Won't refund dues
Complaint
Carol - Ohio
Country: United States
Goodale LA Fitness so I joined. I only had a 6 month lease and told them I was moving on June 30 but I wouldn't mind having a trainer until then. I specifically read the section in the contract that said I could cancel and since I knew I was moving to Grand Rapids Michigan and no LA Fitness was within 150 miles, I figured I could successfully cancel.
I sent them an email on May 30 saying I was moving, etc. I got a canned response that said I had to still pay. I sent them a registered letter which they received in June. They said I had to show them a signed copy of my new lease. I could not get the lease on my new place until June 26. I went into the gym on the 28th with a copy of the lease and the turkey (I will be kind) at the reception desk said she didn't need to keep a copy but made notes in the computer since the manager wasn't there. Tried like heck for her to keep it but she kept trying to tell me to keep the electronic key card. Go figure, I'm moving 350 miles away in 2 days!
The manager was sent a copy of my paid renter's insurance (electronically signed) and a copy of my lease which was not electronically signed. That was early July. Her email reply went into spam and I didn't catch it until 3rd week in July. Since this "business" has no fax machine, I wasn't going to spend $20 sending anything to the manager only to hope she'd forward it on. They take the dues out on the 3rd of each month. They took July's out and I closed my debit card. I sent a copy of my signed lease via mail along with additionall emails. I got 4 phone calls (nasty, too) from them on the 1st about owing them money. They got an earful on the 4th call.
I did successfully get my membership cancelled but they owe my $220 and I'm not letting it drop. I will pursue them like they pursued me. Only I will use the California Attorney General's office and Michigan's too. I will also talk to the Columbus news stations that help people with issues like this. Next time I do anything like this, I'm recording the conversation!!! And I'll make sure I get a recording from the manager too!!
I sent them an email on May 30 saying I was moving, etc. I got a canned response that said I had to still pay. I sent them a registered letter which they received in June. They said I had to show them a signed copy of my new lease. I could not get the lease on my new place until June 26. I went into the gym on the 28th with a copy of the lease and the turkey (I will be kind) at the reception desk said she didn't need to keep a copy but made notes in the computer since the manager wasn't there. Tried like heck for her to keep it but she kept trying to tell me to keep the electronic key card. Go figure, I'm moving 350 miles away in 2 days!
The manager was sent a copy of my paid renter's insurance (electronically signed) and a copy of my lease which was not electronically signed. That was early July. Her email reply went into spam and I didn't catch it until 3rd week in July. Since this "business" has no fax machine, I wasn't going to spend $20 sending anything to the manager only to hope she'd forward it on. They take the dues out on the 3rd of each month. They took July's out and I closed my debit card. I sent a copy of my signed lease via mail along with additionall emails. I got 4 phone calls (nasty, too) from them on the 1st about owing them money. They got an earful on the 4th call.
I did successfully get my membership cancelled but they owe my $220 and I'm not letting it drop. I will pursue them like they pursued me. Only I will use the California Attorney General's office and Michigan's too. I will also talk to the Columbus news stations that help people with issues like this. Next time I do anything like this, I'm recording the conversation!!! And I'll make sure I get a recording from the manager too!!
Comments
This type of fraud is systemic in the industry.
They depend on signing up suckers with every new year, so they are set up to throw back "reasons" for not cancelling as long as they can get away with it. Even if they accepted your "cancellation" they would probably keep taking your money, "accidentally" of course.
You notified them of your cancellation by registered letter, and provided multiple documents showing cancellation was in compliance with the contract. The rest is bullsh*t. Costs them nothing to keep throwing it at you, and even pays off as long as you buy it.
Block your card number or shut down your account to prevent further charges.
It's the only way to actually stop them.
Contact the California Attorney General for assistance.
If some collection agency starts harassing you, get an attorney and sue them. You can find a consumer attorney in your state through www.naca.net