How to throw away £20 in less than an hour

Macscom

I visited the Littledown Sports Centre (part of the BH Active Group) with the intention of subscribing to a monthly membership. 
As I wasn't sure if I liked the centre or its facilities (on an ongoing basis) I opted for a monthly payment scheme.
First looking at the available options there was one facility I was interested in, which was included the yearly membership (of the same criteria) and I assumed it was included in the monthly membership plan.
After signing up, and paying the money I questioned the options and found the facility of interest was not included in the plan. 
I proceeded to cancel the plan immediately (within 20 min of activation) with co-operation of the centre manager.
I later found out that the £20 joining fee was non-refundable, and therefore will not be refunded.
I did not use use the facilities or enter through the barrier of the centre, only in the foyer.
I feel I have been treated unfairly. 

elsien

Did you check the cancellation terms and conditions before you signed? If only one aspect was important to you, it would have made sense to check it was included first before signing, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. So what written information were you given about the plans in making your decision, and was it accurate? 

Macscom

I wasn't given any written information.

Macscom

I wouldn't have minded paying the £20 fee if I had continued the membership past the 14 day cooling off period for the contract or even made use of the facilities, but to be charged because you changed your mind within an hour of signing up I find a tad unfair.

Pollycat

Macscom said:

I wasn't given any written information.

But did you ask if the specific facility you were interested in was included in the monthly payment scheme?

Macscom

Pollycat said:

Macscom said:

I wasn't given any written information.

But did you ask if the specific facility you were interested in was included in the monthly payment scheme?

I have provided the information, any attempt to troll or divert the conversation will be ignored.

Pollycat

Macscom said:

Pollycat said:

Macscom said:

I wasn't given any written information.

But did you ask if the specific facility you were interested in was included in the monthly payment scheme?

I have provided the information, any attempt to troll or divert the conversation will be ignored.

Ah yes.
Re-reading your original post, you only asked AFTER you'd signed up. 

Macscom said:

I visited the Littledown Sports Centre (part of the BH Active Group) with the intention of subscribing to a monthly membership. 
As I wasn't sure if I liked the centre or its facilities (on an ongoing basis) I opted for a monthly payment scheme.
First looking at the available options there was one facility I was interested in, which was included the yearly membership (of the same criteria) and I assumed it was included in the monthly membership plan.
After signing up, and paying the money I questioned the options and found the facility of interest was not included in the plan. 
I proceeded to cancel the plan immediately (within 20 min of activation) with co-operation of the centre manager.
I later found out that the £20 joining fee was non-refundable, and therefore will not be refunded.
I did not use use the facilities or enter through the barrier of the centre, only in the foyer.
I feel I have been treated unfairly. 

NCC1701-A

Macscom said:

I visited the Littledown Sports Centre (part of the BH Active Group) with the intention of subscribing to a monthly membership. 
As I wasn't sure if I liked the centre or its facilities (on an ongoing basis) I opted for a monthly payment scheme.
First looking at the available options there was one facility I was interested in, which was included the yearly membership (of the same criteria) and I assumed it was included in the monthly membership plan.
After signing up, and paying the money I questioned the options and found the facility of interest was not included in the plan. 
I proceeded to cancel the plan immediately (within 20 min of activation) with co-operation of the centre manager.
I later found out that the £20 joining fee was non-refundable, and therefore will not be refunded.
I did not use use the facilities or enter through the barrier of the centre, only in the foyer.
I feel I have been treated unfairly. 

How is it unfair if you didn't check what was included/ not included?

Macscom

The issue is not of personal culpability or the options I have made, quite frankly find your assertion offensive, the issue is of unfair contract terms.  I would have assumed that the 14 day cooling off period would have included the joining fee. 

tripled

There is no statutory cooling off period or cancellation rights when signing up on-site, they only apply to distance contracts. A contract just has to be fair.

You think it is unfair that the gym did not refund the joining fee given you didn't use the facilities. The gym probably thinks that £20 is fair to cover the costs of staff time in signing you up, the payment processing fee they would have incurred, and then more staff time spent cancelling your membership and processing a refund.

Neither you nor the gym have covered yourself in glory here. You clearly made a number of incorrect assumptions, however, from the sounds of it, the gym could have provided you with clearer information upfront.

You could try writing them a complaint and asking them to refund the joining fee. If they do not, there is no realistic recourse.

Pollycat

I am almost hesitant to respond to your thread as you do come across as somewhat aggressive but I'm not sure of the purpose of your thread.
Are you looking for advice on consumer rights?

If you are this board may be more appropriate:
Consumer rights — MoneySavingExpert Forum

If you are just wanting to vent about losing £20.00, this board may be more appropriate:
Praise, vent & warnings — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Good luck with whatever you are wanting to achieve,