I joined Bally's Total Fitness while a graduate student about 6 years ago. After about 8 months, I ended up having to move. I talked to their manager about it, and was told that since my contract was coming to a close anyway, and that there was not a Bally's Total Fitness near where I would be living, they would cancel my contract, membership and I owed nothing more.
Not until 2003 (about 5 years later!), my parents get a letter addressed to me from Bally's Total Fitness informing me that I owe $300!! I have absolutely no idea where that came from. I thought it was bogus, and ignored it. About two months later, my parents get a another letter addressed to me from a credit agency saying that I will be reported to the credit bureaus with a 90 day late penalty if I do not pay the $300.
This was just incredible. I requested my credit reports and sure enough, they had reported me, and now I have this huge mark in my credit. I disputed the claim to the credit agencies, and received a letter from bally's credit bureau again saying I owe them $300.
I don't even know how they come up with the figure $300! I did everything fair and square and cleared it with their office when I had ended my membership about 6 years ago. I can't believe they would send me a bill for $300 5 years later, and then report me to the credit agencies who will just obliterate a good credit due to the frivolous claim by Bally's Total Fitness.
I feel that I was ripped off, and taken advantage of. I would like it if they would get their act together, stop taking advantage of customers with their corporate mentality, and address the concerns of the people who have been ripped off by them. I would also like it if they could take that negative marking off my credit report which has really hurt my credit due to their unfair and unethical business practices.
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