GeeKaush and LA Fitness Cancellation Probs

[GeeKaush]

Hi I am in the exact same situation as you are.

 

I just signed up yesterday and i am going abroad mid July however I was literally forced into signing up in that kiosk.

 

I called the Croydon Branch where i signed up and the manager said she will deal with it Monday since the person in charge is on holiday. Having read reviews i know this is a blatant lie.

 

Before anything I told the person who signed me up that i will only be here for less than 2.5 months. He said i can sign up for a 12 month contract and cancel it within 3 months and get my money back.

 

Tomorrow I am going to the office to return everything they gave such as a bag/key/card and demand mine being cancelled. I would have given the money up for one month at least if he genuinely told me that they dont do anything less than a 12 month contract instead of saying that i get my money back.

 

This is ridiculous and I would really appreciate someone who I can actually get advice from. Let me know how your case goes.

Edited July 6, 2011 by slick132
Put in paras to make it readable

[GeeKaush]

Also read this blog blagger.com.

 

Here someone has contacted the CEO some martin long or so and he has sorted it out. Im not sure how far this is true but worth a shot i think.

 

I called the head office twice, the first time answered by a rude assitant the second time someone said he will look into it.

 

His name is david maybe he can be of some help - at least he was polite. which gym did you sign up in?

Edited July 6, 2011 by slick132
Para's put in

[slick132]

Hi GeeKaush and welcome to CAG

 

I've moved your posts from where they were - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?311099-LA-Fitness-Cancellation-BS&p=3478133&viewfull=1#post3478133 - into your own new thread here. This avoids hijack of others' threads.

 

Did you pay the years' fees up front or are they to be taken by DD monthly.

 

You need to address your complaint to the gym's HO in writing as they may well just ignore your phone complaints. Send your letter by Rec'd Del'y.

 

Keep it brief and make the point that you were told clearly by the gym's rep that you could cancel. Say you want to be released from the contract in accordance with the terms which the gym's rep made very clear - ie you could cancel within 3 months which suited your plans to leave the UK

 

Confirm that you have returned the bag, key, etc to a NAMED employee.

 

[GeeKaush]

Thank You Slick123.

 

Well by DD. But i paid 40 upfront which they also said i will get back.

 

Should i also give them a time frame to respond? Apparently they are famous for claiming that letters weren't received.

 

I need to do this soon since I'm leaving abroad in two weeks. and I don't want to be worrying about this while there.

 

The only problem is although the sales guy/the guy who signed me up verbally emphasised the money back guarantee within three months there was nothing in writing. thats my concern.

 

I signed up on a kiosk at the centre.

Edited July 6, 2011 by slick132
PARA's !!

[slick132]

Hi GK,

 

Please use para's when writing - it makes post far easier to read. I've put them into each of your posts above.

 

You won't get the initial £40 back - you have to pay something for the use of the gym !

 

But I suggest you cancel the DD with your bank or the gym will take the money, regardless of your assertions. Do this in writing or use internet banking, if you have it, to cancel the DD.

 

This will not be resolved before you leave. So you need to have someone monitor your post for their letters.

 

Write to the HO by Rec'd Del'y and give them 7 days to respond.

 

The focus of your complaint is that the rep convinced you that you would be free to cancel within 3 months WITHOUT PENALTY. Even though you signed a written contract, you were swayed by the specific advice given by the companies representative. You now feel that the rep told you this to get you to sign, despite the fact that he knew this was not the policy of the company and that the company would pursue you for 12 months m/ship fees.

 

[GeeKaush]

I never used the GYM since i signed up. I signed up on the 5th of July 2011 and wrote to them the very night to cancel my membership because I was pressurised into this and also because loads of customers were ripped off and I dont want to attend a GYM that cons people into contracts. The gym i used in Swansea which is LC2 is very good in this regard. Moreover they are a Lot bigger and cleaner. I use internet banking so i can cancel it that way.

[GeeKaush]

and about the paragraphs. Sorry did it again Will change the next time over. Its just that im so annoyed and upset now Since I am a student and not earning, hence this is going to be really hard. I dont want to graduate with a debt agency at my back

[havinastella]

Just for my own information, what pressure did they put on you.

 

My Son is going to Southampton Uni in September and is adament he's signing up for a gym. I have told him for £40 a month, that will pay his rent.

 

Why did you sign?

 

JOgs

[GeeKaush]

Because I felt trapped and I just wanted to get out of there with any reason. Also he said I can cancel anytime before three months because I told him i wont be in Town and so i was intending to cancel the very next day anyway!

[GeeKaush]

Well initially I gave excuses like I dont have my bank card. Then he was like so how can you get info i said i might have to call home then he said ah yeah I will wait for you etc and I tried lying my way out but didnt work. Then i just wanted out so since he assured me the cancellation within three months I just signed up. Big Mistake.

[slick132]

HI GK,

 

In addition to the fact that you were misled into believing you could easily cancel without penalty, it would also seem that you were put under significant pressure to sign the contract.

 

This, in itself, should be good reason to dispute the membership agreement and the sales rep should be reported to the gym, it's HO and to Trading Standards.

 

[GeeKaush]

Aww. Slick123 - Thank You soo Much. You have been great help! I will include all your thoughts on my letter.