My son joined a Gym, like most used it a few times and never went again.Having signed for the year, 18 months later just after paying the Direct debit he canceled the direct debit and inform the gym he was to finnish his membership. having just paid and not used the gym he was in credit -yes? They have hounded him for money because he has to give a full months notice. I asked them what they actualy needed the money for as he is obviously not using the gym - they could not answer. What are your views?
2006-09-07 02:02:56 · 5 answers · asked by philipscottbrooks 5 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
I had the same thing except they demanded a further 7 months payments from my son as he had only been going (very little) for 5 months. Cancelled the direct debit and whoosh. letters debt collectors, after numerous letters and e-mails to FITNESS FIRST I got pushed from pillar to post to no satisfactory outcome. I e-mailed the Office of Fair Trading and they have a guidance on unfair terms and conditions of private gym clubs - worth a look at - OFT asked me to forward a copy of the contract but unfortunately my son no longer had his copy, I requested one from the club and am still waiting.. His contract was mis-sold and I know there are plenty of others as they do target the younger generation who do not ask for details. Do go the the OFT site.
2006-09-07 02:10:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a typical ploy by all gyms. I work out of the country and am only home a month at a time, I have a gym where I work and work out. It took me numerous visits to numerous gyms to find one that I could pay a monthly membership. They use it so they have a gaurenteed income for the year. It looks good on the books for the bank if they can show X amount of dollars coming in. After your term, cancel the direct debit, if they hound you tell them to F off. They have no recourse. Most so called 'popular gyms' I call Poser Gyms, because that's what they have there, and they are a rip off. A good gyms IRON and a shower. Not tai-bo, jacuzzis,mirrors,massages, and the rest of that crap. That's why they need the yearly members, to make sure they can pay for all the crap.
2006-09-07 02:15:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most gyms lock you into a 12 month contract. Your son is lucky that they are asking only for a month's payment - which seems quite fair. It was entirely your son's choice not to attend (on the basis he had no long term illness), so no, he is not in credit at all. Pay up and consider a lesson has been learnt.
2006-09-07 02:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The gym I go to also has an exit fee.
My feeling is that this is a disincentive for me to quit, but it isn't big enough that I wouldn't quit if there was something really bugging me about the place.
2006-09-07 02:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't pay what's the worest they can do? They won;t take him to court for a small amount.
2006-09-07 02:13:21 · answer #5 · answered by N3WJL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋