Under 18, 12 month gym contract

[malfunkshun]

I'd presume your parents would have to sign on your behalf?

This, my second eldest tried to sign up to the local gym (council leisure centre) and they asked me to sign a 12 month agreement because he is 17. 12 months direct debit on a £40 a month membership for something I doubt he would use more than .... 5 times, the response was less than positive.

 

[Haggisman]

Well a gym raped me and murdered my family.

That must be nice for you, I'm assuming by your responses you work for a gym

 

[Macky]

You get mummy to sign for you.

 

[One More Solo]

That must be nice for you, I'm assuming by your responses you work for a gym

I used to work for one but if I was to define my position I would say that I certainly don't support or promote gyms, but I am a big fan of personal responsibility and that is in massively short supply at the moment. I'd argue the same position over phone contracts for example.

I won't reveal who I used to work for but I will say that we were never asked or expected to do anything underhanded. I did however have to deal with an inordinate number of rude people who were too stupid to read what they had signed.

If some gyms are doing things which are clearly illegal that's one thing, but I have absolutely zero sympathy for people that don't read the small print or make stupid decisions.

 

[semi-pro waster]

Yeah as far as I'm aware, contracts aren't enforceable for under 18s.

Partially correct but not quite the whole story, at least under Scots law (and quite possibly under English law too). Contracts signed by those under 18 can be set aside if they are prejudicial (and not in the course of business as that's a whole 'nother ball game) as the person under 18 is thought to be more likely to sign up to a contract that would be to their detriment - they're essentially not acting with full capacity. If you do want a contract set aside then you've got to go to court to do so.

However under 18s enter into contracts all the time, try getting on a bus and you enter into a contract for travel, no words even need be exchanged and yet there's still a legally binding contract that has been formed. The main stipulations as far as I recall are that it must be of a manner and type that would not be unusual for someone of that age and it must not be unduly prejudicial.

I certainly wouldn't be relying on the potential option of having the contract set aside because it wasn't quite what you wanted - have a think about it and if you don't want to sign up to the terms in the contract then walk away rather than hoping a court will take the same view as you do, nevermind the expense and inconvenience of pursuing the matter through court anyway.