rubbish'. 

Nothing you posted corresponded to what I actually said. You're paying for a complete service from the pub. They are cooking your food and you are a paying customer, just like you would if the pub was open. If the pub was asking for the money and not cooking you food then they would fall under the 'support us if you want us to be here when this is over' rubbish. 

Ok fair enough, I will clarify; I am only buying a takeaway from the pub to support them during this time. I would not normally buy takeaway from the pub, however I get your point regarding the fact I receive a physical item rather than just giving some money to keep the establishment there for the future. I will use another example that may fit your criteria better; I also paid a portion (considerably more than a fiver a month!) to maintain my childs nursery place because I want to support them as again I want the service to still be there when I need it. I had the option to formally remove them from the nursery but would have no guarantee that I would get a space when I needed it again.

rlondon22

Aylesbury_Duck said:

rlondon22 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Whether it's legal depends on the terms of the contract, but I think you should consider the situation holistically.  £5 per month when the normal monthly rate is £50 seems a reasonable charge if it provides cashflow that keeps the business afloat.  If you want the gym to be open when the restrictions are lifted, it might be prudent for you and others to keep paying the small fee.  Otherwise you save yourself £5 a month and find it closes and the next nearest gym starts charging £60 a month after lockdown.

I have a similar situation with a sports club membership, where I and others are continuing to pay our normal monthly subscriptions and are getting credit back which we can use for booking fees and at the bar.  It's a nice compromise and with sufficient members complying, keeps the club afloat so we can use it after lockdown.

Yours sounds like a really fair deal. We get absolutely nothing back and I find it offensive that we’re told we have to pay the £5 or full monthly fees. Another gym I saw gave the option to pay a nominal amount each month to help keep the gym afloat. 

To be honest my local area is totally saturated with gyms so competition is rife 

Offensive is a bit strong, but there you go.  If there's plenty of competition you don't mind moving to, then stop paying and see what they do.  They're unlikely to pursue you for what will probably be no more than £15.

True, offensive was a bit strong but it is frustrating! I think I’d have to pay a month’s notice anyway 

phillw

rlondon22 said:
True, offensive was a bit strong but it is frustrating! I think I’d have to pay a month’s notice anyway 

I would go with "outrageous" rather than "offensive".
As they are forcing you to cancel to avoid their fees then I would certainly push to avoid having to give notice as presumably they didn't give you notice of these fees.
Whether you'll get anywhere comes down to how you complain and what type of person deals with it.

unholyangel

rlondon22 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

rlondon22 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Whether it's legal depends on the terms of the contract, but I think you should consider the situation holistically.  £5 per month when the normal monthly rate is £50 seems a reasonable charge if it provides cashflow that keeps the business afloat.  If you want the gym to be open when the restrictions are lifted, it might be prudent for you and others to keep paying the small fee.  Otherwise you save yourself £5 a month and find it closes and the next nearest gym starts charging £60 a month after lockdown.

I have a similar situation with a sports club membership, where I and others are continuing to pay our normal monthly subscriptions and are getting credit back which we can use for booking fees and at the bar.  It's a nice compromise and with sufficient members complying, keeps the club afloat so we can use it after lockdown.

Yours sounds like a really fair deal. We get absolutely nothing back and I find it offensive that we’re told we have to pay the £5 or full monthly fees. Another gym I saw gave the option to pay a nominal amount each month to help keep the gym afloat. 

To be honest my local area is totally saturated with gyms so competition is rife 

Offensive is a bit strong, but there you go.  If there's plenty of competition you don't mind moving to, then stop paying and see what they do.  They're unlikely to pursue you for what will probably be no more than £15.

True, offensive was a bit strong but it is frustrating! I think I’d have to pay a month’s notice anyway 

Only if they're open and able to perform their side of the contract. 

rlondon22

unholyangel said:

rlondon22 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

rlondon22 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Whether it's legal depends on the terms of the contract, but I think you should consider the situation holistically.  £5 per month when the normal monthly rate is £50 seems a reasonable charge if it provides cashflow that keeps the business afloat.  If you want the gym to be open when the restrictions are lifted, it might be prudent for you and others to keep paying the small fee.  Otherwise you save yourself £5 a month and find it closes and the next nearest gym starts charging £60 a month after lockdown.

I have a similar situation with a sports club membership, where I and others are continuing to pay our normal monthly subscriptions and are getting credit back which we can use for booking fees and at the bar.  It's a nice compromise and with sufficient members complying, keeps the club afloat so we can use it after lockdown.

Yours sounds like a really fair deal. We get absolutely nothing back and I find it offensive that we’re told we have to pay the £5 or full monthly fees. Another gym I saw gave the option to pay a nominal amount each month to help keep the gym afloat. 

To be honest my local area is totally saturated with gyms so competition is rife 

Offensive is a bit strong, but there you go.  If there's plenty of competition you don't mind moving to, then stop paying and see what they do.  They're unlikely to pursue you for what will probably be no more than £15.

True, offensive was a bit strong but it is frustrating! I think I’d have to pay a month’s notice anyway 

Only if they're open and able to perform their side of the contract. 

Oh that’s interesting! Do notice periods not apply if a company is closed? Sorry for all the questions, I’m very ill informed about contract related matters!