Need Advice on Cancelling Gym Membership

[jrs]

I understand that, by all rights and purposes, I am stuck to the legally binding contract that I signed that states that I am liable for a 2-year membership (1 year left).

However, I am being relocated for work, out of state, and cannot afford 70 dollars a month (for two people) for a gym that I don't even go to anymore.

The first option is obviously talking with the management. However it'll be unlikely that they will let me out of the contract. Won't hurt to ask.

Other than that, I need a plan of action. This gym is not respectful of its members by the way, and that helps in weighing my options. I thought about doing something to get kicked out, though I don't want any legal ramifications either.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[onslaught]

burn the place down

okay dont but i dont know find someone else to pose as you, usually they dont ask for ID anymore.

have them pay the membership for a year

 

[jrs]

burn the place down

okay dont but i dont know find someone else to pose as you, usually they dont ask for ID anymore.

have them pay the membership for a year

the keycard system pops up with our picture so the front desk attendant can verify that it is you

 

[bigguns078]

I used to be a gym manager.. There are ways out of your contract.. Relocation is usually one of them.. We were affiliated with other gyms.. So if you relocated, you could permanently use one of our affiliated gyms.. IF you were not located within 20 miles of an affiliated gym, then you would be refuneded the rest of your membership.. Also, if you died.. You membership would have been terminated without any fees..

Look in your original contract.. Im sure there are clauses in there.. Probably in the small fine print.. The manager should be willing to discuss your options..

 

[triathloncoach]

Out of membership

Check out the relocation clause. If that doesn't work you can always tell your credit card company that your card was stolen. They will cancel that card. The gym can no longer charge you. (I believe you can also do something similar if they are debiting a bank account) I strongly believe (IMO) that this will not go on your credit report. I have looked at THOUSANDS of credit reports and I have never seen a lien from a gym. Never ever. The gym will call you and ask for the new card number and then hound you for collections. But not $70 a month of hounding in my opinion. And it will be fun to laugh at the gym when they call.

 

[Ironraider]

As shared above, relocation is a normal out of a contract, within a certain mile radius. At worst, the normal penalty is a certain monetary amount, like $75.00 or what have you, and it should be stated in your contract. I would go to the manager/owner and explain your situation and ask for a recommendation on what steps are needed. It very well could be mapped out in your contract.

I have heard of people who were members of a large fitness chain, who did move, and cancelled their membership because there were no clubs in their new city. However, the fitness company kept drawing from their account on a monthly bases. Just keep an eye on your bank account, or change it all together when you move.

God bless...

 

[michelin]

Tell them that your personal circumstances have changed (you're not obliged to give further details) and that you can no longer afford to pay as it will put you in debt. No-one has the right to make you go into debt and they will have no choice but to stop charging you.

In the current financial climate ther are loads of people doing this anyway. Plus, when you signed up for a 2 year membership you had no way of envisaging your finances today.

This will work

 

[Pekkerwood]

Jrs:

Contrary to some posted above, they do have a right to collect their debt. They do not care that your "personal situation has changed".

A lot of contracts have an "out" for relocation more than "x" miles away. State laws also vary on gym contracts. Please understand that many gyms sell your contract to third party firms to get up front. This is a little less prevalent as the bundling and securitization market for these bundled instruments is not as robust as it once was. They are basically billing/collection agencies. Some of the largest collection firms in the United States do billing for gyms.

Without knowing your state and your specific contract it is impossible for anyone to steer you with anything other than general advice.

Do not allow this to harm your credit. I assure you in todays climate if this hits your credit you would gladly pay $70 a month to make it go away if you have good credit.

 

[drwost]

There may be a medical way out. But you'd need a Doctor to verify that you have a medical condition that prohibits you from that form of excercise...

 

[optgrowth]

I used to be a gym manager.. There are ways out of your contract.. Relocation is usually one of them.. We were affiliated with other gyms.. So if you relocated, you could permanently use one of our affiliated gyms.. IF you were not located within 20 miles of an affiliated gym, then you would be refuneded the rest of your membership.. Also, if you died.. You membership would have been terminated without any fees..

Look in your original contract.. Im sure there are clauses in there.. Probably in the small fine print.. The manager should be willing to discuss your options..

Former Bally's Manager too, huh?

 

[Capone]

Former Bally's Manager too, huh?

God..I hate Bally's.

anyway....Michelin is wrong and pekkerwood is 100% right. They don't care what your financial situation is! WTF is that? Whoever thinks that can void a contract simply by basically saying..."I can't afford it now, sorry" isn't the sharpest knife in the box! and that's putting it politely. This is one of the reasons why our country is in such massive debt..... because of all the people like this that buy shit before realizing they can't afford it! and the have the balls to say some shit like..."You can't make me pay b/c I can't afford it."

If that were the case ALL contracts would be worthless and all lending institutions would go under. Horrible advice.

They have every right to try and obtain their funds regardless of your personal situation. Whether they choose to go the legal route or report you to Transunion or any other credit entity is their choice.

I have cancelled contracts before due to the "moving" claus there was no other gym within the 20 miles so I would go that route. Although they didn't make it easy!!! Everything has to be submitted in writing and they have to double check to be sure they dont have another club in your new area that they can put you in b/c they sure as hell won't take ur word for it. I don't blame them.

Point is...I'm sure you can get out of it, but do it the right away. Use the fine print.

C.

 

[617ricky]

No-one has the right to make you go into debt and they will have no choice but to stop charging you.

When you sign a contract you are totally liable, and saying you just can't afford it is definitely not a good enough answer..

 

[michelin]

Whoa, sorry for my 'advice', I was speaking from personal experience of someone I know who hit a bad patch and used this 'get-out'.

OBVIOUSLY things are different here in the UK.

There was no bad intention to mislead anyone on my behalf and I dont think it warranted your response Capone but you carry on if thats how you conduct yourself

Lending institutions are changing some of their operating procedures to help out those who now find themselves in strife because of the economic climate and this was the direction of my original reply.

 

[HOTROCKS]

Cash out!
There is always a way to get out of a contract.
There maybe something in there that they have defaulted on.
Also! You can just tell them to either take “x” amount of money and be happy or nothing.
Also talk to the Top Dog of the company.
They are the ones who can make those decisions.
There is always room for negotiating.
Or you can just default on the contract and deal with the credit report at a later time.
That is if they actually send it to the reporting agency.
If they do it is easy to arbitrate it at that level.
Which will require a lot on their part, and only a letter on yours?
Most companies rather drop it than fool around and waste time with it.
One thing that is for sure, the only way I would communicate with creditor would be USPS certified mail with return receipt.
In addition, according to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act once you have sent a certified letter to the recording agency the creditor has only thirty days to reply or their report is history .
And from my experience they never reply in time.
It takes a lot of resources to handle such a thing in just thirty days.

Good Luck

 

[Capone]

Whoa, sorry for my 'advice', I was speaking from personal experience of someone I know who hit a bad patch and used this 'get-out'.

OBVIOUSLY things are different here in the UK.

There was no bad intention to mislead anyone on my behalf and I dont think it warranted your response Capone but you carry on if thats how you conduct yourself

Lending institutions are changing some of their operating procedures to help out those who now find themselves in strife because of the economic climate and this was the direction of my original reply.

Ok.....let me apologize michelin if that came off a bit harsh, but our society (USA...can't speak for the UK)is becoming more and more accustomed to ducking out of our responsibilities (credit card debt, car debt, etc) and not following things through for whatever reason.

Can't afford it......can, but don't want to pay for it.....can, but too lazy to work to pay for it.....technicality in contract......etc.

and lots of people seem to think that this is perfectly ok, which is part of the reason we're at where we're at in regards to the economy.

That being said.....they're are lots of legitimate situations (ur friend having a bad patch maybe being one of them) that deserve a concession/break. However, I would honestly say those "legitimate situations" are under 50% tho. The rest are just people who have no regard for their financial situation and overspend without any compunction.

Hotrocks: Getting the TOP DOG to talk with you might be easier said then done. If it's a monster corp......I'm sure you know he/she wouldn't give you/me/whoever the time of day. We're piss-ons to them.

...and it doesn't take a lot of effort at all to report a debt to an agency. barely any actually. Hell.....all large companies have a legal dept specifically for this. This is what they do every day.

You are correct though...you can tell them to take what you'll give them or tough shit, but be prepared to satisfy that debt if you ever decide to buy a home or buy a new home. Especially today, underwriters for mortgage companies are a pain in the ass and they won't push the loan through if you have that blemish on your credit.

 

[Big Bapper]

Tell them you heard some gym members were using steroids and that you refuse to be around pumped up steroid inflated monsters.

That way there is also a chanch you will get you full membrship back if you say you are going to tell everyone about your experences at the gym.




I serously would not know, over here you would just not go back I think.

 

[scrapper13]

There may be a medical way out. But you'd need a Doctor to verify that you have a medical condition that prohibits you from that form of excercise...

I believe this is probably your best option. I was able to stop my payments in the past with a note from a doctor and there was no limit to how long i could have my membership on freeze for. so maybe you could just do that and then never go back..i mean because your injury wouldnt allow you to ofcourse

 

[tkav1980]

If you moving thats your way out. or just get a doctor to write a note explaining that you can no longer exercise. they will then release you from your contract.

 

[jrs]

Tell them you heard some gym members were using steroids and that you refuse to be around pumped up steroid inflated monsters.

That way there is also a chanch you will get you full membrship back if you say you are going to tell everyone about your experences at the gym.

I can't afford to see a doctor without insurance here. Honestly this may be my best bet lmao. I cant wait to see their reactions if this is what I decide to do.

 

[sadie]

i was in a contract and moved out of the state also. talk to the manager.. mine just asked me to mail proof of relocation and they would waive the rest of the contract. I brought in my change of address stuff from the PO and she was satisfied with that. its worth a shot