Jackie Skelly Gym

niamhbee

Is anyone interested in joining Jackie Skelly's? I'm a member there, and due to my hours changing in work, I have to cancel my membership, well I tried to cancel it! They told me that the only way I can, is if I transfer the membership over to someone else, so if anyone is interested in joining the gym, please respond to this. Thanks!!

matt-dublin

how much is the membership cost monthly

niamhbee

I'm paying €61 per month up until July, I think it's usually €68. would you or do you know anyone who'd be interested in taking up the membership?

matt-dublin

i might do ill ask my house mate cos she's sick of paying €15 to use the pool

Charlie-Bravo

€15 to use the pool? I was quoted €20. They don't know if they're coming or going.

dubgirl

I've gone twice with a member and only paid €10

Sparks115

I have 2 memberships up for sale if anyone wants them. With my long commute to work I am getting back so late I cant get to the Gym and my other half wont go if I dont go!!! So if you want to PM me I will tell you the details.:D

matt-dublin

astrofluff wrote:

€15 to use the pool? I was quoted €20. They don't know if they're coming or going.

i think it depends on their mood...
first few times she went ity was €10
then she went again and it was €15
i think she was asked to pay €20 but didn't go...

i bet the staff there are pocketing that money!

niamhbee

Well, you can let me know if she wants it, sounds like it'd be worth it, especially if she's using the pool for €15!

matt-dublin

ill ask her tonight when i get home.

niamhbee

Any luck with your housemate, regarding the gym membership?

matt-dublin

yeah i asked, she said she wouldn't use it enough

Dapper

The Place smells anyway and they rip you off

MommaMia

Anyone else notice that are no staff ever around in the gym!! Its crazy, what if someone had an accident. I had to ask at reception this evening, and waited 10 minutes but she couldn't locate any staff!! The Personal Trainer was around, but he won't answer any questions. I only wanted to weight myself . I was trying to find a h/office to complain but no luck.

JimbobK

I cant believe they have asked you to get someone else to take your place -an absolute cheek / rip off .. arggg that is such poor customer service

I'm trying to cancel ( well I have with the bank) and they have sent the usual threatening letters re " you own us money" .. eh no - I dont cos you've been paid for the time I was a member..

Anyway . I've responded and am blue in the face giving them my position. Now I'm trying to talk or email one of their directors . The scarlett pimpernel springs to mind ! .. Dont suppose any of you good folk have a contact ??

leaba

Another annoying thing about JS is that they seem to charge 45 quid to freeze your membership. They limit the freeze to 3 months and the frozen period does not contribute to your initial contract period.

I'm going to leave as soon as my contract is up, and I wouldn't recommend membership to anyone. I don't mind there not being gym instructors around as I don't use them but still the gym is mediocre at best.

When enquiring about freezing the girl on the end of the phone was absolutely confrontational about everything!?! It was crazy, they treat their customers absolutely terribly.

Does anyone know if you can give the 60 (yes 60) days notice 2 months before the initial contract runs out so that you can leave after a year as opposed to 1 year and 2 months?

niamhbee

I know, I can't believe they asked me to go and find someone to take my membership!! I even offered to forfeit 2 months membership to get out of the contract, but to no avail.

I've received two letters so far from them, but i'm going to ignore them and see what happens. I just hope it won't go against my Credit Rating, but I'm nearly sure it won't.

I've learned my lesson though, I certainly won't be joining a Jackie Skelly gym again!!

CD_GD

Hi, I will also be looking to leave Jackie Skellys gym. I find that classes are often cancelled and when they do happen they start late and finish on time, not giving me the full time I have paid for!! I have complained about this to them before and said I would be looking for a full refund (I have unfortunately paid for the year!!) Does anyone else notice classes are often cancelled???

Charlie-Bravo

Hi CD,

By the looks of it you have made legitimate complaint. If you read the threads here it shows how people have succesfully cancelled their direct debits but seeing as you have paid for the year in advance (and made a saving of two months worth or so!) you might do the letters of complaints, keep using the gym and find more faults with the place keep writing to them, and bring them to the small claims court if they haven't given you a refund. I reckon on the final letter to them, tell them that you are not satisfied and that you have stated this in previous letters and that should you not receive a refund in full by such a date (give them 30 days) that you will have no other option than to bring them to the small claims court.

Now, to be honest I am not a member but all the complaints I heard I don't see how anyone wouldn't have any problem getting their money back?! I might be wrong...has anyone else had experience going down this route?

Astro!

wicklowdub

Gyms & Private clubs etc have no accreditation to the ICB so not paying them will have no effect to your Credit Rating - obviously if would effect your standing with that company but they certainly cant blacklist anyone

GAN

absolutely right wicklowdub -- your credit rating is only affected by loans and how you repay them. As Jackie Skelly's hasn't loaned you any money, cancelling your direct debit would have no impact whatsoever on your credit rating.

Hammiepeters

Its hard to believe that they are actively driving for new members up there with a leaflet drop at supermarkets, etc. The standard is so poor and the staff, hygiene , etc combine to make it one kip.I would like to complain directly to JS as I understand she is a decent enough person. But there is no customer service line at their HO. I believe theeir other centres are VG. In comparison to the big fitness centre in Sandyford of which I was a member the Greystones J Skelly is really poor. Vote with your feet.

peters

niamhbee wrote:

Is anyone interested in joining Jackie Skelly's? I'm a member there, and due to my hours changing in work, I have to cancel my membership, well I tried to cancel it! They told me that the only way I can, is if I transfer the membership over to someone else, so if anyone is interested in joining the gym, please respond to this. Thanks!!

Did you sell your membership? If not, does the membership cover all clubs? Is there any cost to transfer membership?

Thanks,
Peter

CD_GD

Hi Peters,

I have a membership to transfer. I got a v good price from jackie skelly and have paid up for the year. There is about 8 or 9 months left on the membership at a cost of €50 per month (€400 or €450, depending on how many months are left). I will cover the cost of transfering it if you want to take this membership.

Let me know if your interested.

niamhbee

Hi, I've been away for a couple of weeks, only got to reply now! the membership is still open, and yes it can be transfered to any of the clubs, is you're still interested let me know.

testicle

From yesterdays SIndo...

Debt collectors 'hunting' gym fees
NICOLA TALLANT

A TOP Dublin gym is employing debt collectors to chase lapsed members for their monthly fees.

Jackie Skelly Fitness say they have outsourced the work to a debt collection company for "extreme" cases of members who do not pay up after signing a year-long contract with the gym.

The chain has seven gyms across Dublin and a new facility in Drogheda, with a total of 20,000 members.

Mark Tooke, Director of Jackie Skelly, says that members sign a legal contract when they join up in the gym and must honour that.

"If people miss a payment we write to them and ring them. But in extreme cases when a membership hasn't been paid for around four months we outsource the work to a debt collection agency who follow that up."

A recent report found that a massive 80 per cent of people who join gyms as part of their New Year fitness resolution drop out. According to the report from Deloitte just one in five keep up the January spurt of exercise.

Membership at Jackie Skelly costs €66 per month or €75 for premium membership but Mr Tooke insists that they have a retention rate of 60 per cent.

"I have heard those figures before that just 20 per cent continue to use the gym, but in our experience it is more like a retention rate of over 60 per cent. That would include those that come every day and those that might just attend once a month," he said.

Other large gym groups use different types of payments. At Ben Dunne's Carlisle, Northwood and Westpoint centre members pay upfront for a year or 18 months membership.

Gar Holohan, Chairman of the Aura Holohan Leisure Group says he does not agree with legal contracts when it comes to gym membership.

"The prospect of a member of any one of the eight leisure centres that we operate being hunted down by a debt collector will never arise because we are the only chain of leisure centres in the country operating a 'pay-as-you go' system.

"We don't believe in locking people into contracts and then calling in the debt collectors to recover every cent owed to us, simply because those who signed up as members have decided to stop using our facilities," he said.

"The industry standard is that almost half of those who sign up as gym members quit within three months.

"I have heard stories about debt collectors knocking on doors and the existence of contracts that don't offer escape clauses. We don't subscribe to these practices that do nothing for our industry."

GAN

have you all noticed that your direct debit payment has gone up by a euro...I checked my contract and apparently they are within their rights to do this. Considering the appalling level of service they provide it's a bit galling, but more fool me I suppose for not reading the small print.

I have already got a note in my diary reminding me to give them the two months notice of cancelling, I suggest we should all vote with our feet on this one!:rolleyes:

CD_GD

How can they do that when you sign up for a price for an agreed amount for the year?

GAN

In the terms and conditions, they say: "the members direct debit will automatically increase and annual fees will be subject to an increase on membership renewal". Like I said it's my own fault for not reading the contract closely enough, but it's sharp practice. I've never had this happen to me with any direct debit or standing order I've taken out before.

I think this along with the debt collectors story shows that Jackie Skelly is not interested in providing a decent service, they are just interested in screwing as much money as possible out of people.

makbos

Hi do you or anybody else is stiil interested to transfer your membership in jackie skally?
Just let me know on mail : makbos@wp.eu

dutchy78

Skelly's tread their membership contracts as legally binding contracts and they will send the Bailiffs round to collect any outstanding monies.
In charlesland you have signed i believe a 12 month contract, so you have only two options: pay for twelve month (if you use the place or not doesn't matter) or find somebody to take over your contract (good luck with that.)

niamhbee wrote:

I know, I can't believe they asked me to go and find someone to take my membership!! I even offered to forfeit 2 months membership to get out of the contract, but to no avail.

I've received two letters so far from them, but i'm going to ignore them and see what happens. I just hope it won't go against my Credit Rating, but I'm nearly sure it won't.

I've learned my lesson though, I certainly won't be joining a Jackie Skelly gym again!!

Hammiepeters

Given that they never respond to or acknowledge emails and that Joe Duffy covered the subject of standards at their establishment lately(**** found in the pool), I dont think you should worry too much about bailiffs. Tell them that you complained by email and recieved no reply. They get so many,they wont know whether you did or not. This crowd need to lift their standards. Keep hounding them, they're crap.

apetale

Hi you all energetic folks!

Im leaving beautiful Ireland in July, and have another 6 months of direct 68E debit to transfer to anyone.
The club is very good, and i'll miss it.

If u are interested let me know on a post, and we'll arrange something. (i dont want to give out my email)

Epée

mikedragon32

apetale wrote:

Hi you all energetic folks!

Im leaving beautiful Ireland in July, and have another 6 months of direct 68E debit to transfer to anyone.
The club is very good, and i'll miss it.

If u are interested let me know on a post, and we'll arrange something. (i dont want to give out my email)

Epée

Don't post here, PM him/her! This isn't Adverts.ie!

sharonalley

Hi I am interested in joining are you still looking for someone to take over the membership

Hammiepeters

sharonalley wrote: »

Hi I am interested in joining are you still looking for someone to take over the membership

State of art centre opening other end of the street at what sounds like great rates. Marriot and Glenview offering discounts. Both great establishments. Sharon; read this thread. JS is a filthy minging, robbing hole. Spend your hard earned somewhere else.

wicklowgal

DO NOT EVER JOIN JACKIE SKELLYS!!!!

The place is a hole, they are money grabbing b*****ds!!I had a lot of trouble cancelling my membership also,I signed the year long contract,but after they started taking more money out of my account,without me knowing,I complained and complained and complained and complained.In the end I cancelled the Direct Debit after 10months of membership.I got many threatening phone calls but absolutely ATE them out of it everytime they rang.Its a rip off,there were many nights I went up to the gym and had to queue to use a threadmill!!!!Not to mention the FILTHY showers and changing rooms!!There were always children in the pool after hours(after 6.30),again I complained and complained and complained and complained.This gym caused me more stress than anything else and it certainly wasn't cheap-in fact I've shopped around and I think it's probably one of the most expensive gyms around.

I also know for a fact that they make up the prices as they go along.A friend of mine went in to view the gym(I had warned her!),they asked her what she did for a living and when she told them what she did(she has a very well paid job),she said the guys eyes lit up,he quoted her 77euro a month!!!!!!While I had only paid 62euro a month.Evidently,they are on big time commission.

Anyway,rant over.You have been warned!!:mad:

BTW,I joined the Marriott after leaving JS and they run a fantastic gym.I would highly recommend it and are offering no joining fee at the moment!

Hammiepeters

If anyone has any doubts as to the validity of negative comments raised regarding this bunch; have a look at last mondays' Prime Time on www.RTE.ie ''service with a snarl''.
Had to revive this thread, sorry, I just hate the buggers.
New Shoreline is great as is Glenview.

dr ro

went swimming in js yesterday about 1pm.my girlfriend's a member, i'm not.had baby with us.no guests allowed. we're told i'd have to pay. O.k.asked how much? One of the 2 young girls behind counter said 15.they looked at each other, shrugged, then said 10. Went to shoreline. She won't be renewing membership.

Hammiepeters

They're open 3 years yet they are constantly at Tesco's driving for new members. You would think the penny would drop with consumers; but still people are getting on the rollercoaster and getting fleeced. That they want peoples money and then dont give a hoot is bad enough; but there is a nasty side to them when people want to opt out which includes debt collectors, credit rating threats, etc. If your' friend wants out tell her to cover her tracks well and back up with writing.
What really showed them for the low lifes that they are the other night was the info in their training manual which encouraged their sales staff to ''push peoples fat button''. A lot of people signing up for gyms are vulnerable and insecure. A recipe for pysche and eating disorders is to bully them and make them feel worse about themselves. The sooner this scum of a company is sent packing from Greystones the better.

therewillbe

Has anyone had this problem ?

Joined Oct 2007 , used it till feb 08. I became ill. No prob. Rang in June/July to see what could be done, given the brush off. Kept my payments up todate . Out of contract last nov but still they keep deducting payment until I fill out a SPECIAL FORM.:mad:Seems I have to give them 2 months notice even though I will not ever step foot back in the place. Peeded off at present .
Oh ye, they said they posted a renewel form out to me in September, never got it. Is this usual ?

mikedragon32

Thread locked. Consumer Affairs is better suited to the issues raised here.