Slightly over egging the title of the post to grab attention but I’ll fill you in on the whole story. Don’t worry, it’s not a long story.
I joined Bannatynes years ago, probably 4 or 5, it’s been so long I can’t really remember. When I joined I signed the usual contract. Minimum period of 12 months meaning I would have to pay for 12 months whether I liked it or not, direct debit had to be set up, if I miss a payment they cancel the membership yadda yadda yadda. The other bit in the contract, as with most gym memberships I suspect, was…
3 months notice.
Now I can remember reading it, I can remember thinking it was quite long and I can also remember signing the contract. That means I’ve got no-one but myself to blame.
Now I find myself in the position where I have to cancel my membership. I don’t particularly want to since I like the gym. Mainly friendly staff, a few good instructors, the gym staff are less than useless and might as well not be there but otherwise I was pretty happy. The reason I’m changing gyms is because I’m changing jobs. My last day at the Big P is April 3rd and I start at Headshift on April 15th. Since the commute is 8 times as long it means I have to re-jig my day and try and squeeze the gym in around lunchtime.
So after 5 years of pretty happy gym membership I’m leaving Bannatynes with a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ve given about a months notice which means they’ll get 2 months of gym membership fees from me for nothing. That’s £90 I’ll be forking out for nothing.
I’m not that pissed off but I just wonder why Bannatynes feel the need to screw the last dregs out of their good customers. Why 3 months notice? What do they need to plan for that takes 3 months? How come I only have to give 1 month notice to work and then 3 months to my gym.
It all seems a little weird to me.
So as I look around for a new gym up in London I’ll be keeping an eye on the small print. My intention is to start pushing gyms for more appropriate terms. Maybe if we all start calling their bluff on this one they may change their minds. I doubt it but it’s worth a go.