Forum Topic

Topnotch health club

In early 2009 my daughter was offered a place by her school, Green School, on a free programme at Topnotch Health Club, Great West Road, opposite Sainsbury's Homebase.  She went on this 6 week programme, which she enjoyed, and then wanted to join the gym.  I joined the gym for her in March 2009, and told them it was for only 6 months, as she was going to a different school for 6th form.  She stopped going to the gym in August 2009.About three weeks ago I was upset to see on my bank statements that my direct debit to Topnotch had continued since August 2009.  This meant that I had wasted over £700, which we can't afford!  I stopped my direct debit, but was then upset and annoyed to receive a letter saying I needed to give a month's notice and so owed them another £39.95.  After many attempts to speak to the membership administrator, I was told that I had to pay.  Of course, I understand about terms and conditions and so on, but my daughter was 15 when I joined for her, and I explained that we only wanted a 6 month membership as she was going to a 6th form in Acton.  I think it would have been a good gesture to have waived the £39.95 as we have lost so much money.

Sasha Corcashvili ● 5281d8 Comments

Whilst I don't agree with the tactics (probably second only to mobile phone tarifs) I think you will find that what you agreed to was an open ended contract for a minimum term of 12 months that could be terminated any time after 12 months by giving the appropriate notice. People often think they have signed up for a fixed term contract of 12 months but they haven't.The best way round this for future reference is to join and then immediately give notice of terminating the contract in 12 months time.As a business practice it is no different to the contracts used by digital TV companies and even utilities.

Sara Dodd ● 5279d

Topnotch are always the delighted to support the Christmas Lights Fund every year, they support the St Georges Day Celebrations, are members of the Business Watch and act with integrity and financial support.

Simon Groves ● 5279d

"and act with integrity"I beg to differ - take issue with them and see how they behave then when they set their attack dogs on you. But then I suppose as they give a few bob to these local things that entitles them to c**p all over people. Have you got shares in them?

Vanessa Smith ● 5279d

Topnotch are always the delighted to support the Christmas Lights Fund every year, they support the St Georges Day Celebrations, are members of the Business Watch and act with integrity and financial support.

Simon Groves ● 5280d

Dear Sasha,Having read your recent post I would like to respond as follows:All membership terms and conditions are clearly explained at the point of sale. Membership terms and conditions are also clearly written on the form and on the form that bears your signature it states:“6 month minimum membership at £39.95 a month to roll over until one calendar month notice is given”Based on this you did not give us one calendar months notice and based on the fact that you signed the form you were happy to accept these terms and conditions at the point of sale.I can appreciate that you daughter did not use the club from August onwards and we do try to encourage our members to use the club through contacting them at the point of dropping out. However there comes a point in time where members have to be responsible for themselves and all that we have asked you to do is to provide us with notice that wish to cancel which you failed to do.I would also like to point out that your daughter was 16 at the point of taking out a membership as date of birth states this on the application form.I am disappointed that you have had to make a public post to suggest that we have acted inappropriately in handling your daughters’ membership. From joining her up with your consent we have done nothing wrong. We have treated yourself as we would have any other member who signs up for an agreement and cancels without the notice that is agreed to at the point of sale.Before my public reply to your original post I did send you a private email via TW8 to ask you for more information to investigate your claims. I did not receive a response so I only feel that it is right (after investigation) to post our perspective and document the facts as well as the terms and conditions that were signed for and agreed at the point of transaction.Phil HallBusiness ManagerTopnotch Health Club

Phil Hall ● 5280d

Without meaning to sound harsh (and not in any way in defence of the gym), I'm somewhat bemused that on the one hand you say you couldn't afford the gym payments, yet on the other you apparently failed to notice an fairly sizeable direct debit going out your bank account every month from August 2009 until just recently.

Adam Beamish ● 5280d

I'd ask them for the whole lot back, less the 6 months used. If you've evidence that the club knew it was only for 6 months and it was an implied term of the contract then I'd be tempted to pop over to Brentford County Court, fill in a small claims action to claim the whole lot back and take it from there. They'll usually compromise and settle out of court, worth the relatively small fee to initiate the proceedings and cosst are unlikely to be awarded against you if you fail. In any event if they don't settle I imagine the hearing registrar or whoever would be sympathetic  - argue that a minor is involved etc .

Ken Collins ● 5281d

These gyms are an absolute con. My son has had no end of trouble with them, Top Notch, LA Fitness, Gold's etc. You have a one year contract - well, a year to most of us is 365 days or twevle months or 52 weeks, but apparently not to these scam merchants, they insist on this 3 month notice - why? A year is a year is a year, one of these outfits even broke its own contract and still tried to get more money - when you take issue with their demands, they then put this in the hands of extremely dubious and threatening cowboy 'debt collectors'. If you 'Google' these yobs you will see the complete history of the tactics employed by these thugs. Stand firm tell them you'll see them in court - which is usually at the other end of the country - and tell them you'll print off the reams of complaints on the websites about their harrassment and threats to people so that the Judge can see what they are up to. These are just small groups of bully boys usually operating out of someone's garage that try it on - that what we'd think of as fairly reputable firms would deign to employ them is amazing. Why on earth you need any notice when someone only takes out a one year contract is quite beyond me - surely it speaks for itself -but then, think of the money they've conned out of a lot of people. Stand firm tell them to get stuffed, and be prepared to put up with a lot of their crap, do not give in. We have never yet paid any of these outfits a penny.

Vanessa Smith ● 5281d