Basically, here are the facts in a nutshell.
1. Was part of a country club. I e-mailed them to cancel my account. They e-mailed back saying I had to fill out a form (but didn't mention it was required as a by-law).
2. I didn't fill out the form. Or rather, I'm 99% sure I didn't. It's been well over a year now I don't remember.
3. My credit card expired the month after I told them to cancel. No charges or contact from the country club appeared out of my bank account. 3 months later, they contact me saying I owe money plus late fees, etc. I thought everything was canceled so I called them and said I thought it was canceled. They told me it needed to be in writing, I said it was in writing. Then they back tracked and said it needed specifically that form I didn't fill out. I said I'm not paying it, nobody ever told me that it was required and that it's apparently part of the by-laws (which I can't confirm yet).
4. They send to debt collection company. Debt collection calls me 6 months after #3 conversation. They said the cancel needed to be in writing. I said it was in writing. They asked me to forward the e-mail I sent, so I did. 3 months later, they call me again. I explain the situation again. The also backtracked and say that it had to be that form and they asked if I filled it out. I said I'm pretty sure I didn't and that I'm not paying it. Guy hangs up and says "I'll see you in court."
5. They send me a letter saying it's on the way to a lawyer's office and will take me to court.
Just curious as to what extent does the law have regarding commercial debt (I believe this is classified as commercial debt), statute of limitations, etc. I'm going to end up settling something as I would rather avoid court, though, of course I don't want to pay for a club that I wasn't a part of. I've requested a copy of the club by-laws and full breakdown of the charges (it looks like they overcharged me anyways based off an old statement I found).
Gotta love it.
