Gym debt arc europe

pastatheboat12

Hi, I joined a gym, and you have to give 3 months notice before you quit, so I quit the membership and didn't go during that 3 month period. Obviously it adds up, and I now have 126 pounds to pay in debt for the 3 months, and I have been contacted by Arc Europe and told that if they don't receive the payment within 10 days, they will pass it on to their solicitors with instructions for court proceedings. 

I was wondering how legit this proposal is and whether they are just trying to scare me into paying the debt and if they would really take me to court over a mere 120 pounds. I'm not opposed to paying the debt; I understand it's my mistake, but I was wondering if anyone has been in this same situation and not paid the debt, and if you carry on ignoring it, it just goes away. 

Thanks! 

Brie

Did they say "solicitors" or did they say "legal team"?  Lots of places have a team that deals with legal issues but aren't trained solicitors and usually they will go through a series of threatening letters to scare you into paying.  

And no, it's highly unlikely it will go to court - that will cost them too much and they'll probably need a proper solicitor to do the paperwork and that will cost them much more.

Eventually it may go away, but that will be after it's sold on to a collection agency or similar.

You say that you are not opposed to paying.  You could simply start paying them a small amount per month, say £1, or ask for a full and final offer to clear it.  They may be satisfied with £80 or similar?  Might be worth a shot.  

DE_612183

Money Claim online for up to £300 is £35 - if you don't defend and don't pay you'll get a CCJ.

Obviously the appetite for action depends on the gym and how often they have to go down this route.

If they a re a big one PureGym, David Lloyd etc - they are probably more used to dealing with these cases, if it's a smaller one site operation less so.

If I was you - I'd make an offer as full and final settlement - say £30-£50 and see what they do.

pastatheboat12

Brie said:

Did they say "solicitors" or did they say "legal team"?  Lots of places have a team that deals with legal issues but aren't trained solicitors and usually they will go through a series of threatening letters to scare you into paying.  

And no, it's highly unlikely it will go to court - that will cost them too much and they'll probably need a proper solicitor to do the paperwork and that will cost them much more.

Eventually it may go away, but that will be after it's sold on to a collection agency or similar.

You say that you are not opposed to paying.  You could simply start paying them a small amount per month, say £1, or ask for a full and final offer to clear it.  They may be satisfied with £80 or similar?  Might be worth a shot.  

'If we don't hear from you within the next 10 days and the amount remains unpaid our next written contact will be to advise you that your account will be passed to our solicitors, with instructions to prepare court proceedings. To stop this from happening please contact us now' that's the final piece in the email they sent. 

Grumpelstiltskin

Well wait until you get a letter before action through the post, they have to contact you by snail mail , you can ignore E Mails etc.

If you do get a letter before action come back for further advice.

sourcrates

A lot of the time, its just empty threats, but some gyms do follow through with it.

Unfortunately there is no way to determine what action will be taken.

Do ARC mention "their client" at all? its likely they don`t own the debt, but could take action on behalf of the client if they so wish.

pastatheboat12

pastatheboat12 said:

Hi, I joined a gym, and you have to give 3 months notice before you quit, so I quit the membership and didn't go during that 3 month period. Obviously it adds up, and I now have 126 pounds to pay in debt for the 3 months, and I have been contacted by Arc Europe and told that if they don't receive the payment within 10 days, they will pass it on to their solicitors with instructions for court proceedings. 

I was wondering how legit this proposal is and whether they are just trying to scare me into paying the debt and if they would really take me to court over a mere 120 pounds. I'm not opposed to paying the debt; I understand it's my mistake, but I was wondering if anyone has been in this same situation and not paid the debt, and if you carry on ignoring it, it just goes away. 

Thanks! 

To anyone that may come across this post i contacted Arc Europe and explained I'm a student and gave proof of the 3 month notice which can be changed to 1 month if you move away for university upon proof which I couldn't provide at the time. I proposed a final settlement of 50 pounds and they got back to me today and took 42 off the original 126 so it's 84 pounds now, which isn't amazing but it's saved me 42 pounds i suppose. 

DE_612183

pastatheboat12 said:

pastatheboat12 said:

Hi, I joined a gym, and you have to give 3 months notice before you quit, so I quit the membership and didn't go during that 3 month period. Obviously it adds up, and I now have 126 pounds to pay in debt for the 3 months, and I have been contacted by Arc Europe and told that if they don't receive the payment within 10 days, they will pass it on to their solicitors with instructions for court proceedings. 

I was wondering how legit this proposal is and whether they are just trying to scare me into paying the debt and if they would really take me to court over a mere 120 pounds. I'm not opposed to paying the debt; I understand it's my mistake, but I was wondering if anyone has been in this same situation and not paid the debt, and if you carry on ignoring it, it just goes away. 

Thanks! 

To anyone that may come across this post i contacted Arc Europe and explained I'm a student and gave proof of the 3 month notice which can be changed to 1 month if you move away for university upon proof which I couldn't provide at the time. I proposed a final settlement of 50 pounds and they got back to me today and took 42 off the original 126 so it's 84 pounds now, which isn't amazing but it's saved me 42 pounds i suppose. 

Ask them to split the difference 50-84 = 67

They can only say no....