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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!
Toni of Oakland, CA September 25, 2008
Toni of Oakland CA (09/25/08)
I did not have a problem with my membership until my 3-year contract ended three months ago in June. I had my membership set up with automatic deductions from my checking account. Today I happened to notice a 35.00 fee from Bally's. My usual payment used to be 30.00 per month. I checked to make sure my contract had indeed expired, and then I called my local gym where I first signed up to find out what the problem was. I was told by a representative there that my expired contract converted to a month-to-month, no contract basis because I had not informed them that I explicitly did not want this to happen. I said are you serious, as I never asked for a renewal?
I reasonably thought since my contract was up that the automatic deductions would cease, not continue and increase. He said that I had to call corporate headquarters, which I will do tomorrow, to ask for a refund, and let them know I do not to renew so stop taking my money! He told me to state that I have not used the gym so I am entitled to my refund. I am crossing my fingers and hoping I will not have as hard a time as I have read about on here.
So far I am out 105 that they have taken over 3 months after my contract has expired and been fulfilled. I will know more after I contact them tomorrow. Eduardo of Miami, FL September 23, 2008
Eduardo of Miami FL (09/23/08)
My wife was a member in the early 1990's and cancel the membership on 1992. Recently we have been getting calls from different collection companies first we owe 50 dollars early this year and today we owe 780. I explain to the person that this membership was cancel in 1992 and that we were not going to paid the amount since it was cancel, and besides that it has been 16 years and Florida SOL has pass. That is when the person got really upset and threats me to break my legs.
Emotional distress Shane of San Jose, CA September 20, 2008
Shane of San Jose CA (09/20/08)
I tried to cancel my membership, as I am permanently moving to England. To cut a long story short, I went into the gym five times, every time they would lie to me to say that the person responsible (Stacey) wasn't there.
Finally, I worked out who Stacey was - she had been there the whole time. I still can't work out how to cancel my membership. Essentially, Ballys policy is to make it so hard to cancel, that you give up - and they hit you with a big debt collection bill.
J. of Temple Hills, MD September 19, 2008
J. of Temple Hills MD (09/19/08)
In 2005, I made an investment in myself and purchased a membership with Bally Total Fitness in my neighborhood. To their credit, the facility that I frequent has undergone major renovations, and for the most part is a pleasent place to go. After paying for my membership for 3 years with the understaning that those fees paid would afford me a lifetime membership, I am constantly being offered renewals to my membership.
My understanding was that after the fees were paid over that 3 year period, that my monthly membership fee would be about 17.00 per month for life! This however, is not the case. In fact, I am about to experience an increase in those fees this comming October of 2008.
I am now very disappointed in my choice, and would not recommend membership with this organization because I believe that I have been mis-infromed/ill-informed about how becomes a member for life. Relatives that I know that have had a membership with this organization have scince joined other fitness organizations.
The consequences have been an almost constant confrontation with the membership department on a monthly basis. The associates have been courteous, but I continue to believe that the specifics about my membership with Bally Total Fitness were not adequately provided when I signed on. I do not believe that there is any legal action that can be taken, but I would caution consumers considering this organization to be very prudent in their choices. Kelly of Colorado Springs, CO September 16, 2008
Kelly of Colorado Springs CO (09/16/08)
I joined Bally's with my 2 roommates last September. We used the gym 2 or 3 times a week and it was great for keeping off those freshman 15, but when we each decided not to return to the same university the following semester, so we called Bally's to see what we needed to do to cancel. They said to send in proof of relocation, so my roommates sent in bank statements from their home towns in Minnesota and Nebraska, and I sent in mine from Louisiana where I live with my boyfriend 4-6 months out of the year. None of the states have Bally's.
Well, in January I got a bill, and payed it thinking it was one last payment due. February I got a bill as well. I called and they said that they did not receive the relocation paperwork. I was able to contact one of my roommates, but not the other one, and she and I both sent in our proof of address changes--official bank statements, which is what the representative told us they needed (some sort of direct bill).
I ended up paying 350 more in April because my last roommate hadn't sent in proof of address change (or they lost it... which is much more likely). I tried emailing, calling, facebooking, etc... this other roommate to get her to send in the information but I have no way to get in contact with her.
So, last week I got a bright yellow notice saying the 1648.40 bill had gone to a collection agency in my name, since I was the primary on the account. I called Ballys and they said that I did not have my change of address form in either, though I had sent them at least 5 different copies--via email, letter, fax, etc--so I spoke with a lady named Rebecca. She said, after she put me on hold for 15 minutes and spoke with her supervisor that after my portion of the account was terminated, the name on the collection agency would be changed to the last remaining member--my roommate--and I would be in the clear. She verified that with her supervisor on the phone, so I hung up and called my bank to get another statement.
I went to fax it and Rebecca had given me the wrong number. I called back this morning and talked to Tashley, who did the same thing as Rebecca. She spoke with her supervisor, confirmed that the bill would be turned over to my other roommate with whom I am no longer in contact after my address change was verified. She also gave me the wrong fax number, and failed to write the notes on the account that I told her specifically to do.
Then, I called back later this afternoon to get the right fax number to send in the address change and I was told by a lady named Mercy and her supervisor Jan that what I had been told by 2 previous supervisors and 2 previous employees was not true. She said there were NO notes on the account (even though all 4 people said they put notes on the account) and that since my name was the name with the information (ssn, bank accounts, etc) I would be the only one they could legally charge with the fees. I know for a fact that's not true. I told Jan, supposedly a manager, that I would file legal action, and I would denounce the Bally's name every time someone asked for a reference--I have bad things about them on my personal webpages and everything. I know I've detracted at least 100 people from Bally's because of the fiasco.
So now, I have to suck up the 1648.40 that I don't have because they lost my paperwork and I have an irresponsible ex-roommate who didn't send in paperwork. I refuse. They should honor their word for once and take my name off and charge the remaining roommate for the overdue amount. If I had the money to, I'd sue the corporation for everything they're worth. They've cost me about 1000 already, plus this 1700 that they want. And I REFUSE REFUSE REFUSE to pay it. You can't get blood out of a turnip... and you can't get money out of a broke person.... I just wish I could afford a lawyer.
By the end of this, at least 2700 down the drain. Even when my account is in the clear, the Gym says it's not active, so I payed off 400 in april and STILL COULDNT USE THE GYM!! HOW STUPID!!! They hassled my grandparents (somehow got their number and address... probably because they're on my credit report) and have caused more emotional trauma than I could think of one corporation causing. My father was just in a terrible motorcycle accident, and NOW is the time that Bally's hassles me about the wrongful money that I DONT EVEN OWE THEM--my ROOMMATE owes them because she's the only remaining member on the account. I've payed too much, and I want 10 times that for all the time and effort they've managed to suck out of me.
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