Gold's Gym used Bait-n-Switch tactics to dupe me into more training sessions than I wanted. I signed up for some personal trainer sessions in Sept (1/week) for 2 months (One session a week, Basically $160/month), or at least that's what I thought Verbally the lady said we'd start with two months and then just renew it after that.in the discussion leading up to that they said I could meet my weight loss goals in 6 months, so I had it in my mind that the term of the contract was 2-6 months.
So six months go by, and I use the services, and was okay with them for the most part. However in the first part of March of I ended up being separated from my wife and had to start supporting two households. I spoke to a manager at the gym and explained my financial situation to them, and told them I can no longer continue my training sessions. I thought this wouldn't be a problem since I had met my obligation. They said they'd cancel further training sessions and take care of it. I thought everything was good at that point, then I notice that they are still charging be for training sessions.
So I dig up the contract and notice that the 2 on the contract had been changed to 12, and that the other receipt (which was signed electronically, so all the details weren't visible) had 12 months written on it. Apparently I didn't see that sight of hand that they pulled on me. At that point I was furious. I cancelled the auto-pay to my card (as I could no longer afford further charges like this). Then I talked to the manager again and again they said they'd take care of it. Again I thought it was all taken care of. However I should have made them put that in writing. Later I was hounded from a debt collector saying that I owe the balance of the contract. Again they are saying that I owe for services that were never rendered and certainly not desired anymore.
I'm now being sued by them saying I owe them $2,200.50. Not sure how they arrive at that figure. They claim I signed up for 12 months, so by my calculations that's only 160*12 = $1,920 (I can't see there being $300 in interest). Plus, I've reviewed by bank statements and I had paid them for 8 months of sessions, which is 160*8 = $1,280. So even if the debt was valid (which I don't think it is), it would still only be 1920-1280 = $640. A quick search on the web seems to show that I'm not alone in becoming a victim to their predatory business practices. Stay away from these scumbags!
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