Hi Ross, Slick and Co.

in a similar boat (I have cancelled direct debit with Lifestyle Fitness, and have Harlands on my arse, currently billing me 40.99 when my cancellation is only 14.99).

Hands up, I thought cancelling my DD was the way to cancel as it was in the e-mail they sent at the start. However am now in this situation.

I want to know how far they take it. *Questions directed to whoever is able to respond

For example

1. did you send letter as in post #27? if so what was outcome?

2. can Zinc or the debt collection agency etc effect my credit score?

3. can I jump at them already and start making complaints through FCA, CMA etc.?

thanks

you need to start a new thread

of your OWN please

hi dx,

I don't think there is a need - same old story by the seems?

happy to for the forum though

Hi Rowlocks and welcome to CAG

Posts moved to your own new thread to use from here on .........

In case you need to cancel a gym agreement in the future, see the Guide here - https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?452671-Cancelling-your-Gym-Agreement-Get-it-right-!

See this post that you could adapt and use for your case with Lifestyle Fitness - https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?487279-Lifestyle-fitness-Credit-Resolution-Services&p=5121232&viewfull=1#post5121232

Read as many threads here as you can - you'll find many similar cases with lots of advice about how to treat Harlands/CRS, The Zinc Group and whoever they use as their pet solicitor at any given time.

1. Before you do anything though, was yours a monthly rolling,or a 12 month agreement.

2. When did you sign up if it was a 12 month agreement.

3. Approx when did you cancel the DD mandate.

Too early yet to complain to anyone as, currently, it may well be YOU who is in the wrong. You could only complain once Harlands/CRS are in the wrong by applying increasing admin fees and harassing you AFTER you've made a proper offer to settle as necessary.

1. monthly rolling

2. n/a

3. I cancelled the direct debit 17 may before my 26 may payment was due (I had not used the gym this month, I was originally unaware of the cancellation process)

Harlands have now incurred 'admin fees' and will not reduce them. They are aware I wish to cancel. They told me the only way to reduce the fees / get rid of them is for the gym to tell them to and that it was their error. Harlands have frozen my account for two weeks for me to raise it with the gym etc.

I spoke to my gym in March to cancel, someone said it was fine. So I cancelled my direct debit after I paid April.

I have e-mailed gym asking/ telling them to update Harlands.

Hi Rowlocks,

Harlands have now incurred 'admin fees' and will not reduce them. They are aware I wish to cancel. They told me the only way to reduce the fees / get rid of them is for the gym to tell them to and that it was their error. Harlands have frozen my account for two weeks for me to raise it with the gym etc.

They may not reduce their fees but they also won't enforce them !!

Read other threads here for inspiration.

Use that letter I linked in my post above but leave out the first paragraph.

Speak to no one on the phone, not Harlands/CRS nor the gym. Neither will assist you in any way.

Harlands/CRS will make demands and threats but they will not actually DO anything.

Just send Harlands the letter and let us know what Harlands/CRS come back with in reply.

Read, read, read ............

Hi Slick,

An update:

This is the e-mail I sent to the gym directly, yesterday 29/05/18:

To Lifestyle Fitness Cardiff,

Despite having cancelled my membership in March and paying my April cancellation fee - I am appalled to of have received letters from Harlands advising me that I am in arrears.

I believe that when I cancelled my membership the correct actions were not taken, as Harlands has no evidence of a cancellation, hence the charges.

Enraged, I have tried to contact you by telephone, however, your phone line seems to be dead.

I have contacted the consumer helpline and risen a formal enquiry and will be furthering it with the competition and markets authority if necessary, citing the Consumer Rights Act of 2015.

As a student who is heavily involved in student welfare and in an influential position, I will also be updating all relevant student bulletins regarding health and fitness at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff University, and USW warning of the very dodgy, unfair Lifestyle Fitness.

I will also be sending a university wide email to spread across all three servers advising all students to avoid Lifestyle Fitness as if it were the plague, to avoid being unfairly and illegitimately charged.

I will strongly advise using one of the more responsible competitors such as thegym or easygym, listing their attributes one of which being that they run a transparent system. Furthermore, I will advise the Students Union that any space or attempts at any fayre should be politely declined as to discourage exploitation.

I request that you, immediately, email Harlands the correct information that: NAME SURNAME, customer reference ##### did in fact cancel his membership in March as per discussed on the telephone and that I have no outstanding debts with you or Harlands. Having wasted half a day speaking with them, I understand that power to remove these charges therein lies with you as Lifestyle Fitness, Cardiff.

Regards

NAME SURNAME

To which I received this e-mail which I was CC'd in.

From: Cardiff manager

To: ICS Customer Service

CC: (me)

Hi team,

Please cancel down and wipe any arrears in regards to this membership.

Thank you

*Manger name* Club manager

Lifestyle Fitness etc. etc.

I'll see what happens from here and update you.

Any advice as of yet?

well done sorted!

Hi Rowlocks,

Your complaint was way too long and verbose but who cares - if the gym orders Harlands/CRS to back off and close your case, that's a RESULT !!

So well done and keep us posted of further contact.

Hi Rowlocks,

 

Your complaint was way too long and verbose but who cares - if the gym orders Harlands/CRS to back off and close your case, that's a RESULT !!

 

So well done and keep us posted of further contact.

 

Slick and dx,

I absolutely agree way too verbose! I laughed the whole time I wrote it though.

Received this from gym as response to complaint e-mail:

Hi *name*,

Is important you know that from last Friday, Lifestyle Fitness Cardiff has been sold to a completely different gym company known as Riverside Leisure and therefore any emails regarding your situation across the University would be ineffective. We do not exist in Wales anymore.

We will however wipe all arrears and cancel down your membership.

Thank you.

**name** Club Manager

Hi Rowlocks,

It doesn't matter about the gym's response and I assume you won't be complaining as threatened (because the fault was originally yours !!).

Let us know when Harlands/CRS confirm they are backing off.