Gym Payment

A question about : Gym Payment

Hi,

I filled in an SOA on another thread, and have been using YNAB over the last week or so. I've been going through my bank statements in a separate exercise.

Im angry because I feel like I am starting to get a handle on things and notice that despite cancelling my gym contract on 7th July, they have continued to take payments from my account. The payment on the 1st August would have been taken becuase they state that they require 1 months notice, though a payment came out on the 1st September too. This is not within the original contract, and I made them aware in good time and in good faith.

I have now cancelled my direct debit but I am livid! I have gone through my mobile phone bill and found the record where I called them, so I have proof of the phone call.

What chance do I have of getting the payment returned, and what do I do if they deny I called them and expect another payment on first October.

NEVER AGAIN!

Best answers:

• I also notice that my phone bill has gone up. Geeze, checking through bank statements is a useful exercise!
  For no reason my phone bill is now Ј7 more than what I agreed to!!!
  I was hoping of switching to PAYG, could this be a valid reason to escape my contract? I understand that if the terms are altered I am able to exit my contract.
• No to the exit of the phone contract. They can put the contract up in line with inflation..sorry. You would have been informed in a letter.
  With regard to the Gym, you usually have to cancel by letter. Again, this is a contract. You cant just cancel it over the phone, or by stopping the DD. Now you have stopped the DD, it is likely they'll hit you with a late payment charge and consider non-payment a debt to be recovered. You need to go to the Gym and cancel it there over the counter and get proof that it was done so, or by letter, again, demanding proof of cancellation..
  This is of course assuming you CAN cancel your membership under the T's & C's. Please tell us what your contract actually says about how and when you can cancel.
• I can think of any number of contracts that you can cancel over the phone, including this one - I have done so before with this particular gym with no issues. In fact the contract states I must do so via the membership phone line!
• 12 minimum direct debits, the last of which was 1st July 2014. I cancelled on 7th July as such they stated the last dd would be 1st August. 1st September is beyond the remit of the contract.
• The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I rang up complained and they refunded the payment. It only happened the once, to be honest I think they just chance there arm in the hope you won't notice.
• Err, to answer your other issue about getting the payment back, contact your bank, if a DD is taken in error, you are entitled to an immediate and full refund.
• Looking good. They admit that the DD was taken in error and have confirmed that the membership is cancelled (both via email too). They advised the quickest way to get a refund was to contact the bank.
  Happy days!