Please can I ask your help getting money back from PT.

[userofthiswebsite]

Good afternoon,
Hope I can get some advice please.

I took 12 lessons with a personal trainer who works on a self-employed basis with Gym Group. I do not have any signed paperwork with the PT as I'm sure I'll be asked that.

We have done 4 of 12 sessions for which I paid a total of £300 (£25/session).

He has been constantly cancelling /not turning up and most recently went completely out of contact and I had to track him down in the gym. Turns out he'd been training someone else in two of my early morning weekday slots. He promised to attend this morning's session (supposed to be 3 sessions a week) but cancelled. Last Sunday he just didn't turn up, no warning given.

Long story short he is taking the mick and I want a refund of the remaining 8 sessions so £200. I've already texted him to say as much but want to formalise it as I get the impression I've going to have a battle on my hands to get the refund.

I want to start with an email today saying you've effectively terminated our contract, give me the money back within 3 working days.

Is this a suitable way to start? Where do I go from there in terms of escalation? The gym doesn't employ him so I know I can't get the money back from them.

Although the gym group doesn't employ him, I'd still let them know - it's not doing their reputation much good if he's so flaky and is letting their clients down.

I had some issues with a PT at one of the gym group gyms. He left abruptly (without telling me) and one of the other PTs came to ask if I planned on continuing training with someone else.

I told him I'd had no idea he had left and then catalogued all the issues I'd had with him and he was brilliant. He reported it to the manager and they got me a refund and a text from the PT apologising. They're pretty good at sorting it so go and speak to one of the others or email the head office from the website.

Make sure you've got any texts etc handy showing what you'd paid and the times he has cancelled too.

I'd be inclined to ask for the whole amount back. One session once in a while isn't going to do anything. You can't store the effects of exercise. Although you've technically had some sessions, it wasn't in the manner or timeframe originally agreed and 4 sessions on a hit and miss basis would seem a waste of your investment to me.

I can go through these formalities but I think most likely he'll ignore my request for a refund - he's not responded to my SMSs today about this morning's session.
If I push it through the small claims court, it's going to cost ME money.
If it goes in my favour even then he can just not pay and just ignore the court order.
It's so so unfair that people can take advantage of other people like this.

There will be someone at the gym who is responsible for the PTs. Find out who that is and speak to the person directly asking to help.

He can try to ignore it all he likes. I really don't think it would get as far as small claims and I wouldn't write it off before you've tried the other things suggested.

And as a PP said - definitely ask for a complete refund not a partial one! He's taking the piss.

Both the gym and the PTs there know how important personal recommendation is in that line of work. I highly doubt that they wouldn't help you.

jot down U*PTs fb contacts. so when he blocks you you can write to all and sundry....