Hi there
about a week ago, i received a letter from a debt collection agency called 'Regal Credit Consultants' asking for £476 and their client is Leisure Connection Limited.
My question is Why and How? :S
I don't own my gym any money what so ever... I haven't used their services for about 6 months now so i cancelled the direct debit on them. Fair enough, i was in a contract but can they actually do anything?
In the letter, it states "...This may result in us recommending to our client that legal action is taken against you which will add further interest and legal costs to your debt..."
What do you all suggest i do? Im only a student, buried under student loans and have a part time job which is only enough for my Car insurance every month and phone contract.
Answers & Comments
Regal Consultants
Regal Credit are trying it on. If you must write to them, don't sign the letter. They are not beyond faking signatures. If you do write though, ask them to provide you with the original credit agreement signed by you, proof that they are authorised to collect this debt and a copy of their complaints procedure and a breakdown of their charges. I doubt you will hear from them again. What will happen though, in a few months another debt collecting agency will start writing.
If they phone, DO NOT give any information over the phone. As soon as they ask for you, demand to know who they are and what they want. They won't tell you so inform them that you don't discuss personal matters with people who won't identify themselves, nor can they prove who they are.
It is highly unlikely that a court case will happen.
Follow the link below and read up what they can and cannot do. Debt collectors tell lies. They will steal from you. They will add charges to the debt illegally. And you will find more and more debt collectors will try and collect the same debt, claiming that they are all clients of your gym. If you are not smart, they will have you paying off this debt several times over to different debt collectors.
Write the letter as I have suggested and then ignore any further correspondence.
Read this:
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthr...
If you were in a contract with Leisure Connection Limited and you cancelled the direct debit without fulfilling your side of the contract they can send a debt collection agency after you. If this happens, you will have to pay not only what you owed them but also the debt collection agency's fees and any legal costs. You need to get in touch with them and sort it out as soon as possible, the longer you leave it, the more it will cost you,
Regal Credit
If you signed a contract for a certain length of time and then cancel your direct debit before that time is up, whether you use the gym or not, you are liable for the funds. Whilst I appreciate you think you cannot afford this luxury, the gym wont be interested and will take you to small claims court. You will end up with a judgement against you if this is the case. Ring the gym and speak with them telling them your situation and see if they will be lenient in this case.
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Make sure that all correspondence with Regal is sent by post, recorded delivery and keep a copy for your own records. Then you always know what you've said and the terms that they give you.
Their address is-
PO Box 587
Bagshot
GU19 5YU
If you must speak to them on the phone, try to record the call.
Ooops cancelling a DD does not strike out the contract you made. Sadly they will pursue you for their (about) 6 months fees. Contracts are legally binding.
They have done something. You have signed a contract most probably for a year and you stopped paying. You are now in Breach of Contract and they want their money. Next stage is they can take you to Court.
Just ignore it. But if you do want to respond, explain the situation, and state that if you don't receive a reply within 10 days, or whatever the say in their letter, you will understand the matter is resolved and closed.
They will not reply in time. So the matter is resolved. It's called a tacit agreement and is legal.