Hi guys,

Hoping someone can help.

I’ve read lots of threads on Harlands and read great advice but nothing really on what to do if you want to stay with the gym.

I’m a member and have a years membership paid upfront as a gift.

My daughter was given money for her birthday so she could join the gym.

She is 12.

She doesn’t have a bank account so I set up the membership.

It’s a £9.99 a month no contract membership with Gymetc.

Have got into financially difficulty and have decided to go on a dmp with Stepchange.

Had to change my bank account.

In the process of doing this I have missed a payment and been charged £25.

To be honest it was just a mistake - I had a lot on my plate.

I emailed Harlands explaining my situation and asked them if they could take the fee off on this occasion due to my dire financial situation.

Explained that the membership was a gift for my daughter and I had to pay it through my bank as there was no other option and she is too young for an account.

Explained I would contact the back and cancel the direct debit as no payments were been made into that account anymore and I didnt want to incur anymore charges.

Explained that my daughters father ( who I am separated from) has agreed to take over the direct debit of £9.99 per month as my new bank account only has standing order facilities

- it doesn’t have direct debit facilities.

Went and cancelled my DD and my ex husband went onto Harlands to put in his DD details for my daughters gym membership.

Receive a email from Harlands saying I have been charged another £25 for cancelling my DD. I now owe £50 plus £9.99.

Can’t afford £50 fees.

I am on a strict budget with my dmp and that is a weeks shopping money.

My ex husband has only agreed to pay the £9.99 per month and they have sent a DD mandate to him saying his first payment is £59.99.

He has not agreed to this.

Want to keep the membership as my daughter is really enjoying it and she only asked for money from family for her birthday so she could pay for the year.

Can’t swop membership as she has to be with an adult and I also have a years membership with this gym paid up front for my birthday.

I feel I have no choice but to pay this fee as the first issue is my fault and I can’t expect my daughter or ex husband to take the hit.

They haven’t got the money to anyways.

It will leave me with a huge dent in my food budget.

It’s a whole weeks food.

I have tried to explain this to Harlands but they are not replying.

I have read the t and cs but they are aimed at 12 months contracts mainly. It’s not very clear to me.

Help ... sos .... sorry for the essay.

Also if my ex husband cancels his DD we will be charged another £25 so I’m backed into a corner.

Hi Chlo,

If you stopped the DD for a monthly rolling m/ship, the most you owe is 1 month's fee for the notice period you failed to give.

You explained everything nicely to Harlands/CRS but they couldn't give a damn and demand penalty fees from you anyway. So let them demand all they want - it'll get them nowhere and they'll do nothing to collect money you really don't owe.

If you want YD to keep going to the gym, get someone else to set this up for her on a monthly m/ship. Harlands won't let the m/ship continue in it's present form unless you pay their stupid admin penalty fees (which you must not do) !!

rubbish!

if they wont remove the fees then go elsewhere

the fees are unlawful and a penalty.

tell them what needs to happen

and if they don't help you , then you'll go elsewhere.

don't be intimidated, a DCA is NOT a BAILIFF

and have ZERO legal powers.

ob that note

you mention entering a DMP with stepchange

I hope you've sent everyone in the plan a CCA request, esp if they are a DCA.

never blindly pay debts thru a DMP

they do not check anything and take a cut of your payments to them.

dx

@slick132

Ok that’s great thanks.

My oldest daughter can possibly do this for me.

It’s actually really shocking that they can do this.

With all the recent changes to bank charges, extortionate payday loans and card fees I really can’t believe this is allowed to go on.

I was shocked - £25 for what exactly. It’s madness.

I really hope this kind of charge is next on the hit list and these con artists are put out of business.

@dx100uk;

Are the charges legal?

I couldn’t see anywhere in any t and cs that if you cancel a DD you will be charged £25.

I wasn’t cancelling the membership just trying to change account.

With regards to my dmp it is a relief.

Having recently found myself as a single parent it’s helped me out massively and taken a weight off my shoulders.

I didn’t pay any fees with Stepchange

We maintain the admin charges are unlawful penalties.

Harlands/CRS have challenged this with court action on just one occasion (as seen here on CAG) in the last 5 years and they failed miserably !!