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Complaint

0
Magie Spinno
Country: United States
I got a two week trial offer in the mail from Bally's Fitness Center, and decided to give it shot. When I came the employees told me they have a better deal for me and offered a 30 day trial for $5.

They assured me that if I want to cancel I can do it at the end of the trial period. The only condition was the number of visits to the center was limited to 12. I followed the rules and decided to cancel at the end of my 4th week.

When I called them to cancel they said I need to pay $62 for using the center for this month. I told them that the employees of the center I visited told me nothing of this charge and promised a $5 30 day trial. The lady told me to read my contract. And indeed I found this in my contract.

I had to pay $62 to Bally's Fitness Center but I will never be back. The employees need to be honest about their terms and not try to cheat the clients hoping they will never read what they sign.

Comments

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  • 0
    let's shut down Bally's
    I had a similar experience.  I went with my 7 days free trial and the trainers and the managers tried to talk me into signing a contract.  The only plan they ever talked to me about was $150/300 enrollment plus $60 per month, when I told them the plan was not within my budget.  The manager offered me a  half price.  But I decided to use up my pass before I made a decision. Ever since the moment I told them my decision, they didn't even talk to me and the trainer even "lost" the trial pall I handed to him earlier.  He made me wait at 20 minutes preventing to find it while all he was doing was talking to other trainers/salespeople.  Finally I left without getting my pass back.  I was so angry that I'd never go back and I'll tell all my friends and colleagues not to go to this gym.  Don't they know what being a honest business mean?
    When I was scanning through the complaints, I was surprised how the government would still allow these gyms to operate when so many complaints were filed about Bally's.  
    The location of the Bally's Total Fitness is 15 & Walnut streets, Philadelphia, PA
  • 0
    Jack Herold
    May 2, 2008:  Got an invoice today stating I owe $27 and change for dues plus $27 and change for (one monthe) past dues.  My membership expired April 7, 2008.  I called to speak to a rep. after being put on hold for 10+ minutes (due to high volume) I talked to a young lady who ATTEMPTED to explain that I have a lifetime membership with Bally's even though my contract was up 4-7-08 and that is why I owe dues.

    I stated to her how can I owe when there is no contract.  She said cuz Bally's says I have a lifetime membership.  Then I said then why does all wrrtten correspondence and my account online state that my membership expired 4-7-08 (paid in full I might add).  SILENCE from the ill-equipped and naive rep.

    Then, I said, so let me get this straight, according to BALLY LOGIC, I CAN'T go to the gym until I sign a new contract and pay current and past dues for a contract I don't have.  So, if I wait a year to go to the gym and then sign up for a NEW (required) contract I will still owe the past dues for that previous year even though I had no contract and OBVIOUSLY did not go to the gym.  SILENCE broken only by "UH's".

    Furthermore, I asked her to explain how I could have an "expired membership" and a so-called "lifetime membership" BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.....no answer.

    Finally, I asked her, am I required to pay the so-called current and past dues (per this invoice) for a contract I DON'T have and she said "of course not".  Which brought me back to my original question, then how could I owe money for "current dues" and "past dues"?  NO ANSWER!

    Then, I stated to her that perhaps if Bally's would stop playing shell games with words, interpretations and smoke-and-mirrors marketing, then perhaps their (ex)customers wouldn't experience the long hold times due to high call volume.  And, I hung up.

    WOW, new ownership, same ole' bull$hit games from Bally's...may they rot in h#ll!
  • 0
    Manuel F. Olivarez
    I understand your situations.  I was foolish myself with these people and now I owe over $1000.00. I cannot afford a lawyer and do not know what else to do with them.  Believe me I got bamboozled by them.
  • 0
    J L
    I also signed a 3 year contract with an understanding that if I wanted to cancel before 3 years were up I would need to pay a $30 dollar fee. When I went to cancel a year after I enrolled I was told that the $30 dollar fee was if I wanted to cancel AFTER 3 years. I could not transfer my account to someone wanting to take it over or anything! They just wanted the money... The club was very old school, and not in a good way. If at all possible find a diferent club to work out at, it is bad for you health to be stressed out about being tricked into contracts!
  • 0
    AMIT Soni
    When i joined bally, i was told that the first 1 month was free trial, and after that they will charge me 37$/ month.I never thought of the 3 year contract as the employee did not tell me anything about the 3 year contract.So i simply took it as monthly basis thing.But after 1 month when i checked this thing in my credit report, i was surprised.Then i read my 3 year contract.This was surprising.At least these people have mentioned about 3 year thing, in when i was joining them.They have fooled me.Ofcourse nobody expects these kind of things from such a big organization.These people need to be shutdown before they fool other people.I am feeling so bad when i am giving my hard money to these [***].
  • 0
    AK
    They are fooling around with people.They let me join the fitness centre on false statements.I hate these people.Shut them off........
  • 0
    Kenny26
    My wife and I made the error of joining these jerks also. I was promised that we could cancel our membership AT ANY TIME! Of course, when our financial situation became rough, as it has for so many in these times... No such luck as to quit easily. I am now ready to contact the Attorney General of my state (Arizona). He seems to get great joy in closing thieves like these down.
  • 0
    sweetbabygurl318
    Bally's is on a bunch of bull shiggedy!  I've had this stupid contract for 3 years expiring today.  But  May 30 I called them Bama's to let them know I will not be renewing and besides I moved out of state, the rep told me that I could be prorated a discount since I moved out of state and there isn't a Bally's near me, told me to fax a letter stating my intension of not renewing, a Bank Statement showing the date of my move, and a copy of my drivers license...I did and didn't hear anyhing from them.  I called those bama's again today and the rep told me I was misinformed and my refund will be .83 cent.  I wish their office was in walking or driving distance from me...[***]!! Never again
  • 0
    Vann
    I went Bally's in Redford, Michigan on Friday, August 22,2008. The cleaning cew was cleaning  and  vacuuming aound the track at 9:00 a.m. while everybody was walking and running the elderly, new customers's, trianers with trainees , people walking in groups, and couples.As ran, walk, jog, we had to step over the vacuum cleaners cord, go around the vacuum itself and plus the person. When I reported it to the front desk the ladies said the manger wasn't there and they said he wouldn't be in for awhile and there was nothing they could do. I was furious, thsi doesn't make sense big lawsuit.
  • 0
    mich2009
    By far the worst and most deceiving customer service reps ever.
  • 0
    moses
    Yeah they got me too signed up didn't know it was a 3 year contract got kinda pressured into it. the guy was like you gonna be a fatty the rest of your life lol. It angers me so much that I can't cancel it is just a gym why does it require that much commitment. Called them up to complain and they just called me a dumb kid for signing it(i'm 24 btw). sure i fell for their scam which was my fault but they are the scammers so it's more their fault. I have a nice free gym where i live at now but that clause isn't in the contract apparantly. It is just so frustrating i wish someone would do something about them :(
  • 0
    mad dad
    My 18 year old daughter and went there, believed their contract BS and was told that there was one just a half-mile from the campus.  She gets there and finds the closest to be 5 miles away.  She's got no car.  AND NOW I START GETTING THE BILLS for $45/month for three years!  NO WAY.
  • 0
    Information
    As a Bally employee, I will let everyone know how a contract with Bally works.  If you sign up for a 36, 24 or 12 month contract, the ONLY two ways to cancel are relocation or medical.  Relocation entails that you move and there is not a Ballys within 25 DRIVING MILES. (If you are a college student with a gym on campus, it won't matter if there is a Ballys within 25 miles.)
    Second, you must provide proof of this new address such as a valid lease, credit card  or bank statement with new address, utility bill in your name or new driver's license.  This carries a $50 cancelllation fee.  
    Medical requires a note from a physician stating that you cannot physically use the gym for whatever reason.  This carries NO fee.  
    This information can be mailed or faxed to the corporate office.

    HOWEVER, MY BEST ADVICE WITH THIS ECONOMY IS DON'T SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!!  They do offer month to month memerberships. It is a little more expensive but worth it because you can cancel anytime with a $25 fee and 30 day notice. If they tell you they don't, they are lying and walk from that particular club.  
    There are very shady sales people in all types of businesses.  Ballys is not an exception.  However, there are some upstanding wonderful people employed by this company.  I am one of them.
  • 0
    Frustrated Bally Client
    I was told if I moved from the particular Ballys that the contract would not longer be valid (the distance had to be >25 miles) and I would not be required to pay anything more. When I moved they changed their tune and they said you will have to call our corporate office. Ah yes, when calling the corporate office they told me well you should read your contract. Well, ya know, most people are pretty dang busy when it comes to living our lives. I don't have time to read through all your BS contract--I wanted to go month to month, but they said no we have to do a contract. I took them at their word. Do not deal with Ballys they are scam artists. If you HAVE to go with them, make SURE you get a month to month with them and DO NOT sign anything with them unless you read it first b/c you CANNOT take them at their word.
  • 0
    steve
    Ballys in Woodlyn PA allows thuggery and intimation of memebers. I had that experience as a victim and there was no repercussion to the thug.
  • 0
    troy
    I am a college student. I did the student premier 3 month and now they switch me to a month to month and keep drawing money for each month I dont go to the gym.I have been in school for the entire fall semester and randomly they draw money from my account for the next month's payment on 21 they will do it again for January...

    How do I cancel my account?
    How do I stop all of them from taking the little money I do have?

    There is a gym on campus. I live on campus.
  • 0
    Troy
    When you say it does not matter that there is a gym with in 25 miles, does that mean I qualify for this cancellation method?

    I am student. I live on campus. There are several gyms on my campus.
  • 0
    Mark
    The ability to cancel due to relocation is not true despite what it says on the contract.  I did not fall for the scam, I was told that I could cancel the contract once I move since there was not a Ballys within 25 miles.  Sure enough, it says just that on the contract, so what the employee told me and what I heard matched, so I signed and started working out there.  It came time to move and I sent in the information they needed and then they say I can't cancel the contract.  Why?  Because someone else is part of the contract who isn't moving.  The initial contract I signed states, "You may cancel this contract if client permanently moves"...the newest relocation cancelation states, "you may cancel the membership of any member who permanently relocates."  So therefore they changed the cancelation policy and are arguing that the other person on my contract isn't moving and therefore I can cancel my membership but I can't cancel the other persons, so the contract stays in effect.  They are constantly changing their cancellation rights to trap people.  Completely ridiculous.  I even have the general manager at the bally I worked out at trying to help me out of it because he did tell me before I signed the contract that I can cancel it when I relocate.
  • 0
    John Londie
    Bally is horrible, with horrible and dishonest people working for them. I joined Bally, because they told me that it was only 5 bucks for the first month and then 50 after that. They also told me that I could cancel my membership after three days without any problem. What happened was that I had a family emergency and I had to go to India. I called them to cancel and they told me that I had to call the 1-800 hot-line to cancel it. Even though I was in India, I called the number. For four days, I could not get a hold of anyone, because my membership number did not go through yet. By the time I got a hold of someone, they told me that I could not cancel it, because it was too late. It was past three days. They told me that they wanted my passport information in order to cancel it (which they have no rights to look at).  When I came back to the states, I decided to go by a promise program, where you go 17 times and then write a letter to them to tell them you want to cancel after day 60. I did that, but I had to go back to India after 58 days, so I decided to sent a registar mail from India.

    I called the company from India to make sure they got the letter, and they told me that they did not, but I faxed them the registar mail reciet to show them I did sent it and told them that I will call my lawyer if they do not cancel my membership right away. They finally agreed to do this.  For everyone that is reading this, here is something that you might be interested to know, Bally declared bankrupcy two times in about a little over a year. The recent one was early December 2008. They owe more than 700 million dollars and in 800 million on debt. The attorney office of NYC got over 600 complaints within 5 years by Bally customers, due to fraud, misleading, stealing, etc. The people over there know that they are in trouble and they have to be careful what they are going to say.

    Here is my bottom line, do not join Bally, because they are just crocks who do not want to loose their customers. They told me that they never got my letter for cancelation, but it is a lie, because I have a tracking number and receipt showing that I send them the letter and they just want to make me look bad by saying that. Now, I learned to be smart to. Bally cannot win anymore due to the number of complaints they have gotten.  

    I just hope that this website will help worn others that Bally is no good. From now on, I am just going to exercise outside my house and make my own equipment. This was a horriable experience and it costed me more than 100 dollars just for the cancelation, and even then they are trying to get into the accounts. If you sign any contract, read every word, even the fine print, or get a lawyer to read it before you sign any contract at a gym. They think that since it is a gym, the people will sign it quickly. I asked the people all the ups and downs, but they did not tell me the small things like this. For that reason, I think it is important that it is interesting to get a lawyer before you sign any paper.
  • 0
    John Londie
    Bally is horrible, with horrible and dishonest people working for them. I joined Bally, because they told me that it was only 5 bucks for the first month and then 50 after that. They also told me that I could cancel my membership after three days without any problem. What happened was that I had a family emergency and I had to go to India. I called them to cancel and they told me that I had to call the 1-800 hot-line to cancel it. Even though I was in India, I called the number. For four days, I could not get a hold of anyone, because my membership number did not go through yet. By the time I got a hold of someone, they told me that I could not cancel it, because it was too late. It was past three days. They told me that they wanted my passport information in order to cancel it (which they have no rights to look at).  When I came back to the states, I decided to go by a promise program, where you go 17 times and then write a letter to them to tell them you want to cancel after day 60. I did that, but I had to go back to India after 58 days, so I decided to sent a registar mail from India.

    I called the company from India to make sure they got the letter, and they told me that they did not, but I faxed them the registar mail reciet to show them I did sent it and told them that I will call my lawyer if they do not cancel my membership right away. They finally agreed to do this.  For everyone that is reading this, here is something that you might be interested to know, Bally declared bankrupcy two times in about a little over a year. The recent one was early December 2008. They owe more than 700 million dollars and in 800 million on debt. The attorney office of NYC got over 600 complaints within 5 years by Bally customers, due to fraud, misleading, stealing, etc. The people over there know that they are in trouble and they have to be careful what they are going to say.

    Here is my bottom line, do not join Bally, because they are just crocks who do not want to loose their customers. They told me that they never got my letter for cancelation, but it is a lie, because I have a tracking number and receipt showing that I send them the letter and they just want to make me look bad by saying that. Now, I learned to be smart to. Bally cannot win anymore due to the number of complaints they have gotten.  

    I just hope that this website will help worn others that Bally is no good. From now on, I am just going to exercise outside my house and make my own equipment. This was a horriable experience and it costed me more than 100 dollars just for the cancelation, and even then they are trying to get into the accounts. If you sign any contract, read every word, even the fine print, or get a lawyer to read it before you sign any contract at a gym. They think that since it is a gym, the people will sign it quickly. I asked the people all the ups and downs, but they did not tell me the small things like this. For that reason, I think it is important that it is interesting to get a lawyer before you sign any paper.
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