David Lloyd Membership Fee to increase 13.5%!

lovesreading

Hi there,

I have just had notice that my David Lloyd gym membership is going up 13.5% in January! This is way beyond inflation, is it not?

I have not tried to negotiate yet, but wondered what my rights were? Any ideas?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Isthisforreal99

What do the T&C's say?

p00hsticks

What are the T &Cs ?
Do you have the right to cancel before the increase is applied ?

Grumpy_chap

lovesreading said:

Hi there,

I have just had notice that my David Lloyd gym membership is going up 13.5% in January! This is way beyond inflation, is it not?

I have not tried to negotiate yet, but wondered what my rights were? Any ideas?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Are you within a fixed term contract, or are you able to serve notice and leave before the change comes into effect?

What was the increase last year?  Is this change a catch up?

What are the membership costs at other local gyms (offering similar facilities)?

MattMattMattUK

lovesreading said:

Hi there,

I have just had notice that my David Lloyd gym membership is going up 13.5% in January! This is way beyond inflation, is it not?

It is above inflation, but that is not really relevant. 

lovesreading said:

I have not tried to negotiate yet, but wondered what my rights were? Any ideas?

Thank you in advance everyone!

You can try, but from everything I have read on here they do not negotiate. You do not have any rights to not pay the increase if that is what you mean, they have written to you to inform you of the increase, you can leave if your minimum contract period has expired, or stay a member and pay the increased rate. Normally your options in these cases are to find another gym or put up with the price increase. 

user1977

lovesreading said:

I have just had notice that my David Lloyd gym membership is going up 13.5% in January! This is way beyond inflation, is it not?

It's above the average inflation rate, yes, but obviously some things are below the average and others are above. Do you think their rates are meant to track e.g. the RPI?

Aylesbury_Duck

Some things will increase in price by more than the rate of inflation, and some things by less.  Some won't increase in price at all, and some may even decrease in price.  That's the nature of the measure of inflation, it's an average of the change in cost of a number of things.  Unless your contract with them specifies that they won't increase their price by more than one of the recognised measures of inflation, or that it is capped at inflation+3% or something like that, then they're free to set their prices as they see fit and you are (probably) free to walk away and shop elswehere.

lovesreading

Thanks everyone! I'll have to dig out my T&Cs! I would imagine that they will let me leave if I want, it's usually 3 months notice, but it's possible, although I'd rather stay, so I will find my T&Cs and see what I can negotiate. Lots of valid points and questions thank you all!

Tree_pipe99

They usually have a 3 month cancellation policy, if you're outside of the initial 12 month contract.  

It's pretty much an unregulated industry, so don't expect rules like a broadband or mobile phone contracts that allow you to cancel without penalty if they increase prices above inflation. 

eskbanker

Tree_pipe99 said:

It's pretty much an unregulated industry, so don't expect rules like a broadband or mobile phone contracts that allow you to cancel without penalty if they increase prices above inflation. 

Surely a completely unregulated industry, just like mainstream retail and many other sectors?

TELLIT01

There has been a massive increase in business rates, with some companies bill increasing 4 fold or more.  Payrises for younger people are over 8% next year.

Presumably you have the option to cancel.