Harlands

[Daveuk50]

Hi

 

The charges that Harlands make £25 for a changed direct debit / failed collection - Are these enforceable in the county court.

 

I would think the size of the fee is not legal .

 

Whats everyone opinion of this ?

[slick132]

Hi Dave,

 

If you read other threads here, you'll see our opinion is always that their admin fees are penalty charges which are not enforceable in law.

 

Harlands have gone to great lengths in the past to try and convince folk that the charges have been carefully calculated and are set to reflect the actual costs they incur when a member misses a payment.

 

They have even tried to suggest the charges have been somehow "approved" by the OFT which is nonsense.

 

It's not necessarily the size of the fee that makes it challengeable. It is the NATURE of it - ie there's a fixed amount charged to everyone for a trasnsgression.

 

I would always recommend you refuse to pay their admin fees. Furthermore, if they insist that you pay what amounts to an unlawful penalty, I suggest you have grounds to cancel a gym agreement immediately on the basis of their breach of contract and failure to treat you fairly.