Comments on: Taking issue with Jackie Skelly

By: Cath

Cath — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:49:18 +0000

Hi,

i’m currently taking them to the small claims court – basically they verbally told me i could sign for a four month membersip as I was only looking for a short term option. Long after the 4 month period elapsed, I discovered they were still taking payents..

I wrote to them but they claimed they were within their rights – as the contract stipulated 28 days notice for cancellation of all contracts – including ones clearly marketed as ‘4 month membership’

So following my complaint in April for a membership which shoudl have automatically lapsed in November, for which they were ’sorry’ but they were within their rights, a payment was taken in May and again in June. When I complained about this, they said they would refund the June one – if I gave them my laser details – over the phone.

Well reading the posts above the last thing I would do is give them my laser details.. Sudddenly now its going to their ‘legal’ department that has mysterioslu appeared..

So even if I get the June payment back, they will have taken over €700 for a purported 4 month contract.. So its going to court.. 10 months payment and 4 months only were used..

The letter of the law. re cancellation and spirit of the law i.e. fair terms – i coudl have paid more atention to the written contract but to penalise me for a further six months? Unbelievable for a health club..

Be very afraid..

By: Noel

Noel — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:23:59 +0000

Re: Jackie Skelly Fitness, Ballsbridge – I took out a 4 month membership in 01/2010. They were to confirm this to me by email but never did but I did write to them in 01/10 to confirm that this was the basis of my membership. I paid them €195 over the 4 months & then stopped the direct debit. They have now harrassed me by phone/email & letter deaming another €395. I never once used their gym or even obtained a membership card. I was thinking of taking them to the Small Claims Court under “Quantum Meruit”, basically that I am only liable for the services that I have consumed but not for any further services. In this case, I have consumed no services whatsoever, so it is you that owes me money & not the other way around.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:36:05 +0000

Poor customer service and a refusal to update or maintain their equipment on a regular basis, added to poor cleanliness standars is probably wht the club is in receivership at the moment. They calim falling new member sales is the reason for their falling profits, well maybe if they addressed the above issues they might find their memberships increasing. They also need to look at their pricing. Given the poor standards in service and staff, you would wonder how they have the neck to charge the prices they do. They must be amoungst the most expensive in the country. Poor value if you ask me..

By: darragh

darragh — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:31:30 +0000

well , i have a small advice 4 people who thinks of joining a gym , as we all know these people they have the best sales guys & the worst personal trainers . they invest well in sales & lawyers but not in equipment & customer service : when u want to join do ask 2 know the minimum period of time u joinin 4 : usually it is 12 months , do not take it , ask 4 “6″ months probably they will tell u it is not possible or more expensive , walk away , they will call u back . that’s what they r paid 4 .get the deal u want not the deal they give u . and if u have any special deal get them to give u a written copy or just write it in the application form “contract” and KEEP A COPY .if u dealing with cancellation forms hand it in , it is your best option get a member of staff 2 sign it & GET A COPY . & pleeeease do not make your new year resolution 2 join gym . do not join a gym in January as u wont get anything , that is when the prices go up , do it in December or November or any other time “end of the month” will b the ideal time .

By: Jacques

Jacques — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:19:44 +0000

I suspect that the number of victims of the JS scam may be in the thousands rather than the hundreds. I’m interested in one particular aspect – collecting money using members’ credit cards without their permission or knowledge. Any idea where we punters can find a straightforward explanation of the law governing this? Also, is there a mechanism for blacklisting merchants who repeatedly misuse customers credit cards.

By: David

David — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:43:57 +0000

I lived in the US for 7 years and the gyms there are very like JS. JS obviously uses US gyms as a model. What the sales people promise verbally is always different to what the reality is.

However, for those people who sign up willingly to a 12 month contract and simply decide “oh, I’m too lazy so I’ll cancel”, why is it that its ok to cancel a gym membership but the same people wouldn’t dare cancel a 12 month contract with their mobile phone or cable provider? People seem to think gym membership should be free, not realising that gyms are one of the highest costing businesses to run. As an example, how much do you think a commercial treadmill costs? Wrong!! They cost from around €8,000 to €9,500 for ONE. So, either read the terms and conditions of the gym you are joining and make sure all communications with them are in writing OR don’t join a gym. A tip is that most gyms that have sales teams (the US model) see you as a sales commission and will say anything to get you to join – so go to “non-brand” gyms where you will most likely meet the manager on a regular basis.

By: Danni

Danni — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:16:59 +0000

I have been a member of Jackie Skelly for 6 weeks i’ve only had one meeting with a Personal trainer. I was guaranteed results in twelve weeks. I was down there Monday and my car was broken into and my handbag stolen(my handbag was out of view to people unless they actually made a point in looking for it). Another womans car was broken into, and i’ve been informed that there’s been about 20 cars done in their car park over the last few months. They have no CCTV no security, no warning signs. And now for the best part they are saying it’s not a reason for cancelling. Sorry let me rephrase that Teresa from Customer Service quoted “Whatever, that’s not a valid reason for cancelling.” It’s absolutely disgraceful they reckon i’ll have to pay for the rest of the year.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:58:14 +0000

It is not enough to cancel the direct debit at the bank as i found out today. Having cancelled my membership last month (after 12 months) I also cancelled the direct debit at the bank. Well they presented the direct debit yesterday and the bank honoured it. According to my bank they (JS) must submit the direct debit cancellation. I argued this with the bank insisting they are acting on my behalf with my money but apparently this is not the case, they act on behalf of J. Skelleys and as technically i am still in contract with them, they have every right to take the dd.

By: Kamel Ben Madhi

Kamel Ben Madhi — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:54:23 +0000

I joined Jackie Skelly and quickly figured out I made a mistake. When joining I told them I need to freeze my membership over the summer for 4 months and they told me “No problem, you are free to do so. Just give us a notice”. When I informed them to freeze my membership they told me that there is an “ADMINISTRATION FEE” for 45 EUROS. Well, I hope that freezing a membership is not a rocket science or is it as per JK terms and conditions. More than that, the extreme bad customer services for the staff called “JENNY”. She’s totally unfriendly.

Don’t do the same mistake. Don’t joint JS and don’t believe whatever they tell you. The NCA should step up and give them a real warning.

By: EAMON

EAMON — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:51:19 +0000

It is frightening the number of comments about Jackie Skelly gym. I am only surprised that people ignore them and continue to join even though there is a credit crunch on. It is no wonder Jackie Skelly is expanding and opening more branches. People have only themselves to blame.