Direct Debit - gym membership

Cionád

Hi there,

A friend of mine is a member of a gym and wants to leave. He rang them up to cancel and they said no problem but they'd have to take another 2 months direct debit from his account, and will also have to put it in writing.

Can they just claim this 2 months for nothing? - I'm not sure if there is a contract involved.

Also, It's my understanding you cannot cancel DD payments through your bank yourself, they need permission from both yourself and the receiver of the money, is this the case?

Much appreciated,
Cionád

MysticalSoul

Any gym I have ever joined has had a minimum membership of 12 months, which I have had to sign, so think that they are in their right if he is breaking the contract early.

Nody

The contract originally signed most likely have a two month cancellation period that comes in effect after the original 12 months (most Irish gyms appears to run with that clause).

craichoe

Call into your bank branch, cancel the direct debit and tell the Gym to f*ck off

Sam Vimes

craichoe wrote: »

Call into your bank branch, cancel the direct debit and tell the Gym to f*ck off

well that's not very good advice. i'm thinking this is jackie skelly fitness, am i right? this isn't the first time this has popped up.


it's in the contract he agreed to that he had to give 2 months notice so if he refuses to pay it they can send debt collectors after him.

how about he goes for an extra 2 months?

Cionád

OK, he joined in June last year so the 2 month cancellation period is probably the issue i'd say. There was a contract but he hasn't had a look at it yet.

Think its Jacky Skellys alrite, 60 euro a month :eek:

axer

http://www.howbankingworks.ie/Direct%20Debits.htm wrote:

If you want to cancel a direct debit
In the direct debit you have authorised your bank to pay amounts from your account. Accordingly, if you want to cancel, you should notify your own bank. It is a good idea to also notify the payee also.
If the Direct Debit relates to monthly subscriptions of an annual contract (the typical case is your gym subscription) the payee may tell you that you cannot cancel the Direct Debit. This is not correct - you can cancel. But if you do, you may find that you are still liable for payments under your annual contract, and the payee may chase you for payment by another means.

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Guy:Incognito

craichoe wrote: »

Call into your bank branch, cancel the direct debit and tell the Gym to f*ck off

And yet if it was the other way round and they broke the agreement or took money on him people would be up in arms.

ongarite

craichoe wrote: »

Call into your bank branch, cancel the direct debit and tell the Gym to f*ck off

Ehh, bad advice, Jackie Skelly will send the debt collectors after you and they will get alot more than 2 months membership for their time.