Health clubs. Slimier than telemarketers.

The BBQ Pit
1

Let me start by saying if I ever join another health club, I demand someone kick me in the face.

But for now…

I joined what I thought was a pretty decent place about a year ago. Of course, I went about ten times and then decided last August that if I only went about ten times, it might not be entirely worth it.

Lucky for me, I signed the type of contract I could cancel in writing at any time.

So, I popped off a “Cancel my memberhip immediately” letter and sent it certified mail. They continued to charge me (as in draw funds from my bank because I’m an ASSHOLE and I signed up with my debit card) for September and October.

I finally noticed they were still charging me in November (because, again, I’m an ASSHOLE and didn’t go over my statements until then). I called them, was treated rudely, I treated them rudely back, they treated me rudely back back, but it ended with the manager apologizing and crediting my account for the two months they erroneously charged me.

Looked at my statement a few days ago and guess what? I’ve been charged for being a member of this sweat-infested bung hole yet again.

So, I called again. This time, I spoke to a new and improved rude raging asshole who refused to do anything without a fax in front of him, proving that they had charged my account. (I had no way to fax him anything.)

“Really?” said I. “You have NO WAY of knowing how much you charge people on your end? It’s impossible for you to look it up on your system?”

“Yep,” he said.

When I asked him how the whole matter in November had been resolved without my ever sending a fax or “proof,” he hung up on me.

I called back and asked for the manager, who I spoke to yesterday. Raging Asshole wouldn’t let me talk to anyone else and hung up on me again.

So I called the police and will be heading on down to file a police report, as they’re basically stealing from me AND I refuse to deal with this scumbag anymore.

I mean, WTF is wrong with these people? How in the world is having a customer file a police report better than just hitting a key on your goddamn computer system and rectifying the mistake, which you know has already been rectified once? Granted it’s not the nicest gym in the world, but people would hardly laugh and point at me if they knew I had joined.

I’m so pissed, I even picked a fight with Mr. Cookie. Happy fucking Tuesday.

2

Of course they’re slimier. They rub all them body oils into their sweaty torsos and stuff.

3

Not that what they’re doing is right or anything, but did you consider calling your bank to advise them that you were being charged improperly and have them block EFT requests from that vendor?

4

Sorry. I left out that part since it was uneventful. I’ve already called my bank and alerted them.

5

I used to sell memberships at a gym.

First, I hope you still have the confirmation of the receipt of your cancellation letter. Otherwise you haven’t got a leg to stand on.

If you still have it, I’d call the gym up as politely as you can (read How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie if you don’t know why) and ask to speak to the accountant or general manager. In my case at least, the salespeople at the gym had no idea what was going on with an account once the membership contract has been signed other than whether or not they are still showing up. The accountant or general manager are probably the only two people who can help you.

Make sure you’ve read the fine print on your contract, because at the gym I worked at a cancellation required 30 days, which meant they got to charge you again. Tell them that you have confirmation of their receipt of your letter, and that you feel you have been overcharged since then. Have some proof they’ve been charging you (bank statements would be good) and be prepared to fax them over.

If that doesn’t work, what Otto said.

6

The raging asshole I spoke to was the accountant. He also claimed to be the general manager.

I have a certified letter receipt, which they signed on August 19.

The fine print said I could cancel at any time, which is why they refunded Sept and Oct to my account.

This guy is just, as noted above, a raging asshole.

7

Raging Assholes - best band name of all time! And probably accurate, too!

Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Carry on.

8

Might want to give the Better Business Bureau a call, too.

9

Some Health Club sales and membership tactics seem to be right up there with Timeshares’.

A few years ago as a team project for a marketing (pricing) course, I designed an “experiment” whereby each member of the team went to a local branch of that Large National Health Club Chain that sounds like Pally’s. Each member played a different “role” with a different “back story”: the wimpy, neophyte gym goer whose wife wanted him to get in shape (i.e. the “ignoramus”); the Yuppie Businesswoman (“more money than sense”); the female weight-lifter whose Gold’s Gym membership was expiring (the “knowledgeable consumer”); the foreign exchange student who just wanted to meet “american chicks” (the “broke guy”); etc.

Each of us went separately to the facilities, was given a tour, and was led into the sales (“closing”) room for the high-pressure pitch before we could leave. Each of us was offered a totally different plan and price - without being offered what was offered to the others - ranging from $9.95/month to $65/month (IIRC).
The exchange student even joined ($9.95/month) - even though it was only 2 months until graduation! I don’t know how it want when he tried to cancel.

And we all received "A"s! :slight_smile:

10

Which is why, when I joined my gym, I paid up front. Then every month, I set aside the correct amount, and when it comes time to renew, I can just write another check.

Never ever ever give your debit card to a gym. Never ever. Try going down in person, and make sure the manager knows about the Raging Asshole.

11

Go to your bank and tell them to block any transfers to the health club. Won’t get back the money already taken, but at least you won’t melt down again in January.

12

His name is Mr. Cookie? Did you sit on him?

:d & r: