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Bally Total Fitness

Bally • Sales Practices, Contracts • The 12-Day Rule • "Lifetime" Contracts • Moved Away • Maintenance • Child Care • Opening Late • Headphone Policy --- News • Bally's Customers Hope To Exercise Their Rights

We get so many complaints about Bally Total Fitness, it's a workout just to sort through them. Maybe the most important thing to know about all health clubs is that the contracts are legally binding. If you want to cancel your membership, you must do it in the manner specified in the contract -- in writing, via certified mail, usually. Otherwise you end up like Kathleen (below).

Kathleen of Waterford, MI (8/4/05):
In April of 1990, I went to the Waterford Balley's (which at that time was called Vic Tanney) with my sister-in-law to see what it was like. The girl that met with us talked me into joining. After I filled all the paperwork out, she told me that I needed to bring back a cancelled check to verify my checking account. She also informed me that if I wanted to cancel that I should contact them within 4 days. The following day I called and cancelled the membership. I was then under the impression that everything was taken care of.

Now 15 years later, as I am trying to get my finances in order to buy a house, I find out that I was turned over to a collection agency and I owe over $1100.00 to Balley�s. 15 years later!

Martin of Des Plaines, IL August 14, 2009

I signed up for a gym membership under very heavy pressure from the salesmen. Bally Total Fitness' policy indicates that you have 3 business days to cancel your membership and receive a full refund. The following day I canceled my membership, and Bally Total Fitness never refunded a penny of my money, or ever got in touch with me.

Tiffany of Laguna Hills, CA August 14, 2009

canceled my membership over 3 years ago and they still take it automatically out of my account- I tried over 20 times to call the cancellation number and every time when after 10 minutes of prompts the automated voice tells you to wait for a rep and then tells you no one is available to take your call please call back. I have called back all hours of the day more then 20 time and it is always the same. It has cost me 648 in dues for a gym I do not go to and endless hours of frustration dealing with trying to cancel

Denita of Puyallup, WA August 14, 2009

My husband pre-paid his membership for two years in May of 2008. In late 2008, that location closed. The other local Bally's does not offer a pool, spa, tennis, or raquetball. We had been on a month to month contract many years ago but since converted our membership to our own, not part of my friend's, as it originally was. At no time were we given notice that "once the money was in their hands" we couldn't cancel and receive a refund for the unused months.

I've been on the phone numerous times. Trying to just get ahold of someone is a nightmare. On July 6th the customer rep. I spoke with told me to fax a request to cancel, which I did that day. At the end of July I called to see why I hadn't received a refund yet. I was told that the fax wasn't received until July 23rd and that I "should have just sent a letter, it would have been faster". I had done just as instructed by THEIR representative!

I was told on that second call that a letter had been sent out to me and I should receive it soon. What they didn't tell me (I found this out yesterday on the phone with them) is that the letter was a DENIAL to cancel! They are saying that there is a club in the area so too bad. Well, on the phone for TWO hours yesterday and FOUR calls (due to them disconnecting on their end, giving other numbers to call which just tell me to call back to that original number, etc.) I finally got to speak with "Johnathan" a supervisor who basically told me: Too bad.

This is insane and no way to run a business! If I am displeased with the product, I have a right to cancel and receive a refund for the unused services. Especially when NOT under a contract because that period of time has lapsed.

Lauren of Boca Raton, FL August 12, 2009

I joined Bally's Davie on July 9th, 2009. I called and spoke with Gary Shipman, the GM, the person I signed up with. Cancelled my membership over the phone, I was told he could just void out my membership; I was told it was no problem, I will get all of my money back. Two weeks later when I still did not receive my money back, I spoke to Gary who called headquarters over the phone with me and I was told they don't have the paper work, it must have gone through already and that I should be getting a check in the mail in 2 weeks or so. Now, one month has gone by and I have not received my money back AND I was charged July 10, 2009 for an additional month at the Bally's Davie Gym. I called Gary who proceeded to hang up on me numerous times.

Christa of Oxnard, CA August 11, 2009

I signed up for two month obligation for Bally's Fitness paying first/last month at sign up. I was a member for two months and then went into the Oxnard Bally Fitness on 6/2/09 to cancel my membership. The girl at the counter told me that she faxed the information into the corporate office and just to check my account to make sure that next month was not taken out of my bank account. July 2009 my bank account was not charged due to paying the last month when I initially started. However, in August 2009 they started to charge my account again. I contacted the Oxnard Bally's twice on8/10/09 and the "Managers" gave me some number 866-402-2559 that no one ever answers. I called it four different times and it said to extended wait time no one was able to answer my call. I then finally went back to the actual gym and the desk attendant told me that if you press the button to add a member that someone will actually answer. He stated that other members had the same problem and that was their solution. I obligated my contract they should not be taking money out anymore. I shouldn't have to die in order to cancel a membership. I fulfilled my obligation but I cannot get a hold of anyone who wants to help me. My account was never even noted that I wanted to cancel it. I asked the attendant at the desk if there was any paperwork and she stated no. Now after two months they are taking money out again.... This is fraudalant business practices.

Stavros of Schererville, IN August 10, 2009

I cancelled my membership by sending a register mail and the signed cancelation notice to Bally months ago. I continue to receive montly bills. When I tried to call above number to complain, the recording said that there is a high volume of calls and they could not answer my call. This has been a big harrassemnt from Bally's. What can I do to stop this.

Ellen of Levittown, NY August 10, 2009

My daughter is an employee who was being sexually harassed by a new manager. When she complained to the Human Resources division of the company...the lawyer that called her back tried to intimidate her and dissuade her from making a complaint saying it would be a he said/she said situation and hard to prove. When he went to interview the manager..of course he denied it and even made up stories about things that didn't happen at the club.

My daughter also made the lawyer aware of a practice that is commonly used at the Levittown club by the manager in which he will charge members a 10 fee for a free complimentary replacement charge. The manager admitted this to the lawyer, but said he buys supplies for the club and provided receipts. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? CHARGING MEMBERS MONEY FOR A FREE CARD.

Thomas of Tucson , AZ August 8, 2009

I had joined Bally's and paid for 3 month in advance when I signed up they told me that I would recieve a membership card so that I could enter any Bally'sI kept trying to get the membership card so that I could enter the club but theyt kept denying access to the club so I called them and told them that if they could not provide me with that I wanted to cancel my membership when they failed to provide it they broke their contact with me now they have a collection agency calling me everyday.

Kristen of Sana Fe, NM August 7, 2009

Bally's continues to debit my checking account for membership dues. I have spoken, written etc. They claimed they could not find my membership # (yet were still able to withdraw funds). I put a stop payment which cost me 30 and worked for one month. It seems they began withdrawing again the following month by using a different merchant #. My bank has put a stop watch on the account, which means they will stop payment by name, not merchant #. I hope this works but I know it can't go on forever. Should I close my account? If so, I presume Bally's will report this to a credit agency.

Tommy of Hackensack, NJ August 5, 2009

Steeling money every month when I don't use it for YEARS! Won't let me cancel! I tried to prove hardship to them and they won't listen. Help!

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