I wish I had known of this forum before ever coming into contact with Custom Built Personal Training.
I'm a member of Cardio Express in Vernon CT. My membership affords me one free personal training session. Let it be known, I never had any intention of becoming a regular client due to the fact that I was moving away for college in less 3 months. Let the swindling begin...
After the initial free session, both the manager and the assistant manager start wheeling and dealing plans. "Oh, you can't afford this? How about this? No? How about this?" again and again I say that I won't need this service in 3 months. Brace yourselves...
They both say not to worry that I can cancel as long as I move more than 50 miles outside a service area and all I would need is a copy of my acceptance letter. I have both of them check and double check and sure enough as they emerge from their office all I need to submit is my acceptance letter and because they're so nice they'll waive my first and last payments. Sign here, here, and here.
Time comes for me to mail my letter and I call the Custom Built Personal Training customer service office to find the correct address only to be told essentially that whom ever told what is completely mistaken and I signed a contract. Over and over all she said was "Well, you signed a contract but for an early termination fee of $250..." like a robot.
Immediately, I drive down to the gym to confront both managers only to discover they have both been fired! Oh, and all of the trainers there previously have all been fired! Everyone. So... I go home and call back.
She says that I could have been accepted to 1000 schools. I must now submit my registration for classes. This will indeed take 2 weeks to get an official copy so, needless to say, they charge me another monthly fee. I finally mail them not just my fall and spring registration, but a copy of my acceptance letter, a copy of my student bill, a copy of the receipt for my $500 enrollment fee, and a copy of my student ID card. Only to receive a letter back informing me that I need to move more than 50 miles and "fortunately" there's a location in Wethersfield, CT??? My school is in NYC Here's where it gets real slimey...
She puts me on hold for 5 minutes, then says "Well, obviously, this letter means your new address isn't 50 miles from that service center, but for a termination fee of $250..." I happen to be on the computer and mapped the exact addresses and told her that the correct mileage was 109 miles. She put me on hold for another 5 min. Got back on the line to say it would be just another moment... 5 minutes later she said she needs more proof. I offered to submit a piece of mail which apparently isn't proof enough because "... Anyone can change their address, how do I know you're changing your address for real?" I asked Tara to mail me a copy of my signed contract. It says in order to cancel the contract I must move 50 miles. It then says that the seller may require information of said move. Now, I would have never signed a contract knowing that I would have to provide a mortgage statement or lease. I am an undergraduate student in New York City renting a room. Rather than have to hear the customer service person's wretched voice one more time I'll pay the termination fee (and of course plus 1 month for under 30 days notice).
Please, please, please do not give this company any of your business.
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