Golds Gym - Harlands and CRS problems

[MORF1]

Hello

 

I just wanted to comment that I also received a letter from CRS on the 30th July (yesterday) saying that my Golds Gym membership in Hanwell is in arrears and that I own £367.20. What is so odd is that it's the same amount as the one mentioned here [on Kaju's Golds GYm thread].

 

I contacted Gold's Gym but was told via email that they would not deal with me - that CRS were dealing with this.

 

I cancelled my gym membership in October 2014 by handing in a letter. A DD came out later that month and then I cancelled it in November. So I covered more than a 40 day grace period.

 

I haven't heard from Golds Gym since until yesterday through CRS. I have since been trying to figure out how to deal with it. I posted my problem on a local FaceBook Hanwell forum - and am completely shocked to hear similar stories from loads of local people over the last 5 years.

 

The only action I have taken so far is emailing Golds Gym using the Resolver website. I made it clear that I had cancelled according to their terms. When they emailed me back they cc'ed in CRS.

 

I think I will do what has been suggested next and write the letter as mentioned previously to Harlands and post it tomorrow. I was very distressed last night but am just angry today to be treated like this.

 

If you can recommend anyone I can complain to please let me know. My biggest concern is if this can affect my credit rating? I am not paying these [problem] artists a penny.

Edited July 31, 2015 by slick132
SPACING added

[slick132]

Hi Morf and welcome to CAG

 

I've moved your post into your own thread to avoid hijacking Kaju's Golds Gym thread.

 

I've also added spacing to your post - solid text blocks are not easy to read.

 

[slick132]

Can you tell us :-

 

1. Were you past the minimum m/ship period when you cancelled.

 

2. Do you have a copy of the cancellation letter.

 

This matter will not affect your credit rating unless a CCJ was made against you (highly unlikely).

 

[MORF1]

Hi - thanks for moving me across to another thread.

 

Yes - I was well past the min membership period when I cancelled. I had been a member for just over 2.5 years.

 

Yes - I have a copy of the letter on my PC. As they are less than a 10 min walk from my home I walked in and handed them the letter. The receptionist said that they would deal with it. I did not have to sign anything and did not receive any proof of cancellation.

 

I cancelled on 6th October. My next DD came out on 15th Oct. I then cancelled my DD on 17th Nov.

 

I did not receive any letters from Gold's Gym and then received this letter from CRS yesterday.

 

This is the email I received today from Gold's Gym. They refer to a standard procedure of signing a cancellation form but I do not see that stated anywhere in their T&C's.

 

'Thank you for email regarding your account being referred to CRS. The Account was referred to CRS as there was no written notification received and confirmed by the Club in October 2014 regarding the

 

cancellation of your membership. It is Club procedure where any member who wishes to cancel their membership needs to fill out a form at Reception and a receipt will be given to confirm last payment and

 

membership cancellation. This receipt is proof of cancellation. The same procedure is adopted if a member comes in with a letter to cancel. If a member believes that they have cancelled their membership

 

then proof of cancellation needs to be submitted. (please refer to our terms and conditions on our website, under FAQs detailing terms and conditions regarding termination of membership)

 

Due to the direct debit being cancelled in November 2014, 2 letters were sent out to inform you that we were unable to collect your membership payment and to contact the Club regarding your membership. As

 

the account has been passed to CRS for collection any queries regarding your account will need to be taken up with CRS. All queries regarding CRS accounts will be referred back to CRS by the Club. I have

 

copied them into this email so they are aware that you have made contact regarding their letter.

 

I strongly advise you to contact CRS regarding your cancellation so that they can help resolve this matter.'

[kaju1900]

Hi MORF1,

 

This is such a coincidence!

 

Looks like CRS/Golds do this thing very regularly and they seem to have plucked that figure of £367.20 out of the blue.

 

Golds are edited with little respect for their customers, they have poorly managed facilities and pay minimum wage to the people they employ! I Found out that the guy who owns the UK franchise for all 4 UK gyms is Carl Sandhu.

Let me know if you hear anything from CRS and I'll do the same. I posted my letter today so lets see what happens.

 

I hope like slick said, they give up.

Edited August 1, 2015 by slick132
defamatory remark removed

[MORF1]

Thanks kaju1900,I sent off my letter over the weekend. I will let you know if I hear anything. I'm sure I will - these type of people do not give up easily.

[kaju1900]

Good luck. My letter should arrive today so lets see!

 

Check out their t's&c's below re termination of contract.

 

10. Termination of Membership

 

a) Any member wishing to terminate his or her membership may do so at any time after completing their minimum term. For this

we require 30 days written notice from the next direct debit payment, (members are requested to purchase a receipt of 'proof

postage' from the post office if posting a letter) but he or she shall:

 

(i) Not be entitled to any refund of his or her subscription of joining fee or annual payment.

(ii) Be liable to pay forthwith such part of the subscription fee that would have been payable (but has not been paid) had

the membership continued until the next renewal date.

(iii) If a membership is cancelled within the minimum term, other than the reasons set below (section 10b) the member

shall be liable for the entire remaining balance to be paid in full.

(iv) No refund will be issued if the member/s cannot provide proof of postage (from the post office) of sending the cancellation

letter to the club or proof of e-mail / proof of fax.

b) Cancellation within the minimum term will be considered for the following reasons only

(i) Long Term (Over 3 months) injury or sickness : This agreement can be cancelled in the event of an illness, injury or

medical condition which in the written opinion of a doctor or other suitably qualified medical practitioner prohibits exercise

for 3 months or longer upon appropriate proof being provided.

(ii) Relocation : This agreement can be cancelled in the event that your new permanent address is more than 15 miles away

from the facility upon receipt of a copy utility bill or bank statement showing the new address.

(iii) Redundancy: This agreement can be cancelled upon appropriate proof of redundancy from your employer or other loss livelihood.

(iv) Pregnancy : This agreement can be cancelled upon appropriate written proof being given.

c) Any member who:

(i) Fails to pay the subscription fee by the anniversary of his or her joining or

(ii) Ceases to pay monthly by variable direct debit will be sent one written notice by the proprietor requesting payment, and

if 14 days after such notice the outstanding subscription fee has not been paid, the membership may be cancelled at

the discretion of the proprietor and the remainder of the subscription due for the period from such cancellation until

date shall be forthwith due and payable.

d) The proprietor reserves the right to refuse admission and/or suspend and/or expel any member forthwith if:

(i) In the opinion of the proprietor that the member is persistently in breach of the Rules and/or Bylaws.

(ii) The conduct of such member might in the opinion of the proprietor be injurious to the character or the interests of the

club or render such member unfit to associate with members of the club.

(iii) Member is rude or abusive to an employee or other member(s).

e) Before a member is expelled or suspended the alleged offender’s conduct must be inquired into and the person involved must

be given the opportunity to defend him or herself to justify or explain his or her behaviour.

f) If having enquired into events the proprietor is of the opinion that the member/s is/are guilty of such conduct as mentioned

above and has failed to justify or explain it satisfactorily the proprietor may expel or suspend the offender/s at his discretion.

g) A member expelled forfeits all the privileges of membership without claim for any refund of subscription or annual fee.

h) The proprietor has the right and absolute discretion to terminate the membership of any member on notice on his renewal or

[kaju1900]

Can you tell us :-

 

1. Were you past the minimum m/ship period when you cancelled.

 

2. Do you have a copy of the cancellation letter.

 

This matter will not affect your credit rating unless a CCJ was made against you (highly unlikely).

 

Hi slick,

 

Just wanted to copy and paste the termination clause from the Golds t's&c's. They don't say a cancellation form needs to be filled in - a letter will suffice!

 

Do Golds management not read their own contracts before instructing CRS?!

 

 

 

10. Termination of Membership

 

a) Any member wishing to terminate his or her membership may do so at any time after completing their minimum term. For this

we require 30 days written notice from the next direct debit payment, (members are requested to purchase a receipt of 'proof

postage' from the post office if posting a letter) but he or she shall:

(i) Not be entitled to any refund of his or her subscription of joining fee or annual payment.

(ii) Be liable to pay forthwith such part of the subscription fee that would have been payable (but has not been paid) had

the membership continued until the next renewal date.

(iii) If a membership is cancelled within the minimum term, other than the reasons set below (section 10b) the member

shall be liable for the entire remaining balance to be paid in full.

(iv) No refund will be issued if the member/s cannot provide proof of postage (from the post office) of sending the cancellation

letter to the club or proof of e-mail / proof of fax.

b) Cancellation within the minimum term will be considered for the following reasons only

(i) Long Term (Over 3 months) injury or sickness : This agreement can be cancelled in the event of an illness, injury or

medical condition which in the written opinion of a doctor or other suitably qualified medical practitioner prohibits exercise

for 3 months or longer upon appropriate proof being provided.

(ii) Relocation : This agreement can be cancelled in the event that your new permanent address is more than 15 miles away

from the facility upon receipt of a copy utility bill or bank statement showing the new address.

(iii) Redundancy: This agreement can be cancelled upon appropriate proof of redundancy from your employer or other loss livelihood.

(iv) Pregnancy : This agreement can be cancelled upon appropriate written proof being given.

c) Any member who:

(i) Fails to pay the subscription fee by the anniversary of his or her joining or

(ii) Ceases to pay monthly by variable direct debit will be sent one written notice by the proprietor requesting payment, and

if 14 days after such notice the outstanding subscription fee has not been paid, the membership may be cancelled at

the discretion of the proprietor and the remainder of the subscription due for the period from such cancellation until

date shall be forthwith due and payable.

d) The proprietor reserves the right to refuse admission and/or suspend and/or expel any member forthwith if:

(i) In the opinion of the proprietor that the member is persistently in breach of the Rules and/or Bylaws.

(ii) The conduct of such member might in the opinion of the proprietor be injurious to the character or the interests of the

club or render such member unfit to associate with members of the club.

(iii) Member is rude or abusive to an employee or other member(s).