ARCEurope Former DW Fitness Membership

[Mike The Yid]

Hi, I was a member with DW sports on a month to month contract, started in the summer of last year.

 

I cancelled my membership with them I believe just after new years 2012 by phone, then a month later cancelled the direct debit.

 

Last week I received a letter stating I owe 53 pounds including a 15 pound penalty fee.

 

Today I have received a letter from them about passing it onto their solicitors.

 

 

How do I take action to resolve this?

[locutus]

They are chancers. Anything you say to them seems to egg them on. Write one letter, "I cancelled this, I owe nothing. If you want to insist I do, take me to court. I will not correspond any further on this matter, and further correspondance will be forwarded to the OFT who are currently looking into these matters" then file anything else that they send. I'm sure slick can give you more guidance

[slick132]

Hi Mike and welcome to CAG

 

ARC are, as Locutus says, just chancers.

 

They'll say they've contacted the gym who have no record of any cancellation from you. They may also say you were obliged to write to the gym to cancel, possibly by Recorded Del'y. Therefore, you still owe money and admin fees will be added

 

This is nonsense and you had every right to simply cancel with a phone call and/or by cancelling the DD payments. Of course, you would have been better to cancel in writing, by letter or email so you have proof but what's done is done.

 

Write to ARC as Locutus suggests saying :-

 

I cancelled my membership and gave a month's notice by phoning DW Fitness on or around xxdate. I then cancelled my DD mandate after payment was taken on xxdate.

 

I owe DWF nothing more. Nor do I owe anything in respect of your added admin fees which are unenforceable penalty charges.

 

My method of cancelling was in line with the ruling by Mr Justice Kitchin in the High Court case of The OFT v Ashbourne Mgt Service Ltd in 2011.

 

Please desist from making any further demands in this matter or correspondence will be forwarded to the OFT, who are currently looking into gym memberships and collection activity.

 

Send this by Recorded Del'y and let us know if they reply.

 

[Mike The Yid]

I have yet to receive anything from them after sending them that recorded delivery, thanks for the advice and hopefully that's put an end to their false claim.

[slick132]

Hi Mike,

 

Don't hold your breath .......................