Fitness centres must be transparent |
Tuesday, 24 March 2015 10:12 |
While it is cool to have membership at the fitness centre, many do not realise the implication that may derive from the membership. When there is a lack of understanding as to the obligations of the members toward the centre, it would then give rise to a dispute between the parties. Before customers obtain the membership, they will be furnished with a contract upon the application. The contract shall expressly states all the terms and conditions that should be abided by the parties. The most common misunderstanding that fitness centre’s members have is that they do not have to pay if the facilities at the centre were not utilised. In other words, they have a thought that they are not obliged to make any payment if they never go to the centre. When the reminder comes knocking at the door, the members would then start to panic on what they should do next do avoid any legal action from being taken against them. The National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) received 482 complaints against fitness centres alone and the above is one of the common complaints received Consumers at large should know that contract should not be taken lightly irrespective of its function and purpose. The contract must be perused thoroughly in order to obtain a good understanding as to the underlying responsibilities and obligations brought by the contract itself. As long as members place their signature on the membership contract, they will be deemed to have agreed and understood all the terms and conditions in the contract. According to Contract Act 1950, the parties to the contract will be bound by all the terms and conditions contained therein. Therefore, everyone should have a clear picture as to their intention when signing up for the membership. For those who are unable to frequently spend their time for work outs, it is advisable to not sign up for the membership because it would only entail a situation of less benefit with more liability. Whereas for the members who are having difficulties to go to the fitness centre and utilise the benefit after some periods, they are encouraged to request for a termination of the membership in order to stop any further obligation to make payment. Source:FMT LETTER |