I contacted this place regarding a "showering only" arrangement following my water heater rusting out. It was going to be more expensive than I could afford to replace it; sue to code changes pertaining to gas water heaters. I am physically disabled; due to a spinal injury and a resulting neuromuscular disorder; so, it was obvious that I wasn't going to be using the fitness facilities.
I explained the entire situation very thoroughly to the sales girl. She recommended a special they were running on a 3 year plan; since, it would be the cheapest. I informed her that I had plans to move in less than 3 years. She insisted that would be no problem at all. I'd only have to call them when I moved outside of the designated range from one of their centers; and, the contract would be voided. If I got my water heater fixed prior to my moving, there would be a $100 cancellation fee; but, no such fee if it was due to a move outside of their range.
About a year and a half later, I did move outside of the designated range from their facilities. Once I was well established, I called them, told them, and tried to cancel. They continually threw "hoops to jump through." Including wanting to reject my use of a PO Box (since I live out in the country; and, I'm too physically unable to dig a post hole for a rural box) and wanting me to pay the $100, anyway. Finally, after I had "jumped through several hoops" and several months of them continuing to auto-debit my bank account, I told them to "Go "F" themselves, filed a fraud report with my bank, and changed my debit card number.
Approx. A year and a half later, these scumbuckets had the nerve to sue me for the entire balance of the cancelled contract!!! After getting an attorney, I found out that the sales girl had lied to get the sale; and, the company wouldn't honor her statement (even though I had a witness.)
Long story short, my attorney settled the case (without my consent) for $300, which he paid out of some other funds (from the house sale he had handled for me); because, he felt that they'd win on technicalities. I don't fault him - he probably was acting in my best interests, given the circumstances. The point is, it never should've gone that far.
When I moved and notified them, that SHOULD HAVE been the end of it. At the very least, when I mailed their cards back to them (making it impossible for me to use the facilities, even if I'd been able to), THAT should've ended everything. Their suing me was nothing less than a total audacity!
My suggestion is to totally steer clear of this rip-off outfit; but, if you don't, be EXTREMELY WARY of anything the sales rep tells you. Carry a tape recorder with you and record the entire time you're with them AND make them put absolutely EVERYTHING in writing; then, read ever word of all the fine print on the back (you might want to bring a microscope with you; since, the print is so tiny!!!) There tactic is to tell you anything they need to in order to get you to sign; then, renig and zap you with that tiny print on the back, later. They have ZERO ethics about having pulled crap like this; and, consider lying to just be a "standard business practice."
I hope this report saves someone else from having to go through the sort of "BS" which I had to go through with this outfit...
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