Does this gym have the right to continue billing me after I have requested a cancellation?

Question

Hello,

I called the gym this morning and requested that they cancel my membership - however they have told me that they require 28 days notice (which means they will get my money for next month... surprise).

I have been told this is in the terms of conditions. However on their website they state:

"We believe very strongly in the quality of our staff and our facilities and programmes. For this reason, we don’t tie you in to any contract whatsoever. Simply let us know if you want to leave and there are no ties or further payments to make."

If this hadn't been on the website then I wouldn't be querying this. However I joined the gym under the pretense of what they claimed on their website... that there is "No Commitment, No Problem".

Also if the gym are uncooperative, can I cancel the direct debit with my bank? This isn't the first time the gym have been unhelpful and I have been mislead several times by their adverts around the gym (I still haven't been paid for the members I referred months ago but that's another story).

Any help appreciated.

Jack.

Answer 1

Take a screen shot of what it says on the website, then get a photocopy of whatever paperwork you signed at the gym. You don't owe them a penny, just go to the bank, explain the situation, and if they are being jerks, tell them you'll contact the BBB (better business bureau) because they're violating the terms of service that they sold the product to you under. They said there is no contract, therefore with no contract they can't hold you to a payment.



Plus even if it does say that somewhere where you may have signed you still don't have to pay it because they have inconsistent advertising. I ordered a pair of contacts online just a little while ago. On the website it said that they don't do returns or refunds for defective products, thing is, small defects can't be spotted on coloured contacts until you open them. So they were defective and they said they didn't have to do anything, until I opened a complaint with Pay Pal and they ruled in my favor and I got my money back. Just because they say those are the terms of service doesn't mean that's the way it works because at the end of the day they're not the ones holding the cards. Just walk up to them and say bluntly, your advertisement says there are no contracts, I'm done with your gym, and I don't have to give you any notice, or any more money because I'm not under contract.



* Mr. Yes Man, maybe he's going somewhere else? Maybe his life is just really busy right now and that's why he's not going to the gym. I'm in the army, it's apart of my job to be in shape, but I don't always go to the gym. I cancel my membership when school gets really busy and I can't go, so if I'm not going why would I waist my money? Maybe he's going somewhere this month, I get shipped out for months at a time, why would I still pay a membership if I'm not even in the area to use the gym. Maybe he's found another gym that's better and doesn't want to go to this one anymore? Thing is there are plenty of perfectly good reasons why he may not want to go to this gym anymore, you really shouldn't be jumping to conclusions like that. He doesn't owe them a penny because he's not under contract. You can't hold a persons to payments if you're on a month to month bases with them and you don't have a contract with them, period.

Answer 2

I suppose cancellation of your membership should be put into writing not a phone call. Anyone can use the phone and tell his or her name this and that to cancel the membership it turn out the person is not the same of who she or he is in the membership roaster.



That is why I guess the gym is correct to give them notice 28 days or 30 days to be exact for cancellation of any membership to give them protection also of any due fees that they should be collecting in the remaining months or so. Business is business I should say. You profit your time in the gym now it is time the gym makes profit out of you. How do you look now 2 months ago, you probably looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger by now compared to 2 months ago looking like Woody Allen.



You should step into the office of the gym and clear up your membership personally not just using the phone. Phones are informal cancellation, do you know this or not yet? Any transaction done should be formal either you talk face to face or you write a simple note or document stating your claim and let them approve it or cancel it by their own discretion.



It is quite certain you are trying to escape responsibility here in my own opinion of course. Running for your life?

Answer 3

Easy solution... report your card as stolen and get a new one issued in a few days. You get a new number and the old one stops working. Just do not try to defraud the bank. If you need money out of you account while you wait for the new card you will have to visit the bank in person.

Answer 4

Your bank can refuse any charge you request but they charge to do it. I wouldn't worry about the gym coming after you, they won't bother. Pay to refuse the transaction and make sure they won't be able to just run it again.

Answer 5

because of technique of paying their club value you're getting into right into a settlement with them. in case you pay the value the regulation assumes you have had the experience to study, understand and settle for their words and stipulations.