Ashbourne Management Services Solihull

[cave man mk]

My girlfriend & I are currently in a battle with Ashbourne (AMS). It’s clearly not a good sign there are so many others with the same problem, but its comforting to know were not alone. Address: PO BOX 10920, Shirley, Solihull, B90 8YB (to make sure we’re talking about the same company).

My girlfriend joined Body Lab in Bletchley about a year ago. At the time of joining she was told the contract could be terminated via one months notice or transfer the membership to another person.

My girlfriend has since stopped using the gym due to work commitments, she contacted the gym to give one months leaving notice. She was confronted with a torrent of abuse and told in no uncertain terms she couldn’t. Even saying such comments as ‘if your pregnant you still cant leave’ or ‘its like saying you have a new born to look after and cant make it to the gym’. They abruptly and rudely said she would have to continue paying no matter what as there is a signed contract.

The only way to relieve the contract was to move at least 15miles away showing utility bills to prove it or the sales agreement from selling her house. My girlfriend was thinking of moving to Flitwick due to personal circumstances and would have been paying rent only; the home owner paying the bills and so forth. It was then agreed car insurance and passport could be used.

When calling AMS to confirm they insulted her by saying a girl of that age would not be in this position and must continue paying no matter what. With no luck she contacted AMS at a later date to be greeted with yet more abuse from their staff.

So I have been in contact with Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and they are asking if Lou would fill in a questionnaire & possibly be a witness against AMS in court. I would urge anyone else to get in contact with the OFT so they have the best possible case to stop them trading.

I want to write a letter to AMS stating that we will no longer be paying them anymore money, so hopefully I will be able to post on her some good news soon.

If anyone has any advice on the best way to go about this please feel free to get in contact me.

 

Thanks

[maroondevo52]

Hi, cave man mk.

 

I've moved this thread to the appropriate Forum.

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

[slick132]

Hi Caveman,

 

Do you a contract or agreement that confirms what Initial Membership Period you joined for. With Ashbourne, this can be up to 36 months !

 

Read this about the case being brought against Ashbourne by the OFT - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?289465-Office-of-Fair-Trading-v-Ashbourne-Management-Services-9th.March-2011

 

Also, read this thread about another Ashbourne case - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?291124-Ashbourne-management

 

You may find something useful to your case in the above linked threads.

 

Rather than talk to them by phone, keep everything in writing. If you don't speak to them, they cannot be rude and offensive in the way you've reported above.

 

I would tackle this differently, using a letter similar to the one I drafted on RosieJones thread. Instead of arguing about how you were told you could cancel easily by the staff, tell the gym you now understand they are the defendant in a High Court case brought against them by the OFT. Say you will pay nothing further until the case is concluded as you believe their m/ship contract may be invalid and/or unfair.

 

Tell them the matter is in clear dispute and, if they make any further demands for payment, you will report them to the FOS for clear breach of the OFT Debt Collection Guidelines.

 

Keep us updated.

 

8-)

[sir_gilmour]

Hi

Welcome to The Consumer Action Group.

 

 

I am just letting you know that as you haven't had any replies to your post yet, it might be better if you post your message again in an appropriate sub-forum. You will get lots of help there.

 

Also take some time to read around the forum and get used to the layout. It is a big forum and takes a lot of getting used to.

 

 

Once you start to find your way, you will soon realise that it is fairly easy to get round and to get the help you need.

 

It can be bit confusing at first.