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ComplaintsFitness CentersBally's Fitness Center

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

  • 0
    THOR
    I think they fired all the real people and all that is left is a phone menu and recordings. I have tried for hours to talk to a real person with no luck. I have been a member since 1976 but it does not matter to them
  • 0
    Nicolas P.
    I just finished paying for a three-year contract in which I was dishonestly sucked into. I attended the facility for one year. I payed for the remainder of the two contract, rather than be subjected to further aggravation, lies, and humiliation. Bally's supervisors and representives were extremely rude, arrogant, and condescending. The facility’s equipment was shoddy and unmaintained, and the restroom and shower provision were nothing less than repulsive. Complaints went disregarded. The person\s whom own or run this company have no pride and integrity, and should be ashamed of themselves. I would never again join or recommend Bally's. SHAME ON YOU BALLYS!!!!!!
  • 0
    bro
    hey all you people are right, but wut u should add is make sure u dont sign wut u dont fully under stand.
  • 0
    AD DAVIS
    I TOO GOT JERKED BY BALLY'S.  THEY SAID I COULD CANCEL  MY MEMBERSHIP, BUT AFTER TWO WEEKS THEY SAID I MISSED THE DEAD LINE AND COULD NOT CANCEL UNLESS I PAID $1,800.00 DOLLARS.  I NEVER WENT BUT TWICE TO THE GYM AND I TOLD THEM I WOULD NOT BE BACK.  THEY TOLD ME I WAS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FEES NOW WHEATHER I WENT OR NOT.  I AM A STUDENT AND CAN'T AFFORD THAT EVERY MONTH, BUT THEN AGAIN I GUESS I NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL SINCE I NEVER READ THE 10 PAGES OF EXCEPTIONS ATTACHED TO JOINING THIS GYM.
  • 0
    bucky
    great clubs for the money. mostly great people. come on folks take some personal responsibility.  your cable bill is a far bigger rip off! get off your butts
  • 0
    Sucks to be me
    There's this plan that you can paid off your membership for 1/2 off in advance.  so instead of $ 1200  for 36 months I only have to pay $ 600.  and if I move overseas than i shouldnt be lost that much.  I'm thinking about doing that instead.  Any advise??  I'm already a member so I'm screwed too
  • 0
    David
    Hey did you ever get your contract cancelled? I'm in the same situation and was hoping you could give me some tips on what I need to do
  • 0
    Dave
    Hey,

    I just called them today and they said I was on a month-to-month membership plan. They said they were going to stop the deductions from my bank account and that was it because my contract was over. Try calling if you haven't already. I'll let you know any updates if I still get billed.
  • 0
    Thida
    Thanks God !! I got the chance to look into this site.. My boyfriend and I was looking forward on joining Balley's but after reading all the reports .. we shell not!! Thanks !!!
  • 0
    Thida
    Thanks God !! I got the chance to look into this site.. My boyfriend and I was looking forward on joining Bally's but after reading all the reports .. we shell not!! Thanks !!!
  • 0
    Daksha Shah
    This company is unethical.  They do not honor any contract.  Our contract said increase for cost of living however they DOUBLED the fee in 3 years.  When I talked to the customer relations, they told me to take it or leave it.  Obviously I will leave but I will make sure that other 30 people leave this club.  I am determined to make sure that they honor their contract or they loose most of their customers.  They do not deserve to be in business.  Only course for them is to go bankrupt and close the company.
  • 0
    Jenne
    Bally's is the worst.  I joined a Bally's (San Antonio, TX) in 1999 and became sick and had to quit teaching mid semester.  Not only was I physically unable to use the club anymore but I moved back home 60 miles away.  I had made monthly payments up to that point and as far as I was concerned, did not owe anything. For ten years I have been harrassed by various collection agencies which I find unbelievable, as the statute of limitations is 7 years.   Bottom line:   DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH BALLY'S.  They are scum.  In fact, I would advise never never signing a contract with any fitness center.  Join the YMCA if you are able.
  • 0
    CC.. LAW
    Hey out there to everyone who has been complaining. I use to work out at Bally's and FYI THEY ARE GROSS!

    The weights are everywhere
    They don't allow you to bring your own lock, and their locks are expensive
    The employees hit on women when their working out.
    And for the past two years they have been rated as one of the top5 worst gyms in America.

    Has anyone considered filing a class action law suit?
  • 0
    dennis
    for those of you who have electronic transfers for your payments, call or visit your bank and see if they can do a permanent stop payment against ballys, and  if that doesnt work, cancel your bank account and open a new one. that will stop it for sure. dont let bally's bamboozle you! ballys is such a crooked company its just amazing they are still in business. it will be a great day when they close their doors for good.
  • 0
    Saddle Brook ,NJ - "stay away"
    #1. Steam Room has been out of order for three (3 ) months

    #2. The lifeguard speaks "Spanish" only, Repeat "Spanish" only. As result she cannot communicate and tell English Speaking members in America to "TAKE A SHOWER BEFORE ENTERING THE WHIRLPOOL"

    #3. The Manger must be fired - never knows what is going on

    #4 The whirlpool is very frequently closed and rarely does the manager know why
  • 0
    M.S.
    I see that things have never changed since the early 1980s.  Back then Balleys was doing just the same thing to customers by making up verbal agreements and telling customers that they don't need to be concerned if they move out of state where there is no Balley's gym.  Back then they told me that if I move that all I had to do was just send a letter of explanation to the corporate headquarters and they would let me out of the contract which I signed for 3 years and I was of course transferred out of state the following week.  For 10 years I was hounded and my credit was ruined because they ignored my letters and sent the bill to collection agencies.  Please if you want a gym  to work out at then don't ever sign a contract of any kind and please do not give them your credit card for any reason.
  • 0
    Pete
    So Today I got served some court papers by a sheriff, it states I owe Ballys over 3000.00 from back in 2003. It's hard to understand this especially since there is no Ballys where I live. I think the closest one is an hour away. Now I have to go to court and get this thing sorted out... Never been to a Ballys and after this I will never even consider it...
  • 0
    marsha
    I was sold a "fixed" annual price & the ability to use any Bally's gym (the salesman said the contract would take days, summed it up with false info, asked me to make another appt because he was leaving for an appt.  my fault -i believed him). For your reading enjoyment, go to Bally Total Fitness in wikipedia.com for more info. File a complaint with the BBB and write a letter to:  Mike Sheehan, CEO  Bally Total Fitness Corporation, 8700 West Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, IL 60631

    (If anyone plans to take advantage of their classes, ask to watch or participate in classes before signing a contract. The instructors at our gym use the hour for their personal exercise regiment and don't help members with correct postures. Some of the newest 'professional' trainers are overweight (not dishing, just think it preposterous that someone in this capacity doesn't resemble the epitomy of health and fitness) and most trainers aren't teaching the correct methods for lifting, lunges, squats, etc.  Yoga mats are filthy and there is never enough equipment for each person in the class)
  • 0
    arnynurse
    I signed a contract and it says I can cancel if I move and there is no ballys near me. I paid the cancellation fee and they cashed the check and still continue to take money out of my account. My husband and I are now living in HI where there are no Ballys so basically I am paying for something I am not using. I am in the Military so I plan on going to JAG to help me sort this out because they are stealing my money.
  • 0
    inquirer1
    Did you get billed again?

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