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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not pay this month's fees?

24 replies

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 07:31

I did take part in a competitive team sport, I've injured my knee and can no longer compete. They found someone to put in my spot about 4 weeks ago now so all was fine. I was just sitting and watching. I was paying 45 per month and just sitting there. The owner rang me and basically in a round about way was saying the physio wouldn't do much for me and that she thinks I should do the last 2 comps. Obviously my knee is more important as in a single mum to a young DS. If I mess that up then I can't do nothing. I made the decision to quit it all. Another reason was the financial strain it was putting on me. I've paid alot of money towards this sport. In the region of 500+ I just couldn't pay 45 a month and do nothing.
Any way I sent an email confirming all of this. I've spoken to my team and they are all fine. Said they were sad to see me go etc.
In her email she was patronising saying the team were disappointed in me! Then said that I still to pay 45 for this month even though I won't be there! Apparently I missed the direct debit deadline but I've cancelled that so that's not an issue. It also states on their website it's so they can find someone to take that place, well someone took my place 4 weeks ago So that's also not relevant. I haven't signed their payment agreement. So I think I'm within my rights not to pay for this month! 45 is alot to me. AIBU?

OP posts:

Auntiepatricia · 01/02/2019 07:33

Don’t pay it. Presumedly the new person is paying it too so they’ve already had a double payment for the spot.

firawla · 01/02/2019 07:34

Yanbu, they have someone taking your place so they haven’t lost money and if the website mentions that too, I’d just keep repeating that if they ask. Screenshot it from the website as well in case they take it off??

Guineapiglet345 · 01/02/2019 07:38

I wouldn’t pay it, I mean what can they do if you don’t anyway, take you to small claims court for £45? It wouldn’t be worth their time.

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 07:51

I understand if it was a week day class where there was a waiting list and they would miss out on 45 pounds for the month. But this is comp class at a weekend and like I said no one can just join it you have to try out and someone else has taken my place. I just feel annoyed because I was dedicated and put alot of effort in for her to say the team was disappointed (they weren't). And to be cheeky to charge me 45 pounds

OP posts:

Festivecheer26 · 01/02/2019 07:58

Is the person who took your place a permanent replacement or just filling in for you at practice and not expecting to compete?

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 08:00

The new person is competing in my place permently. I know it's annoying for them but I can't help my injury and I'm not going to damage my knee further

OP posts:

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 01/02/2019 08:02

We have to give a months notice for all our clubs I suppose its the same?

londonrach · 01/02/2019 08:02

Do you think you return to this sport op.

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 08:07

I understand why you might need to give a months notice so the place can be filled but as I've said not just anyone can join now. No I don't think I'll return to it now

OP posts:

TinselTimes · 01/02/2019 08:11

Don’t pay.

Reply saying that the one month notice period is so the club can find a replacement, and they already have a replacement so they have no losses.

Even if they went to court they would lose.

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 08:11

Also there is no policy saying you need to give a months notice. They only thing they say on the website is to cancel before the direct direct deadline so it doesn't get taken but you can cancel the DD yourself and the other reason they say is so they can find a replacement in the class as I've said that doesn't apply to me either.

OP posts:

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 01/02/2019 08:16

Owner is trying it on. It would have been a much nicer exit for you if she'd sent a kind email wishing you well. Instead she's made your leaving end on a sour note, which is just mean. Damned if I'd give her a penny!

RestingBitchFaced · 01/02/2019 08:26

Don't pay - cheeky fuckers

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 08:26

I know that's what I thought. Because originally I said I was going to come back in the summer if my knee was ok. So she didn't have to be like that

OP posts:

Festivecheer26 · 01/02/2019 08:28

I’d say a months notice of leaving is standard, outside of any statement on their website about needing time to find a replacement, but difficult for a club to enforce so if you don’t want to pay then don’t but it’s not necessarily cheeky of your coach who will have costs to cover. Your fees will be a lot of money to the club just as they are for you.

It doesn’t sound like the person taking your spot is a permanent replacement if the coach is asking you to do the last two competitions. Maybe it’s not working out? You don’t mention competition fees - have you paid for the last two already?

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 08:44

I've paid for all my comp fees, all my uniform fees. So they have extra money as I wont be going and they won't need to get me a ticket. But she's not mentioned a refund of that!

OP posts:

Festivecheer26 · 01/02/2019 08:53

Is the uniform yours to keep? It’s likely that your competition entry fees will have been paid over to the event organiser (depending how far way the comps are) and they don’t issue refunds so I wouldn’t expect the entry fees back.

You mention you didn’t sign their payment agreement - what does the payment agreement say about fees, uniform fees and competition entry?

NotStayingIn · 01/02/2019 09:01

In these circumstances I agree with you, I don't think you owe them as your place has been filled and is now being paid for by someone else. She isn't out of pocket. Such a shame that she has been a bit money grabbing about it, that would leave a bad taste for me too. (Do take a screengrab of the website though as someone suggested just in case.)

SaturdayNext · 01/02/2019 09:05

You do have a contract with the club irrespective of whether you have signed anything: an oral contract is just as binding. So it really depends on what the terms of that contract are. If it is clear that a month's notice is required then you are bound by that and, contrary to what has been suggested above, if they sued you would lose. That said, the chances of them suing for £45 are obviously minimal.

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 01/02/2019 09:11

No one has ever mentioned giving 1 months notice for the competition class. I guess it was assumed by them that no one would drop out due to injury.

OP posts:

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 05/02/2019 10:04

Just an update on this. She's only gone and emailed my work email! That my manager can see about me not paying my fees. How awful of her!

OP posts:

EhlanaOfElenia · 05/02/2019 10:13

Hmm, a martial arts club? Competition is fierce in running these. Many all of these clubs started by leaving an existing club, taking some members with them, and opening up in competition. They learn how to very competitive and fight for what they want.

You need to send her an email from your personal email telling her to NOT email you at work anymore. You have cancelled your DD as per the instructions on the club website. Although you had been hoping to return in the summer, sadly that won't be possible anymore.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 05/02/2019 10:24

Can you block her from the work email address?

Original poster

cadburymilkchoc · 05/02/2019 10:39

No not martial arts. There are only 2 clubs of this kind in my region so yes competitive but it a class you can only be in if you try out at the beginning of the season. Someone has replaced me however. No I don't think I can as she is a client of ours at work. This has angered me so much

OP posts:

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