I want to cancel my Jiu Jitsu membership. I offered to pay an early termination fee of $100 or so, but they

Question

said there was no such thing. They said I could pay the balance which is 6 months at $99 and another 6 months at $129. I've only been going there 1 month, but don't like it.

In the contract it said I could cancel if my doctor says I'll be out for 3 months. It also said I can cancel if I move more that 25 miles away. However, I don't want to lie.

Shouldn't I have the option of paying an early termination fee, instead of the rest of the balance for 11 months?

Please help!

Thanx :)

Answer 1

Some states have laws that grant you the right to cancel this type of membership w/o a fee. First (TODAY!) send a certified letter (with receipt) to them saying that you are exercising your right to cancel w/o penalty under {insert your state name here} law. If they challenge you, you'll have to actually see if your state has such a law. More than likely they will back down.

Answer 2

well once you 'd pay them there is no return!!  

Answer 3

The sad truth is that what is stated in the contract is binding on both parties to that contract. Take the contract to a solicitor and ask if there is a way out for you within that contract. That way you will have a better idea of your next course of action. If the only way out is by moving more than 25miles away, I would use that. Does the contract state for how long you have to have moved away? If not then you are in luck. All you have to do is move into another place of residence more than 25 miles away ( a friends house perhaps). Notify your change of address using one email  sent to these people (who are demanding that you fulfill the terms of the contract), with copies of that email going to your bank, the post office, your employer, family friends etc etc etc. In the email state that as you have now moved more than 25 miles away (from your previous address, or their establishment - this must be as stated in the contract) you are now terminating the contract as per that clause therein. Wait and see what they do. If you have not heard from them withing ten days, send them a letter terminating the contract, referring to your previous email( use registered mail with delivery receipt).

Then stop paying. If the contract specified a number of days then just remain that number of days away and then terminate the contract in writing.   Good Luck and next time you are thinking of doing something like this just say  that you are not willing to sign a contract just yet but will try it out for a few weeks at a time first. Quite frankly, we should never have to sign a contract such as this. What expense are they incurring  for you that requires you to sign a contract? Have they given you any equipment to take home and use? They already have the overheads of the business (rent, wages etc) whether or not you go there. I assume that they did not engage a special instructor just for you. So why should you or anybody else have to sign a contract to use their services. Why could you not pay per lesson and be done with it. These business people know that very many customers like you will get fed up and not come back. This is why they get you to sign a contract when you are all fired up and keen to start.

Quite frankly, I would advse you to even go down that track where your doctor states that as you put it '...be out for 3 months'.

Answer 4

yeah you should.

Answer 5

Well, if the contract states what you said, and nothing applies to you, then you're gonna have to respect the contract and pay the remainder