I joined Planet Fitness in Lantana, Florida and part of the sign-up agreement was a training session to familiarize you with gym equipment. I was passed on to a trainer who I later found out was an outside company called "Custom Built Training", after a 30 minute workout, I was taken into an office and given a sales pitch. During this pitch I asked multiple times if this was a contract and was told "NO". I asked multiple times if there was a cancellation fee, and was told "no", and that if I wanted to cancel, I could just come in before they charged me and cancel. It all seemed very informal. I agreed to purchase a month. The salesperson fumbled with the computer for a few moments (claiming he was trying to process my payment) and then asked me to sign the signature pad. I again asked what I was signing (you are not shown what they are doing on the computer or given a paper agreement) and was told that it was my charge slip.
About a week later I needed to contact the home office and pulled up their email to me titled "Payment Receipt". I scrolled to the bottom looking for contact information and saw a link to "read more about your agreement". The signature pad you sign at this office for your "charge" is actually a signature pad to sign a contract (which you do not see). I was locked into a contract for 12 months. The only way you can cancel is to pay a $250.00 fee and submit a 30 day notice. I called the corporate office, which is apparently only 2 people, and told that I signed the contract. I explained what happened and they said I 'should have known I was signing a contract and that 'she' alwats reads the fine print. I told her there was nothing to read, I was not given a contract, and was verbally assured mulitple times that this 'not' a contract. She said to send them $250.00 and they would be happy to cancel. I went into the gym and confronted the salesperson and the assigned trainer and he told me "he was new, and THOUGHT he told me".
I called this Corporate Office again on Monday May 4, and told them that I wanted out of this scam, and asked for the address to send the $250.00 to (only because I do not want this to affect my credit score) no address was given and I was told they would "get back to me in 24 hours". For an Address??? Today, 4 days later, after no call back I called them again, was placed on hold for twenty minutes and then hung up on. I called back 5 times before someone answered and then was told that the person I was speaking to was busy and that they would call me back within 24 hours. Again, I am sure the 2nd part to this scam, now after waiting they can claim I did not give notice 30 days before my next payment. This company is a scam!
I also believe Planet Fitness is just as shady for passing new customers off to these crooks. Their website claims you are will be given a training session by "their" experienced staff, but you are passed off to Custom Built. Everyone who has had similiar experiences with this company needs to speak up now. Today I offered to take a polygraph test if the salesperson would also agree to take a polygraph test. I know I am telling the truth, I wonder if he could say the same! Both of these companies are predatory!!! Planet Fitness, shame on you and Custom Built Trainers, your VICTIMS are going to come forth and stop this from happening to others!
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