I called LAFitness on Saturday afternoon to make a sign-up and orientation appointment for Sunday. I was asked if I could come in on Saturday. I thought wow, how committed they are, trying to set a no-procrastination tone. When I arrived, the month-to-month membership represented on the phone turned into two months, first month and last month. So, a month-to-month actually costs $158.98 up front (two months plus a $99 enrollment fee). After I signed my LAFitness contract, I was handed off to a person who never represented himself as being with another company, with another enrollment fee: "Body of Change".in fact my appointment card with this other company had LAFitness imprinted on the card. I just assumed that the appointment was for orientation to learn the numerous pieces of equipment. The next day, I was taken through a 1 1/2 hour sales marathon: first the health analysis and motivational talk, interspersed with how they are better than the competition, then a demonstration of three pieces of equipment, and then a wrap-up, sign now, strong-armed session. When one couldn't convince me to sign up for the $149 enrollment fee (now telling me it was a separate company to justify the second fee) plus $30 to $60 per 30-minute sessions, another guy was brought in to double-team. I walked out. All I wanted to do was get my body in shape, and I left feeling completely exhausted, emotionally. The next day, I put in the names of LAFitness and Body of Change into a Google search, and there I found fellow consumers who shared similar plights of poor customer service and treatment. So, I write this in hopes of helping other consumers. I also write this in hopes that LAFitness and Body of Change learn to respect consumers; that we are not prey for their fodder. We should be respected. If you really want to make a lot of money, then provide valuable, compassionate services. Most of us want to be in shape and have a professional trainer periodically monitor our progress. We just don't want to be coerced into signing long, expensive contracts. You already have excellent facilities and services; just add some compassion, make your month-to-month truly month-to-month, with only one lifetime enrollment fee, drop the strong-arm tactics, and we will come.
0 comments