The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Gym charging me for cancelled training sessions.
The Last Gent
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've never really had to deal with this sort of thing before, just want to know how to proceed.
So a couple of months back, I stupidly booked some personal training sessions with my Gym, signed a contract and everything. But afterwards fridge logic hit me, (way too costly for what I got, and I had workout-crazed friends basically providing the service for free) and I cancelled them, as it said in the contract you could cancel within 10 days, which I did. I was to pay in monthly installments, the sessions could be whenever I wanted. I went there in person and got them cancelled.
So before I left on my vacation the last 2 weeks, I get a call from them asking me when I want to do the training sessions. I tell them I had cancelled the sessions a long time ago.
So I get back from my 2 week vacation today, crack open my credit card bill, and discover they had charged me one of those monthly installments for them. (it was one of those wired-to-the-card setups).
So, who do I talk to first? Do I go there in person first and raise a ruckus? Or go to the bank first and say cancel that one thing on the bill, or what? Basically I want to know how I'm supposed to handle this before I go angrily barreling in like I'm just about ready to. Basically how do I handle cancelling a credit card transaction they were never supposed to make.
So a couple of months back, I stupidly booked some personal training sessions with my Gym, signed a contract and everything. But afterwards fridge logic hit me, (way too costly for what I got, and I had workout-crazed friends basically providing the service for free) and I cancelled them, as it said in the contract you could cancel within 10 days, which I did. I was to pay in monthly installments, the sessions could be whenever I wanted. I went there in person and got them cancelled.
So before I left on my vacation the last 2 weeks, I get a call from them asking me when I want to do the training sessions. I tell them I had cancelled the sessions a long time ago.
So I get back from my 2 week vacation today, crack open my credit card bill, and discover they had charged me one of those monthly installments for them. (it was one of those wired-to-the-card setups).
So, who do I talk to first? Do I go there in person first and raise a ruckus? Or go to the bank first and say cancel that one thing on the bill, or what? Basically I want to know how I'm supposed to handle this before I go angrily barreling in like I'm just about ready to. Basically how do I handle cancelling a credit card transaction they were never supposed to make.
The Last Gent on
0
Posts
My personal experience with my girlfriend was that a salesman pressured her into $600/month in personal training. (She was stupid to sign up for that but its a long story, she came home in tears because she didn't know how to deal with a salesman that won't let up.) When we called to cancel the next day, which is well within the 10 day grace period, the salesman gave some bs about the 10 day grace period counting ONLY if she hadn't signed a contract. The only reason she got out of it without the hassle of canceling the charge on her credit card was because a couple of my buddies were trainers and they told the guy to let it go.
I moved over 75 miles away and they wouldn't cancel it. I gave them copies of my new drivers liscense and my change of address form from the post office and the still called collections on me.
Eventually, I settled everything, but it took almost a year.
damn you gold's gym.
damn you to hell.
Make sure you document EVERYTHING.
Also, take a look at the contract to find out if they state exactly what it takes to cancel. A written note like you appear to have may not be enough. If that is the case, you may ened to contact that manager again and ask for them to provide you with the documentation you need, with the date as signed on what you have so as not to put you at a disadvantage.
Gold's didn't used to have this ridiculous policy, but recessions (or economic slowing or whatever bullshit) hits gyms hard. They (I'll say particularly the chains) will fight you now, even lie to you, when you qualify for a release in your contract.
I'm surprised the OP found one that wasn't like, one year membership with personal training you sign up for in one month blocks. Although you said "my Gym" so you're still on a contract with the gym itself, correct?
Your CC company is your 800lb gorilla. Use them.
When I was working in Medford, MA, I walked into a Work Out World that was located in the same building as my office. I walked in to check out the facility to see if I could afford it; born negotiator that I am, they ultimately didn't let me leave the gym until I had agreed to something. They progressively offered me lower and lower rates until I finally agreed to something ($30 a month, low startup fee), and then offered to post-date my check until after my payday so that "I could start working out right away." By that point I was so drained and exasperated that I just wanted to get out of there, so I signed the contract and got out of there.
I actually used the gym a lot after that. The facilities were pretty great, and it was very convenient to where I worked.
Then I changed jobs to one in Maynard, MA, and going to my gym suddenly meant tacking an extra 15-20 minutes onto a commute that was already 50-60 minutes long. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So ultimately I was paying $30 a month for a membership I wasn't using. I called to cancel, but they told me I had to physically come into the gym to do so.
Upon actually reviewing my contract (which I don't have handy, or I would refer to it specifically), apparently I am under contract until like February of 2009 (I'm guessing it was either a 18 or 24 month contract, can't remember). If I want to cancel, I have to have moved something like 25 miles away from them or any gym they could theoretically sell my contract to, and I have to pay something like a $100 termination fee.
It's something I haven't dealt with in the 4 or so months since I came to this realization ($120 ago), but it's kind of stressing me out; especially knowing that when I do ultimately go in there to cancel, it's going to be an ordeal.
me?
this was about 7 years ago. It showed up on a credit report, but was immediatly taken off (can't remember by whom lol) after I showed all my documentation.
I never paid them a dime after the month I moved.
Like he's paying for the gym on contract already, then decided some personal training might help out, as well.
Edit: That sounded pompous. I apologize. Gym fees just piss me off.
Carl Sagan
Life Time Fitness = the awesome.
Because it is awesome. I used to go there at 3am after drinking just so I can play basketball
P.S. I'm keeping all documentation still unless they pull something else.