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Lucille Roberts - Self-Renewing Contracts

Lucille Roberts • Self-Renewing Contracts • Cancellation Fees • Facilities • Other Problems

Upon hearing all the complaints about Lucille Roberts' self-renewing contracts, we turned to the state's General Obligations Law, Section 5-903 of which provides that self-renewing contracts are not enforceable unless the vendor sends written notice of reminding the customer of the renewal provision. Such notice must be sent between 15 and 30 days prior to the time the contract would renew and must be delivered personally or by certified mail.

Unfortunately, like most things that sound too good to be true, the General Obligations law goes on to state, in Section 5-903.3, "Nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to a contract in which automatic renewal period specified is one month or less."

John Chan, Customer Service Manager for the Lucille Roberts chain, informs us that, in fact, memberships are renewed on a monthly basis after the initial term. In other words, if a consumer signs a one-year agreement, he or she can give notice effective within 30 days anytime after the first year.

As with any contract, notice must be in writing. It's a good idea to send contract cancellation notices via certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep a copy of your letter and, when you receive it, keep a copy of the receipt, so that you can prove the club received your letter.

Janine of N. Shirley, NY September 29, 2009

On 5/23/07 I joined Lucille Roberts. During the sign up, there was a black out in the shopping center Lucille Roberts is located in. The salesperson could not print out my card, I had already made my payment. I left with the other paperwork (no membership card). I didn't go back immediately, and soon found out I was pregnant. Due to the fact I was high risk, I was not able to work out. I went to the gym to defer the membership so that I can resume after I had my daughter. When I went in to defer my membership, the salesperson couldn't find my membership. At that point, I had paid a few months of my membership, and even had a letter sent from their corporate office. The woman basically ignored the letter and told me to contact the corporate office. So I have no membership on file, so I can't work out there, no one answers the corporate office phone, and they have consistentaken 23.00 from my account for almost 2 years. I have called, emailed and sent letters...not a single reply!!!! What a scam. I will never ever ALLOW a single person that I know to join that gym. My concern is that my 2 year sentence is almost over, and I do not want them to renew my contract.

Linda of Roselle, NJ September 21, 2009

I have been a member of Lucille Roberts since April 2009. I signed myself and daughters as well after the salesperson said that there is no commitment if we all signed up. I noticed on the card that it says 1 yr membership. I called custeromer service to cancel my membership and was hold for a very long time. I spoke with customer service to no avail. I then asked for a supervisor. The rep was not helpful and got very rude. Sherry the supervisor was just as rude and did not and would cancel my membership without having to pay over 150. That is ridiculus. In today's time - cancelation fees can be and should be removed. Now I am stuck paying for a membership to a gym I no longer use. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! I asked Sherry who is her superior and she said she is it - she runs customer service and there is no one above her.

Lori of Lake Grove, NY May 19, 2009

Started a 2 year contract in August 2005, should have ended in August 2007. Lucille Roberts continues to deduct money monthly. When you try to reach them on the customer service number the line is either busy or you remain on hold for extremely long periods of time, and you can only contact them during the hours of 9-4 with no one available between the hours of 12-1.

There is never any notification of them renewing your contract after your original contact is up, all contracts become monthly self renewing contracts in order for them to get through the loop hole of the law. Not fair to consumers. When you finally do get in touch with someone they tell you they needed it in writing you wanted your contract cancelled. However when asked to fax notice of cancellation in order to avoid any further deduction, you are told they don't handle things in that manner. ***I have been charged 20.98 per month for a total 314.70, so far.

Tanya of Brooklyn, NY April 13, 2009

Tanya of Brooklyn NY (04/13/09)
i signed up for a 1 year contract in 07 and im still being charged. when you try calling the customer service number you never get anyone or its busy. i never in my life had to deal with something like this ive be trying for almost a year to speak to a person and see why i am still being charged. A good friend of mine is going through the same thing with this gym. This is not fare what they are doing. they make it so easy for you to sign up but nearly impossible to speak with a customer rep to get this issue resolved. Please Help!!!!

the way times are now i need every little bit of money i get. and it hurts be when i see they keep taking out over 26 out my account. This is making me feel so helpless and lost on how to fix this issue with them.

Marilyn of Fresh Meadows, NY March 13, 2009

Marilyn of Fresh Meadows NY (03/13/09)
I signed a 2 year contract with lucille roberts 3/6/2003, my contract was due to expire on 3/6/2005. With out my knowledge or consent lucille roberts has been charing my account from the date of expiration until 2/27/2009 i was frustrated and outraged that this company had been charging me for a membership that i thought was terminated. I payed a visit to my former gym and asked why was i still being charged and i was told something about a roll over contract and that there was nothing i could do about it, that it was stated in my contract which is a bunch of bull, i would have never agreed to those terms.

This explains why my account was often coming up short when i was sure that i had enough in my account to cover my bills, i just feel so violated and helpless. These people need to be stopped.

Sulimeira of Bronx,Ny, NY March 8, 2009

Sulimeira of Bronx,Ny NY (03/08/09)
This is the second time that I put a complaint against them. I Signed one year deal for lucille roberts gym and i stopped going over a year ago. They keep taking money out of my bank account, they stopped and started all over again. I contacted my bank and they said that i should put a complaint against them. I never signed a paper saying they would automatically take money out of my account. Nor did i sign a 2 year membership.

Judy of Massapequa, NY February 19, 2009

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