Gym's creche policy, I don't think IABU, but would appreciate others views!

[MolesBreathless]

I have a small baby, so when I joined the gym about 6 months ago, the creche arrangements were top of my list of requirements. The 'membership consultant' very clearly told me that I could either 'pay as you go' for each session as I used them, or purchase a 'pre pay' pass that gave you a small discount on the usual hourly rate. If you choose to buy a pass, it comes with a standard 10 hours worth of creche time. The pass expires 3 months after purchase with no refund for unused time.

The first time I took DS to the creche (about 6 months ago), there was no issue at all, the staff explained the above to me and I bought a pass as I expected to use the gym quite frequently. They were very happy for me to either pay for the stand alone session or buy a pass.

I also do another (outdoor) sport so I didn't end up using the remaining creche hours within the 3 months so it expired. No big deal, I understood the T&Cs, my own fault.

I took DS there last week and again the staff explained to me that I had the option to buy a pass or pay for the session. I explained the situation with the last pass and said I would prefer to just pay as I went. Again, no issue at all, I paid for the session and thought no more of it.

I took him in today and was told that I had to purchase a 10 session pass or else DS would't be able to use the creche at all. The pay as you go arrangements that were previously available to me were apparently all a big mistake and was merely a 'training need' on the part of the staff (all of them!) who had told me it was an option.

I asked for a copy of the T&Cs and was given the attached. I've read it about 20 times and it seems quite clear that you can either buy a pass or pay in advance or pay at time of booking.

The first paragraph even says that the pass offers a 'discount from the hourly rate' which suggests that there is an hourly rate that you can pay without having the pass

Am I going mad? If I am, I am quite happy to be told, but if you read it the same way as I do, how should I handle it? I like the gym, and DS likes the creche so I don't want to flounce, but I know I won't use 10 sessions in a 3 month period and am not happy about having to pay for them. Had I been told this when I joined, I probably would have chosen a different gym.

So, AIBU?

[MolesBreathless]

n.b. the spoon handle is covering the name of the gym as I don't want to name and shame

[Arkwright]

I think it reads that you have to have a pass. Sorry.

[anyname123]

Mention of a discounted hourly rate would suggest there is another hourly rate, but it's not explicit. Speak to manager, explain that you wouldn't have chosen the gym based on duff info, I'm sure they'll offer you an alternative. If not name and shame

[LIZS]

Is it also possible for non members to book places. Are these passes discounted compared to rates charged to them. There is no mention of a payg system in that section.

[Devilishpyjamas]

The first paragraph sounds like the pass is a discount - and they talk about purchasing crèche hours & crèche passes as different things.

I'm with you OP.

Complain to the manager!

[MolesBreathless]

Ok, fair enough...

I'm just confused as to who gets the non-discounted hourly rate?

[hatters]

I don't think it does indicate you need a pass. Having a pass sounds like one of a list of options you can use to pay for the crèche hours.

[MolesBreathless]

ahh, cross posts

No, it a membership only place, only members enter the whole gym (and hence leave their DCs in the creche)

[NarkyKnockers]

Not sure what the discounted rate is if you have to have a pass? I would speak to the membership consultant about being mis-sold your membership.

[MolesBreathless]

Yes, Hatters that is how it was explained to me by several members of staff, no difference at all between any of their explanations. All very clear.

It is only today that the story has changed...

[Arkwright]

I take it to read that if the person has used all their 10 sessions but their pass is still within the 3 months they can pay for extra sessions. I may be wrong though.

[MolesBreathless]

FWIW, I flat out refused to buy the pass today and the staff had no problem at all processing my payment as stand alone creche session.

[furtivefeline]

Is it a big nationwide gym chain? Cos I think this may be the same gym that I'm a member of (could be wrong!) and at ours, unless something has changed recently, there is the option of buying the 10 hour creche pass or paying for each session at the time. I have done both as don't always use the 10 sessions within 3 months. If they have changed the rules since you joined you should definitely complain!

[MolesBreathless]

Interesting interpretation Arkwright - If you don't mind my asking, what is it in the T&Cs that makes you say that ?

[MolesBreathless]

Sounds like it might be the same one - big nationwide one chain.

If they have changed the rules since you joined you should definitely complain!

See, this is what I originally though, but they insist the rules have always been this way, it was just all of the staff I had encountered thus far all had a 'training need'. Exactly the same one

The T&Cs are dated Sept 2015...so predate my joining.

[PutAPlasterOn]

I read it as there is a discount available for regular members in the form of a pass. Even though there's no mention of a standard rate it implies that the pass offers a discount of a standard rate and that you don't need to have a pass and can just pay per session.

[NervousRider]

Used to be a member at Virgin gym and this was the policy they had. Have you looked on your gym's website?

[Arkwright]

The second paragraph says bookings can only be made using the pass if hours are left on it or are paid for in advance.

The policy is a crèche pass policy. Do they have a standard crèche policy.

[furtivefeline]

Reading the policy I think it supports your argument as it refers to creche hours and passes being purchased. Surely if everyone had to buy the 10-hour pass it would be unnecessary to list creche hours as an alternative thing that can be purchased.

What was the role of the person you spoke to today? Could they be the one making a mistake?

[MolesBreathless]

Surely if everyone had to buy the 10-hour pass it would be unnecessary to list creche hours as an alternative thing that can be purchased

This was exactly what I said. The person I spoke to was the head honcho of all the creche facilities so should know the policy.

I do have the centre manager's email address, but wanted to gauge the general view before I take it further.

I'm quite cross tbh, she was so patronising and smarmy - kept saying how sorry she felt for me having misunderstood the policy

[MolesBreathless]

The policy is a crèche pass policy. Do they have a standard crèche policy.

Well, when I joined they had (effectively) two policies, a PAYG one and a 'Prepay Pass' one. They just seem to have quietly dropped the latter and are now pretending it never existed in the first place.

It's very odd. '

[Mooey89]

Definitely reads to me as if you can either buy the pass or pay at the time!
'hours are paid for in advance or at the time of booking'

[Jengnr]

'Creche hours and passes can be purchased'

That clearly states them as two different things. YANBU

[YouAreMyRain]

It definitely reads that you can either buy hours or a pass

[MolesBreathless]

Tomorrow, I think I will phone a couple more of their gyms in other towns and see what their policy is - it sounds like the 10 hour pass thing is standard, would be interesting to see if other gyms will allow you to PAYG as well as have the Pass.

The gym in question has been named here by a PP, so if anyone is a member, I'd be grateful if you could say what the policy is where you are please...!