How to contact closed gym?

[Lionne]

I got a letter in the mail on November 3rd that my local gym was closing on November 5th. It stated that members who had paid ahead would be reimbursed for the remainder of their contract and the balance would arrive by December 1st. I haven’t received anything yet.
I joined in February, paying $299 for 12 months, so I am owed something around $75 for November, December and January.
There was no phone number or contact name on the letter. I broke out my copy of the contract this morning, and there’s no address or number listed other than the actual gym location, which has closed down. It was a small local gym, not part of a chain. I didn’t know anyone who went there, or any of the employees.

What is my next step? Do I contact the Better Business Bureau, or someone else? Do I wait longer?

[Gfactor]

Where are you?

[ivylass]

Did you pay by check or credit card?

I fear, if this was a Mom and Pop place, you may be screwed. You may be able to track down who held the business license, but only you can decide if the detective work is worth $75.

[Lionne]

Sorry; I am in Clearwater, FL. USA.
Paid by credit card. I didn’t think gyms would be Mom&Pop-type places…

[gotpasswords]

The city should be able to help you find who actually owns the place.

[Nuke]

@ivylass

Did you pay by check or credit card?

I fear, if this was a Mom and Pop place, you may be screwed. You may be able to track down who held the business license, but only you can decide if the detective work is worth $75.

Concur with this.

Having also been through this, I can tell you that you can kiss your $75 goodbye. It ain’t worth the effort to recover $75. Consider yourself lucky you didn’t sign up the day before they closed.

[gotpasswords]

missed the edit window…

Another option would be to send a letter enquiring about the missing refund to the gym’s mailing address, and the letter should be forwarded to the appropriate people.

[Gfactor]

Another feature that sometimes gets club members into trouble is when they purchase prepaid lifetime memberships. Some gyms have lifetime memberships – which they will always promote. Unfortunately, these types of memberships are usually for the life of the club, not yours! If the club closes, you’re out of luck. In Florida, for example, the law requires most health clubs to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to post a bond for a limited time. This way, if the health club goes out of business, those members who pre-paid will get their money back.

Bankrate: Guiding you through life's financial journey

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/onestop/cs/healthstudio.html

StatuteHealth.pdf

[Lionne]

I tried a search using **gotpassword’s ** link - nothing under the name or the address. Nothing registered with BBB either. I will compose a letter to send out in hopes it will spur something, but it’s not looking good.
The gym is Balanced Fitness on Belcher Rd. in Clearwater, if that helps anyone.

[Lionne]

OK, so I went on sunbiz.com and got the registered agent name and address, as well as manager detail. Does this help me? Would I be able do something with this info?

[Gfactor]

@Lionne

I tried a search using **gotpassword’s ** link - nothing under the name or the address. Nothing registered with BBB either. I will compose a letter to send out in hopes it will spur something, but it’s not looking good.
The gym is Balanced Fitness on Belcher Rd. in Clearwater, if that helps anyone.

Review these quick tips before joining a health studio:

*
  Make sure the health studio is currently registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Call our Consumer Hotline (1-800-HELP-FLA, 435-7352) to see if any complaints have been filed against the health studio, and if so, how they have been resolved.
*
  Check to see if the health studio has filed the proper security with the Department or if they are exempt from doing so.
*
  Try to avoid long term commitments until you have had a chance to use the health studio and feel comfortable it will meet your needs. While some studios won’t talk about monthly memberships, some will. Others may require a commitment for one year, but with no large up-front payment. Shop around and ask questions.
*
  If the consumer decides to pay on a month-to-month basis, the health studio is entitled to charge any fee they deem appropriate. The Department does not regulate how much a health studio charges consumers for services.
*
  Some health studios ask you to join - and pay - the first time you visit and offer incentives like special rates to entice you to sign on the spot. It’s a good idea to wait a few days before deciding. Take the contract home and read it carefully.
*
  If you want to file a complaint against a health studio, you can file online or call our Consumer Hotline at (1-800-HELP-FLA, 435-7352) to have a complaint form sent to you via mail.

For more information on requirements of a health studio, please visit our health studio page. You can also call our Consumer Hotline (1-800-HELP-FLA, 435-7352) and a consumer specialist will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

http://www.800helpfla.com/newsletter/2005/012005.html

[Lionne]

Thanks, Gfactor. I’ve submitted my claim and I’ll mail them a copy of my contract and the closure letter.

[Gfactor]

@Lionne

Thanks, Gfactor. I’ve submitted my claim and I’ll mail them a copy of my contract and the closure letter.

Good luck. I hope it works out for you.