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Comment by webmobdev | Hacker News Reader

> But it does not stop your contractual obligation to pay.

Can't you Americans just send a certified letter informing a business of your intent to cancel and asking them to send you a final bill (if any) to settle payments within a specified time limit? That should cover you legally?

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The problem is generally in the contract you sign when agreeing to the membership in the first place. There’s a lot of fine print stipulating how cancellation will work exactly.

Can’t you just strike that from the contract, initial it, sign the contract and return it? If they refuse the/any edit, can’t you say they negotiate in bad faith and void the entire contract?

If the contract is void from the beginning, how do you ever plan to use the gym? Aren't you just in the same position you were before you contacted the gym in the first place?

If you don’t agree to all provisions in the contract, then you can’t become a member. Nobody’s negotiating a custom contract for every customer who walks through the door.

That was kinda my point. If they aren’t willing to negotiate with any/all customers, it’s not really a fair contract. And I’m pretty sure they do custom contracts for the owners family/friends and sales. So it’s not unreasonable to ask for changes.

I had to do exactly this to stop a company from delivering heating oil to my house. This increases the amount of time required to cancel by at least an order of magnitude.

Presumably this friction is built into the price of the service and disclosed. The known friction should stop you from signing up knowing the cost of cancelling (if it's too much).

Expecting the customer to be all-knowing is not realistic.

Or are you always reading all the terms and conditions print on all the software you install?

I don't think it's as common in 2022, but in the early 2000s to probably 2015, health club memberships were generally a 1 year contract meaning you were on the hook for a year. You can't just cancel. There were always month-to-month plans but they are usually a few more dollars ($10-$20) a month, but people are bozos and sign on the dotted line.

Wonder if you'd be able to subtract a fee of your own from their amount, to cover your costs and time?

If so... that could make it worthwhile. :)

If you have already signed up for a fixed period (such as an year), then your that would remain your minimum obligation. Sleazy business will allow you to break the obligation at a hefty fine.

Even if, that's an awful lot of work - cancelling should be just as easy as signing up.

Lol. In america, you are not "covered legally" if the other party has more money.

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