My mother signed my father up for a gym membership last fall - she got a family membership so that she could also work out with my dad. My dad died last month, and she waited until she got a copy of his death certificate to go cancel the gym membership. The people at the gym were uncooperative because she was the primary person on the contract. She sent the following letter to the company (verbatim):
Dear National Fitness Center,
Please consider this letter to be a request for termination of my contract. My husband, (dad's name), passed away on February 10. The manager of your Maryville office has a copy of his death certificate. I was told that only his part of the contract could be cancelled because I am the primary member. I am the primary member because he worked and did not have time to do the paperwork. I do not work, and am on a very limited income now. My son and I will not be using the membership and do not want to be charged for the service.
The person spoke with at your main office was less than helpful in this matter. I would think that dying would qualify as a PERMANENT move out of the area. This is not the kind of nonsense a grieving widow should have to deal with. We we married for thirty years and I am not handling this very well. Please make this issue go away.
Sincerely,
(My mom)
To which they, in all their compassion, replied (again verbatim):
Re: Acct# (account)
We have received your request to cancel your membership.
However, please be advised that your contract does not contain an early termination clause unless you relocate 35 miles from a National Fitness Center location or an Affiliate Location through the International Physical Fitness Association (www.ipfa.Us).
Your contract is in effect through the initial expiration date of 9/27.
You may choose to pay your membership in full without penalty for early payoff if you choose. You may request your payoff amount via email at [email protected]. You will need your account number listed above as a reference.
Sincerely,
National Fitness Center
Cancellation Department
So basically, they're saying that they don't care they her husband died, but if she would like, she can give them the $2,000 she's going to end up paying for a gym membership she doesn't want all at once instead of over the course of the next year and a half. Did they even read the letter she sent before printing out the form letter they sent back? This company obviously cares infinitely more about contracts than the customers that sign them.
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