Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Massachusetts

gym membership under 18 no parental consent
a few months ago i got a gym
membership from a Workout World
in Massachusetts. although they
asked for some account information
i was unable to give them any
because i didn't have a bank
account. they accepted my
membership regardless of the fact i
was under 18 with no
parent/guardian signature. i paid
the first three months (only wanted
it for the summer) after three
months i stopped going. i never
officially froze my account so they
continued to bill me. i didnt know
how to pay it, i had no credit card
or bank account. so i recieved an
urgent letter saying i owe the rest
of the balance ($525). i attempted
to make a deposit a month ago but
they're systems were down and
they said they would call when they
were back up. i just recieved a
nasty phone call demanding the
money within 30 days. As i am
thinking about it, i realized my
parents had never signed anything.
Workout World were so desperate
for sales they didnt care if i was
under 18. so i was wondering if i
am liable to pay since i am under 18
and have proof that my parents did
not sign the contract since its
theyre fault they signed a minor to
a contract.

Asked on 2/14/09, 2:04 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

John Postl Attorney At Law

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Re: gym membership under 18 no parental consent

Generally minors are not responsible for contracts that they sign. Since the balance due is relatively small, I would call the gym and see if you can get the gym to drop the claim or perhaps offer a small amount of money to resolve the matter. Next time you get a nasty call regarding the bill, say "pursuant to the federal fair debt collection practices act, I demand that you do not call me regarding this debt". That should stop the calls, but you have to use those words.

Answered on 2/15/09, 9:59 am

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