We have been members of the David Lloyd sports centre in Cambridge since 2015 but did not want to renew our annual subscription (it was due to expire on 1 June) because we are leaving the country. In March, David Lloyd sent us a letter stating “To ensure your membership continues seamlessly, please make your payment before the end of this month”. I interpreted this to mean that, unless I paid, our membership would lapse – which is exactly what we wanted. Nowhere did it mention I should give them three months’ notice if I wanted to cancel. It now claims my contract specified this, and is asking for a payment equal to three months’ fees – £500.
They have refused to acknowledge that their letter was, at best, misleading and, at worst, inaccurate. They are refusing to budge. NB, Cambridge
As we have seen in the past, it can almost be easier to leave the mafia than some UK gym firms. Happily, David Lloyd has relented, and is allowing you to leave penalty-free as a gesture of goodwill.
The moral of the tale? Always check the terms and conditions, and cancel as they stipulate you should. It was little rash making such an assumption, but we can see why you came to that conclusion.
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