What are the laws for 1 year contracts in regards to gym memberships?

[TESLAMotors]

I was told by a friend that they're not allowed to do contracts anymore and thought that was not the case, but he insists?
Anyone know definitively or otherwise?

 

[TESLAMotors]

Nevermind, had time to do a quick search, first try. :hippie:
For anyone else https://www.ontario.ca/page/joining-gym-or-fitness-club

THIS is great to know.
You have a 10 day cooling-off period
You have the right to cancel a membership within 10 days of receiving a written copy of your contract. You don’t need a reason to cancel. All you need to do is to provide notice to the supplier.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Gyms have one of the worst results when it comes to reporting bad business practices and it's so bad the gov't put in specific changes to the legislation and information on their website. Auto garages are the same.

Interesting that it doesn't explicitly say what happens if you cancel during the first 10 days. Do you pay anything for that time? I'd be surprised if a gym is going to voluntarily let you work out for free. Normally they have a day rate that I suspect they'd try to charge you. That said, the spirit of the gov't website seems to say it's absolutely free for 10 days (i.e., you can cancel without any charges).

I can just imagine the shenanigans they pull when you tell them the gym isn't for you and you want them to refund ALL of your money...

 

[dirkd101]

Tesla gave you a good link. Also; http://www.ontario.ca/page/your-rights-under-consumer-protection-act

Inside the CPA you'll find everything you need in order to cancel a contract. With gyms, you might find that they have been negligent in several areas and are in breach, so it is easy to get out of your contract.

I was successful in doing so, it took time and patience.

Here's more; http://www.isthatlegal.ca/index.php?name=personal_development_services.consumer_law#Early Consumer Cancellation

http://www.ontario.ca/page/your-rights-when-signing-or-cancelling-contract

http://www.canlii.org/en/on/laws/stat/so-2002-c-30-sch-a/latest/so-2002-c-30-sch-a.html

http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02c30

Pay attention to Part 1 sect 4 and 5

Check Part 3


Part 4 sections 20, 29-35, 41-43.1

A quick question. Are you in possession of a contract that you have signed and a representative from that gym has signed and dated?

 

[GPIDEAL]

On another note, can a tanning salon keep your prepaid session(s) after a year if unused?

 

[twizz]

I've always read the fine print and have never got stuck in a contract. I was at Wynn nlw I'm at Snap.

 

[Primetime21]

I do the inputting of new contracts, as well as checking for any NSF bank payments or declined CC payments for a gym that's been around for 30 years. Definitely read the fine print. At the gym I work for, if you sign up for a year contract, unless you give written notice at the end of that year the payments will continue to come out of your account or CC till you stop them. You'd be surprised how many people just stop coming but don't realize the payments continue to come out of their account.

 

[DanJ]

Gyms have one of the worst results when it comes to reporting bad business practices and it's so bad the gov't put in specific changes to the legislation and information on their website. Auto garages are the same.

Interesting that it doesn't explicitly say what happens if you cancel during the first 10 days. Do you pay anything for that time? I'd be surprised if a gym is going to voluntarily let you work out for free. Normally they have a day rate that I suspect they'd try to charge you. That said, the spirit of the gov't website seems to say it's absolutely free for 10 days (i.e., you can cancel without any charges).

I can just imagine the shenanigans they pull when you tell them the gym isn't for you and you want them to refund ALL of your money...

While you can cancel within 10 days of joining, you do pay your first payment upon signing, and if you do cancel, you likely can't force a refund of more than a pro-rated amount of that first payment. You wouldn't be on the hook for future payments.