Where do I Stand?

fedupofwork

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this problem?

I've been a member of a gym since 2005. When I originally joined I signed up to pay monthly membership by Standing Order. The gym has recently been taken over by another company and I've just noticed that they have set up a Direct Debit with my bank.

I'm not happy about this as I'm sure thay should ask me or at least inform me that this is going to happen. As far as I'm aware, a SO and a DD are two different financial agreements and just because I gave them my bank details for a SO doesn't mean it gives them permission to set up a DD. Am I correct?

I've tried ringing several times and have only managed to speak to the manager who didn't know anything about it and agreed with me that a SO and DD are two different agreements. He said he'd get the owner to call me back - guess what he didn't! I work in the day and only go in the evenings and then the owner isn't about either. :mad:

No money has been taken from my account as yet as this months payment came out yesterday on the SO. Should I just cancel my DD so that they HAVE to get in touch with me or am I whinging about nothing?

Any advice appreciated.

dmg24

If you cancel your DD you may end up incurring late payment charges.

If the owner is never available, perhaps you could put your concerns in writing? x

Freddie_Snowbits

You have three choices.

1 .Stand in the corner with a Hat on.

2. Ask yourself, how many times a month do I use it, i.e. Is it just a fashion accessory!

3. Did they really not tell you?

After that and you realise it was a rip off, cancel said DD and SO, get a bike, cycle everywhere and you could go to the pub as well!

hollydays

If the gym is a chain-have you tried searching their name on this board?

fedupofwork

Thanks for the replies.

Freddie I do actually use the gym!

If I cancelled the DD my argument would be that I hadn't agreed to it in the first place. I think I'll have to write to them. I just wanted to make sure that I'm right about my theory that I should have been informed before the DD was set up.

Thanks hollydays but the gym isn't a chain - I've tried searching.

smcaul

DD are variable by the company collecting - i.e. the gym, SO are set to a certain amount by you the account holder - SO are safer for the consumer as they give you more control.

KILL_BILL

they should have written to you as a matter of courtesy to advise that they had been taken over and also that they were now changing the way that they would collect the montly payments- thats how a "professional" company act towards its customers.

sounds a bit suss if the manager doesnt know how payements are made, iressepctive that he/she may not do crecit control for the business.

maninthestreet

Cancel the DD, leave the SO in place. Write to the gym explaining what you have done.

Sssssss

if the new owner can't be ars* ed to call you then, cancel everything and tell them to stick it!

RadoJo

Is the original SO still in place? I would be very surprised if they could cancel an SO originating from your account, so check that you don't have two payments due to come out of the account. I would also contact your bank and ask them why they accepted a direct debit without consulting you - surely they can't just let anyone with your bank account number set up a direct debit?

maninthestreet

RadoJo wrote: »

Is the original SO still in place? I would be very surprised if they could cancel an SO originating from your account, so check that you don't have two payments due to come out of the account. I would also contact your bank and ask them why they accepted a direct debit without consulting you - surely they can't just let anyone with your bank account number set up a direct debit?

It happened to Jeremy Clarkson a few weeks ago, after he published his bank account details in a newpaper.