Question Author
HowardKennitby/Hopkirk - The locker was secured by a 4 number, combination padlock that was supplied by the gym (first point of their responsibility). There were two other lockers hit at the same time, both of which were locked with the issued padlock. There were three lockers broken into the previous week, all of which were again locked with the padlock supplied by the gym. (there were also further break ins the following week).
Considering that my belongings were secured in a locker on LA Fitness's private property, with a (sub-standard) lock supplied by them, do they not have to assume some responsibility for my possessions? Also the lockers which are secured with a removable padlock are clearly going to be less secure than ones with an internal, key operated lock.
The gym did not inform its members of the thefts the week before or suggest that they be extra vigilant as thefts were occurring. They did not warn members that the supplied padlock was susceptible (it has since been withdrawn). They did not make me aware that there are 'security' lockers in the reception area nor that they actually sell 'high security' padlocks on reception.
There is a side issue here too in that the club/RSA are now blatantly lying about a)the fact that the three padlocks broken off on that day were all dumped in an extra locker, as the duty manager had told me immediately after the incident. RSA are now saying there was no sign of them, and b)they are denying that their staff were selling membership packs under the counter for cash. This was something that was brought to my attention by someone who was offered such a deal and I raised it with the manager as an indication of the dubious character of their staff. She admitted to knowing about it and that the member of staff responsible had been sacked. RSA are now saying that they are disputing that it ever happened, despite me offering them an independent eye witness!
It has been dragging on for so long, and I know this happens a lot in gyms but it makes me mad that because it happens so much, something should be done about it. The gyms don't give a toss and now they and/or the insurance company are blatantly lying about events.
Suechu - I am not claiming on my home contents insurance for this because I don't think I should have to lose my no claims bonus/swallow the inevitable premium increase for something that was not my fault.