Gym membership kerfuffle....

[Rubyrose]

Can they do this?

I have been a member of my gym since Jan 2007. Back in July I missed a payment (�50 a month) and it got sent to a sort of debt collectors.. They were definately a debt collectors but didn't charge any extra fees and were always very understanding and didn't seem to care when I said I would pay it next month!

Anyway, the next month I had to pay double. I couldn't afford it and it racked up until I had to pay 3-4 payments worth in one go.. which I payed at the beginning of September.
I called the debt people yesterday to confirm that the cheque had cleared and all was settled and they said it was all fine and all I have to do now is to call my gym and restart the monthly payments. (I am on a 12 month contract with the gym so can't cancel until Jan 2008 and if I want to cancel I have to pay every monthly payment I would owe them un until Jan, in one bulk payment).
So I called the gym and asked them if I could restart my monthly direct debits and they said I no longer had a membership with them as my member ship got cancelled when I missed my first payment and it went to a debt collectors!
So I ask, why the hell did I have to pay �50 a month in bulk, for the months I missed? I am having a meeting with them tomorrow as I need more details but can they do this? Just cancel my membership? I need to go in, knowing all the facts! Surely if I am in a 12 month contract with them, they are in one with me? They said I would have to rejoin and pay a new joining fee and start up a new 12 month contract!

[sandrajo]

You may be contracted to the gym but there are nicer ways they could of dealt with the missed payment. Change gyms rubes, don't give them your business any more.

[Rubyrose]

The gym is LA Fitness!

Named and shamed!

If they say my contract is now cancelled and I have to open a new one, I will just go to another gym. I am off to see them in a minute. I will keep you informed.