Normally I applaud good bargaining, but after overhearing a conversation today, I just wanted to shake the man.
The MSF and I had decided to treat ourselves by taking a trip to the uber-posh Virgin Active in Kensington, to use the hydrotherapy facilities. The MSF is a member of another Virgin Active so it’s fine (see the Virgin Active, Cannons, LA Fitness £400 off loophole article for how to do it cheaply). Now, this specific gym is a seriously expensive to be a member of.
Yet here was the conversation of the man in front of us:
Wastrel man: “Hi, I’ve not been for 18 months, and I was wondering if you would be able to give me two guest passes for friends.”
Receptionist: “I’m sorry Sir you’ve already been allocated your guest passes when you joined. We can let one person in as a goodwill gesture but not two.”
Wastrel man: “This is ridiculous – I’ve paid nearly £1,500 for the last 18 months and never been here once and you won’t give me two guest passes.”
Now, while a good haggle is appreciated and at least he wanted to get a good deal… come on… please… I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and say “you’ve been paying for a gym you’ve not used for 18 months; EIGHTEEN MONTHS MAN! You’ve gone over your renewal period and not bothered to cancel it and now here you are haggling over the cost of a guest pass. What type of argument is that? They know you’re a fool; you’ve paid them £1,500 for nothing already… you’re blatantly the type of person who will simply pay without a thought.”
I always get frustrated when people think MoneySaving is about doing without. It’s not; the core philosophy is to live within your means and get good value. As I’ve said before (and it’s now impossible): “there’s nothing wrong with flying to New York on Concorde and coming back on the QE2 provided A. You can afford it and B. You didn’t pay £7,000 for it when it was available elsewhere for £3,000”.
Yet this man is just ridiculous – think about what he could’ve done with the money. And if he’s so rich that it doesn’t matter to him, think what a charity could’ve done with it.
Have your say
This is an open discussion but the comments do not represent the views of MSE. We want everyone to enjoy using our site but spam, bullying and offensive comments will not be tolerated. Posts may be deleted and repeat offenders blocked at our discretion. Please contact fbteam@moneysavingexpert.com if you wish to report any comments.