I ask you, how can a company charge for a training membership when access to the building is denied?
Here's the scoop: My husband and I agreed to join the new branch in Oswego, Illinois. We signed a contract to pay for two memberships, plus one personal trainer package for him. Soon thereafter, my husband and I both lost our jobs to a major corporation downsizing. Following the terms of cancellation, I sent one letter to cancel the gym membership, and one letter to cancel the trainer agreement.
We received two responses: The first response was notification that I will be charged for the penalties for early cancellation (which was VERY expensive for a memberships that went unused), and that my membership had been canceled.
The second letter stated that the trainer membership could not be canceled, and that the full term would be directly deducted from the bank account! My only options were to decide if it would all be deducted at once, or in $160 monthly increments!
I ask you, how can a company charge for a training membership when access to the building is denied?
I went to the bank to block the auto-debit, and the bank manager stated that if I agreed to a direct debit, I could block the exact monthly dollar figure, but not an LA Fitness debit altogether - in short, all the gym had to do was change the debit amount and it would still go through! I then would need to fight through a lawyer to recoup whatever amount they decided to charge!
She recommended that I close my account and re-open a new one! She also recommended NEVER agreeing to direct debit, as gyms are the most notorious for abusing the agreements, knowing it will cost you more to get your money back.
I immediately contacted several lawyers who would NOT take the case because it was not a large enough payday for them!!!
Why had no one mentioned this scam before I signed up? I then looked up LA Fitness online only to discover that this is a well-known scam artist company.
I will NEVER sign a membership agreement at a gym ever again. I also warn others to reconsider getting locked in to paying for no services, as there is no way of knowing what your circumstances will be six months from now in an ailing economy.
I would be more than willing to enter into a class action law-suit, and invite others to do the same.
Corporate thievery needs to stop, and if we must make examples of a few to instill awareness, so be it. Don't allow your friends, family and neighbors to be had by this scheme!!
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