Thank you slick, I am learning a lot here. I shall most certainly make a donation to the site.

I am stunned; how do they get away with this? The letter is designed to intimidate and threaten. Shocking. Kieran

Thank you very very much, I appreciate it. You have given some piece of mine. What happens if they still make further charges? Can they do that? Well yes perhaps it did say harlands in the small print, but like I say this was not remotely obvious. I signed up for 12 months which means the contract ends in mid october this year. Annoyingly, after two months they were offering a 3 month membership, which I would have preferred. So frustraing! But again Slick, many thanks. Kieran

Hello All, I come to you for advice, and I would be very grateful if you could offer any assistance. My situation: Oct 2010 I joined a gym in Hull which I used regularly. 31st March 2011 I was made redundant and even though I am on jobseekers allowance and applying for jobs everyday I struggle to even buy food (I don't get the full whack of JSA) to the extent I now live with my parents and they help me out when they can, in exchange I do all their DIY jobs. I noticed recently that a company called Harlands (who I never heard of) were taking £20 a month out of my account each month. I cancelled this standing order straight away. I was racking my brains who this could be, so I googled them and worked out they are taking money on behalf of the gym. Today I received in the post a letter saying I owe them in total £47. Now, I don't get even this much per week to live on, so me paying it is impossible. They underlined part of the letter saying I need to make a payment before 16th of June otherwise they will bring on more charges. I have the following issues to raise: 1. When I joined the gym I had to 'sign up' via a computer by the desk. I did not get a copy of the terms and conditions. 2. No one explained the terms and conditions with me, no one even asked me my name or any other details. 3. Up until now I have not heard of Harlands; so how could I sign an agreement with them? In my opinion this stinks. What do you think I should do next? I have been browsing the forums for a few hours and to be honest I am flooded with information and I am unsettled. I have never not payed a debt before and I do not like being threatened. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it very much. Thank you, Kieran