Quitting the Gym early into a DD?

07-05-2008 1:25pm #1

As the headline goes..... (Wage €200 p/w, Gym €57 p/m)

Joined the gym in Feb' was going a good bit and no problems tbh. The following week i needed most of my cash to pay off a holiday i have coming up, and when that's paid, i need to start saving for spending money so i'm just thinking can i just quit the gym i'm in(and join another in a few months).

They've sent a letter out to the house about how i ''owe them'' €671(thats
wrong too because i've paid 2 months already and from 12 months the figure they gave was only €7 less then a full year) and i've had 2 phone calls stating a ''direct debit is a year long CONTRACT''.... Was talking to my Uncle yesterday and he reckons just cancel it and leave them off that they hardly going to bring you to court over it.

So anyone here quit the gym before in this kind of situation?, work in a gym? etc....

bwardrop · 07-05-2008 1:42pm

Have a chat with the gym - you may have signed a year long contract with them as you would with a mobile phone or Sky - this could be tricky to get out of, depending on the gym.

I have heard of a few people being taken to court, but I also know loads of places that wouldn't go to the bother - it is not good PR!

If you are planning on re-joining in a few months, you should consider putting a "freeze" on your account - this should work out well for both you and the gym. Most places would allow this - and save you paying another "joining fee".

Roper · 07-05-2008 2:29pm

Am I the only one who sympathises with the gyms?

I mean, you sign a contract, you're told at the start that this is for a year and that you must still pay it and can't break it, yet the amount of people who turn around and say "oh the bastards they want me to honour my contract with them" is unbelievable. Think of it yourself, if you owned a business and signed someone up to a business contract, be it maintenance, services etc. and they turned around and said in a months time "oh I want to go away on holiday now so I won't be paying you anymore" would you accept it or would you say "sorry mate, you signed on the dotted line, pay me"?

You should talk to them and see what options they might have. Contracts are contracts but they may have a flexible option for you to suspend your membership and resume at a later date, or they may allow you to buy yourself out, or they may think that they're better off shut of you.

dave80 · 07-05-2008 2:48pm

ive cancelled a direct d got 1 letter and a couple of calls from them but after that heard nothing that was over a year ago, give it a shot very few people get brought to court over it

bwardrop · 07-05-2008 2:51pm

Roper wrote: »

Am I the only one who sympathises with the gyms?

I mean, you sign a contract, you're told at the start that this is for a year and that you must still pay it and can't break it

I agree 100%

gilberto_eire wrote: »

They've sent a letter out to the house about how i ''owe them'' €671(thats
wrong too because i've paid 2 months already and from 12 months the figure they gave was only €7 less then a full year) and i've had 2 phone calls stating a ''direct debit is a year long CONTRACT''....

Regardless of what the actual figure is, you do legally owe them money if you signed a contract for a year.

TheBigLebowski · 07-05-2008 2:57pm

Roper wrote: »

Am I the only one who sympathises with the gyms?

I mean, you sign a contract, you're told at the start that this is for a year and that you must still pay it and can't break it, yet the amount of people who turn around and say "oh the bastards they want me to honour my contract with them" is unbelievable. Think of it yourself, if you owned a business and signed someone up to a business contract, be it maintenance, services etc. and they turned around and said in a months time "oh I want to go away on holiday now so I won't be paying you anymore" would you accept it or would you say "sorry mate, you signed on the dotted line, pay me"?

You should talk to them and see what options they might have. Contracts are contracts but they may have a flexible option for you to suspend your membership and resume at a later date, or they may allow you to buy yourself out, or they may think that they're better off shut of you.

The problem I have with these types of gyms is that they know a lot of people quit after a few months but they still expect people to stay for a year. Why not just say its this much per year which is x a month and you can stop whenever you like. It's what my gym does and I wouldn't join a gym that was any other way. Why should you pay for a year's worth of services if you stop after a week. I understand other businesses have setup costs for each person and want to recoup their costs in their 1st year (satellite installation, phone/BB installation etc) but a it doesn't cost the gym anything for you to join, give them money and then stop giving them money.

aye · 07-05-2008 3:02pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

I understand other businesses have setup costs for each person and want to recoup their costs in their 1st year (satellite installation, phone/BB installation etc) but a it doesn't cost the gym anything for you to join, give them money and then stop giving them money.

yes cost the rent is free, as are all the machines, weights, instructors, insurance, electricity, water, heating, computers, cleaners.
you won't join the gym if they dont have the facilities but then people decide on their own accord not to use the facilities.
if you dont want to sign a contract go to a pay as you go gym, simple.

OP you prob will get away with stopping the DD, but as said you could just freeze the memebership for a few months, most gyms are understanding enough about holidays etc.

bwardrop · 07-05-2008 3:04pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

Why should you pay for a year's worth of services if you stop after a week.

There is no point joining a gym if you are going to quit after a week - most places will offer trials to see if you like it before you join to eliminate this. If you sign up to a contract and then realize it is not for you, well that is kinda tough... You wouldn't expect to buy a car and then decide to stop paying your car loan, so why should you stop paying the gym?

Mickk · 07-05-2008 3:04pm

Ha I own a gym and I think if you decide you don't want to train in a gym anymore you should be able to stop paying. For anyone who has continued their contract will know the underhanded tricks they play even when your contract is over, you would imagine that they stop taking money. No the contract is automatically renewed and if you want to cancel you have to give three months notice ect. To the op tell them you hurt your shoulder bench pressing in their smith machine, chances are they havn't provided and real benches to press on and your brief will be in touch, that should stop them harassing you.

07-05-2008 3:05pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

The problem I have with these types of gyms is that they know a lot of people quit after a few months but they still expect people to stay for a year. Why not just say its this much per year which is x a month and you can stop whenever you like. It's what my gym does and I wouldn't join a gym that was any other way. Why should you pay for a year's worth of services if you stop after a week. I understand other businesses have setup costs for each person and want to recoup their costs in their 1st year (satellite installation, phone/BB installation etc) but a it doesn't cost the gym anything for you to join, give them money and then stop giving them money.

I was trying to write a message back like this but just could'nt word it right so did'nt post it, you just wrote it for me:)

I paid for the time i used the gym and happily at that, but the holiday has kind of messed things up and i don't think i should have to stay in Galway when all the lads are in Crete because i'm ''married'' to a gym. They rang yesterday and i gave a bull**** excuse about been broke(just changed the scenario and said i'm finished college and left the county till i sort work) and asked could i leave it for a while and she said she'll freeze my account for a moth and ring back then, might be able to just continue then but i don't like the whole lay out of the structure, she was saying you owe for next month next week aswell as last month and i said look i have'nt used the place since my last payment was due, if i do go back i don't fancy paying that anyway as i was'nt aware i was still able too!!:mad:

07-05-2008 3:09pm

bwardrop wrote: »

There is no point joining a gym if you are going to quit after a week - most places will offer trials to see if you like it before you join to eliminate this. If you sign up to a contract and then realize it is not for you, well that is kinda tough... You wouldn't expect to buy a car and then decide to stop paying your car loan, so why should you stop paying the gym?

I'm not trying to quit after a week, the holiday just came out of the woodwork there about 4 weeks ago, i'm not making enough money to pay the gym for April/May anyway with the cost of the holiday that needs to be paid, as i stated i'm on the bare minimum wage and have other costs to pay aswell!.

If i bought a car i could sell it on, no option with the gym is there?. Compare like for like please if your going too. It's in line with a club of sorts(snooker etc...)

TheBigLebowski · 07-05-2008 3:10pm

aye wrote: »

yes cost the rent is free, as are all the machines, weights, instructors, insurance, electricity, water, heating, computers, cleaners.
you won't join the gym if they dont have the facilities but then people decide on their own accord not to use the facilities.
if you dont want to sign a contract go to a pay as you go gym, simple.

OP you prob will get away with stopping the DD, but as said you could just freeze the memebership for a few months, most gyms are understanding enough about holidays etc.

You missed the point. Other companies that give contracts have specific costs for each person that joins. Connections, installations for each customer that joins and want to recoup that money and I can sympathise with these types of companies when contarcts are broken. The point is that the gym are no worse off for you joining, giving money, then leaving. It doesn't cost anything additional for each membership.

aye · 07-05-2008 3:13pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

I was trying to write a message back like this but just could'nt word it right so did'nt post it, you just wrote it for me:)

I paid for the time i used the gym and happily at that, but the holiday has kind of messed things up and i don't think i should have to stay in Galway when all the lads are in Crete because i'm ''married'' to a gym. They rang yesterday and i gave a bull**** excuse about been broke(just changed the scenario and said i'm finished college and left the county till i sort work) and asked could i leave it for a while and she said she'll freeze my account for a moth and ring back then, might be able to just continue then but i don't like the whole lay out of the structure, she was saying you owe for next month next week aswell as last month and i said look i have'nt used the place since my last payment was due, if i do go back i don't fancy paying that anyway as i was'nt aware i was still able too!!:mad:

why sign the contract for a year if you dont intend on using it for a year?
they are even offering to freeze the memebership despite your poor excuse.

if you signed up to vodafone for a year, and then decided you didnt need the mobile cos you were going away on holiday, would you stop the DD? and if you did do you think they wouldnt chase you up on it?

go with the freezing offer. the reason they are asking for the two months is because you didnt tell them you were thinking of freezing/leaving the membership.

TheBigLebowski · 07-05-2008 3:13pm

bwardrop wrote: »

You wouldn't expect to buy a car and then decide to stop paying your car loan, so why should you stop paying the gym?

That is a really bad analogy for reasons that are so obvious I won't bother pointing them out.

07-05-2008 3:15pm

aye wrote: »

why sign the contract for a year if you dont intend on using it for a year?
they are even offering to freeze the memebership despite your poor excuse.

if you signed up to vodafone for a year, and then decided you didnt need the mobile cos you were going away on holiday, would you stop the DD? and if you did do you think they wouldnt chase you up on it?

go with the freezing offer. the reason they are asking for the two months is because you didnt tell them you were thinking of freezing/leaving the membership.

I did and still do, just for last few weeks and the next few i would'nt be able to pay. And i prob will just go back after the month just wondering is it possible to quit, as my Uncle said just cancel the DD!

aye · 07-05-2008 3:16pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

You missed the point. Other companies that give contracts have specific costs for each person that joins. Connections, installations for each customer that joins and want to recoup that money and I can sympathise with these types of companies when contarcts are broken. The point is that the gym are no worse off for you joining, giving money, then leaving. It doesn't cost anything additional for each membership.

no it doesnt cost anything for each additional memebership, but the gym has a high set up price in the first place, and to recoup their loses takes members. the reason they use a contract is so the company can be assured of getting a full membership fee over the year.
these fees are based on how much the gym set up and daily running costs are. signing up and then leaving, puts a loss on the company books.

aye · 07-05-2008 3:17pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

I did and still do, just for last few weeks and the next few i would'nt be able to pay. And i prob will just go back after the month just wondering is it possible to quit, as my Uncle said just cancel the DD!

question, if you had paid the year up front, would you now be asking for a refund?

TheBigLebowski · 07-05-2008 3:25pm

aye wrote: »

signing up and then leaving, puts a loss on the company books.

No it doesn't. Signing up and and paying for a month (or two or three) means that they have the money for those months which they wouldn't have had if you hadn't joined. How is that a loss. They got a few hunderd euro for no extra effort and they should be grateful for the business you gave them.

aye · 07-05-2008 3:37pm

i open a gym, its costs say 1 grand for simplicity.
i charge 100 euro for membership.
i need 10 members to break even.
i get 11 memebers on DD, great i'll make a profit on the year close.
one decides to leave, **** now i'm making a loss, i'll have to spend more money on marketing to get more members to be back in the profit region.

i understand what you mean, in that they make the money the few months the member is there, but its a bigger loss than if the member paid up front, or stayed the year.

the point i''m trying to make is that people have a conception of a gym as a money making machine!
but the running costs of a decent facility is ALOT! insurance is costly too.
every member gets closer to making a profit.
the membership fee is based on the outgoings and how to cover them.
gyms offer members a DD payment to make it easier on the member, and it also means that they can get a constant stream of smaller monies which can be easier to manage. they dont offer them so the member can leave when they want to.

some gyms are pay as you go, and some gyms like mickks dont mind if you leave, which i think is great.

07-05-2008 3:39pm

aye wrote: »

question, if you had paid the year up front, would you now be asking for a refund?

No, if you read my OP you'd have seen it was'nt that i did'nt want to go anymore it was i could'nt afford to go, if i had the gym paid off then i would'nt have to worry about trying to pay that or the holiday

tunney · 07-05-2008 3:41pm

Can you just cancel a DD? i thought the bank kept paying and you had to get the company to stop taking it?

aye · 07-05-2008 3:47pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

No, if you read my OP you'd have seen it was'nt that i did'nt want to go anymore it was i could'nt afford to go, if i had the gym paid off then i would'nt have to worry about trying to pay that or the holiday

thats true, you did say that. i forgot.
well then why not go for the freezing option?

i dont think they will chase you down for the money is you cancel the DD by the way.

TheBigLebowski · 07-05-2008 3:53pm

aye wrote: »

i open a gym, its costs say 1 grand for simplicity.
i charge 100 euro for membership.
i need 10 members to break even.
i get 11 memebers on DD, great i'll make a profit on the year close.
one decides to leave, **** now i'm making a loss, i'll have to spend more money on marketing to get more members to be back in the profit region.

i understand what you mean, in that they make the money the few months the member is there, but its a bigger loss than if the member paid up front, or stayed the year.

the point i''m trying to make is that people have a conception of a gym as a money making machine!
but the running costs of a decent facility is ALOT! insurance is costly too.
every member gets closer to making a profit.
the membership fee is based on the outgoings and how to cover them.
gyms offer members a DD payment to make it easier on the member, and it also means that they can get a constant stream of smaller monies which can be easier to manage. they dont offer them so the member can leave when they want to.

some gyms are pay as you go, and some gyms like mickks dont mind if you leave, which i think is great.

I know what your saying but I think it's a very bad way of doing business and may actually put a lot of people off joining in the first place. My gym probably has one of the highest setup costs in the country and they don't make you sign a contarct.
I think a lot of these other companies know that a high percentage of people will not keep going which enables them to sign up more people than they have capacity for boosting their profits even more. I wonder what would happen if everyone who signed a contract actually started turning up...

aye · 07-05-2008 3:58pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

I know what your saying but I think it's a very bad way of doing business and may actually put a lot of people off joining in the first place. My gym probably has one of the highest setup costs in the country and they don't make you sign a contarct.

your gym sounds like an exception to the common practice, not that thats a bad thing, it's pretty good.

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

I think a lot of these other companies know that a high percentage of people will not keep going which enables them to sign up more people than they have capacity for boosting their profits even more. I wonder what would happen if everyone who signed a contract actually started turning up...

yeh i would have to agree there, some gyms do expect that have of people who sign up wont show up, so they sign more people up than can be handled.

bwardrop · 07-05-2008 4:05pm

TheBigLebowski wrote: »

That is a really bad analogy for reasons that are so obvious I won't bother pointing them out.

Yeah it was - I was in a rush!! Apologies. My point was that if you sign a contract for something, you are obliged to see it through. The gym relies on membership fees to function and if a person signs a contract, agreeing to pay for the year, why should they be able to back out when they like? To me it sounds like poor planning on the OP's part - too many luxury items (holidays and gym memberships) without the budget to back it up.

Roper · 07-05-2008 4:39pm

Mickk wrote: »

Ha I own a gym and I think if you decide you don't want to train in a gym anymore you should be able to stop paying.

Me too, but let me put it to you this way, contracts are really just another way of securing membership for a year from people who may not necessarilly have the €600 or so to hand to join for a year. So as a gym owner, let me ask you this, if someone paid their yearly membership to you, and then two months later came back and asked for the ten months they hadn't yet used because they weren't going to use it, would you refund them?

Mickk · 07-05-2008 5:08pm

Roper wrote: »

Me too, but let me put it to you this way, contracts are really just another way of securing membership for a year from people who may not necessarilly have the €600 or so to hand to join for a year. So as a gym owner, let me ask you this, if someone paid their yearly membership to you, and then two months later came back and asked for the ten months they hadn't yet used because they weren't going to use it, would you refund them?

If you go into business with that attitude you will get screwed, if they are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts then why is it always a good bit more expensive to do a direct debit than it is for the yearly? They aren't just breaking up the yearly amount into smaller chunks. Thats also the idea of a joining fee which is often only with dd memberships, the fact that there will be a 30% dropoff from direct debits is written into the business plan.

Roper · 07-05-2008 7:04pm

Mickk wrote: »

If you go into business with that attitude you will get screwed, if they are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts then why is it always a good bit more expensive to do a direct debit than it is for the yearly? They aren't just breaking up the yearly amount into smaller chunks. Thats also the idea of a joining fee which is often only with dd memberships, the fact that there will be a 30% dropoff from direct debits is written into the business plan.

I'm not saying that they're doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, what they are doing is getting in customers who might not have €600 to spare once off but would have €60 per month to spare.

Anyway, point of fact- if you don't like the contract, don't enter in to it. The OP entered a contract in good faith and now seeks to break it. The gym's motivations for having the contract option are irrelevant.

Quitting the Gym early into a DD?

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