Complain about a product or service

World Gym

Parvez of Monrovia, CA June 7, 2009

World Gym shut down in Monrovia, CA in Dec 2008. Apparently I found out from the city that they were notified in Jun 2008 by the land owner that the space is going to be used for expansion of parking lot for train station. The owner increased the dues and I notified them in Oct 2008 of cancellation and they still kept on charing me dues. Its a shame the owner is Armenian and low character peroson. My business partner is also armenian but has very high value compared to this low life. Its only a matter of time before the tables are turned on him. Some of the old members are thinking of a class action law suit against him and World Gym.

Deborah of Worcester, MA April 4, 2009

I joined World in 9/2008 and dues began being deducted from my bank acct automatically.I had to switch banks in January of 2009 and gave the gym's staff a letter from the bank, showing them all the acct info needed for the gym to start withdrawing dues. Unfortunately, the World Gym staff didn't enter the info correctly into their database/s and the dues for February weren't deducted. When I learned of this, I wrote a check and gave it to the staff. They said they would wave those late fees that were added on, because it was their fault that my dues didn't automatically get withdrawn.

 When I began asking for corporates address on April 2nd, the owner got mad and told me he was terminating my membership, due to the fact that they weren't meeting my needs. Meanwhile, my dues were taken out in the amount of 20.00 on April first, so I asked to be refunded. I also asked to be refunded for 29.99 which I paid in November, to lock in the 20.00 per month rate. The next day, I received a letter from them saying I owed 60.00 in dues as well as bank fees. I had to freeze my bank acct and open a new one, so they couldn't take those fraudulent fees.

To make a long story short, the owners of World Gym prevent their staff from giving info about corporate, phone numbers etc, by threatening their staff with promises of termination. Therefore,it is difficult for anyone to get a corporate address etc. Not only are the owner's ripping people off, they degrade women and I wonder if this only happens to women, cause they are too yellow-bellied to go after any man? I have been told by the owner that I have no rights and even got into an argument with him, cause he/or his staff gave out my email address, without my consent. I have an email from him stating that he did so by blackberry and he had every right to do so. Looking for a lawyer in Worcester.

My confidence has been shot down, I feel intruded upon, made to feel like I have no rights and have been unable to sleep, wondering what he is gonna do next. He has no respect for women and his muscle has gone to his head. I can't afford another gym, as they want way too much money, considering I only use maybe 3 pieces of equiptment. I was inconvenienced by having to call the bank constantly and having to open a new checking acct. When I received his letter, stating I owed 60.00, I started having an anxiety attack, wondering if he was going to try and deduct it from my checking acct. I don't owe it and they shouldn't be allowed to lie and do this to the public.

Brian of Morinville, AB April 3, 2009

I opened a 1 year membership at World Gym. When November came I applied for the 3 month freeze while I was away for work. When I got back I found that the fee had continued to come out of my account. I questioned World Gym management and was told they would wave the fee for the next 3 months to compensate. When they started taking the fee again after the freeze they started taking half of what they membership fee was, then suddenly they started taking full fee agian.

Come November the next year I applied once again for the freeze, this was fine this time but after the freeze I went back only to find my lock had been removed from my locker and the contents removed. No one at World Gym seems to know what they did with my belongings! When I found my belongings gone, I cancelled my membership February 20, 2009 only to find they continued to take fee from my bank account for March and April, and during this time nobody is returning my calls as to the where abouts of my money or locker contents.

As a result I am short more than two hundred dollars from fees after canceling membership and more than one hundred twenty dollars worth of locker contents, not to mention the many long distance phone calls because they wont return calls when they say they will.

Irma I. Perez-Duran of Rogers, AR January 9, 2009

I signed a contract to become a NEW member at the World Gym, Lowell location in Arkansas to be opened for the public on 09/05/08. I showed up to work out on 09/05/08 & the location was under construction. There was NO access by car or by foot physically into the building or its parking lot due to the construction. I was NOT notified about the changes of the grand opening nor given other options to exercise.

I sent a written NOTICE to cancel my membership by mail on Sept. 22,2008 (17 days after contract date). ABC Financial proceeded to deduct 72.05 on Dec.5,2008 from my credit card. I contacted the credit card company to temporarily STOP these monthly transactions since the company refuses to acknowledge the CANCELLATION of my membership done within 30 days of the date of the contract.

I have never had any problems being a member of other gyms...I'm used to working out to maintain my health-I wasted time since Sept.2008 waiting for World Gym to finish construction & open the Lowell facility. I had to find another place, change my plans, re-arrange my work schedule & added travel time to attend another exercise facility. ABC is giving me only two options (which do NOT apply to my case) for them to cancel the membership: either by 'relocation' or 'medical' condition. They plan to continue charging my credit card 72.05 monthly for 2 yrs. until the full amount is paid 1,729.21.

I have NOT being able to sleep well, nor can I carry a regular routine due to being worried, stress-out and wasting time sending letters/e-mails of explanation to them. The World Gym at the Lowell location (where I signed up at) did NOT open its doors until Dec.2008. I contacted the company in writing within 30 days of the written-contract's date to CANCEL my membership (that gave them well over 60 days notice in advance). Since its Grand Opening, I have NOT entered the building, I have NOT used the facility & have NOT attempted in any way or form to work out at the Lowell location or any of its locations, therefore a membership CARD, a membership key or any type of membership ID has NOT being issued under my name! They have NO right to deduct 72.05 from my credit card without my authorization.

Carolina of Fayetteville, AR January 8, 2009

I went to World Gym in Fayetteville, AR to inquire about joining, and was told by Trevor that I could join on a month to month basis without obligation. Instead, I got contracted for 24 months, billable on a month to month basis. A month to month membership was exactly what I needed, since this membership was only temporary until I went back to college. Once enrolled in college, both me an my spouse would have access to the student gym facilities, which was explained to the gym representative. And he assured me that was fine.

Now that college is about to resume, I called World Gym to cancel the membership, and was told that the contract was binding for 24 months and could not be cancelled. I was instructed to call the World Gym billing office, but got the same response there. Neither the World Gym general manager, nor the billing company, could provide the contact information for World Gym corporate headquarters. That information is also not posted on their web site.

The terms of the contract were misrepresented to me by their representative and therefore the contract should be null and void. The company should release me from the contract and any financial obligation contained therein, which would cause a financial burden for me. After this happened, I research on complaints file for World Gym and find out that what happened to me, has happened worst to other people all over the country. It is sad to see that the money of honest people have to support business like World Gym. I am thankful to be able to post my complaint, for it is all I can do.

I am a full time student, I do not work, and for the next two years it will be a financial burden to pay World Gym a fee they manage to secure unethically. I am obligated to pay a total of 1,311.00. I also have perfect credit and if I do not pay, they will ruin my score. I imagine they count on that to make sure they secure their money.

Sarah of Lumberton, TX January 5, 2009

I bought a membership at WG Beaumont, texas! I moved away after about 6 months into the contract. I knew the contract stated that i have to pay 12 months before i could cancel. so i waited til then, but i am still having a difficult time trying to cancel.

they want a letter with all this stupid info like a lease agreement of my new residence with my name on it (which is in my fiances name) or they want a utility bill with ur name on it, or a copy of my new drver's license with my new address on it! i never had my license renewed or address changed because i only moved 85 miles away! I dont have a utility bill because i move around with my fiances job, and where we move its usually included in our rent which means we dont get utility bills!

Needless to say, IM VERY ANGRY! I cant wait til i get to the bottom of this! and i hope others are saved from this happening to them!

Kasandra of Algonac, MI December 17, 2008

I received a phone call from World Gym and they said I had won a Free 2 yr membership for me and a friend and I only had to pay for insurance which was 8/mo. So I go and check out the gym which is 30 miles from my house. Jason was the employee who helped me. He didn't verbally go through the contract with me. Just took a pen and wrote where I needed to fill in my info.

So I read everything on the back in small print and signed. He asked if I wanted to pay in full (I assumed he meant full for the first month for my fiance and I) and I said ok. He went to go swipe my credit card and my fiance said that's 420! So I stopped Jason in the midst of him swiping my card and told him that I didnt catch that and I only want to pay for the first month. So he scribbled out the 420 that he wrote and put 36 but after doing that he also wrote down my credit card number and EFT payment of 363 on the 15th.

So he gives me the carbon copy with all of this on it and I'm totally unaware of what he did. I looked at my bank account yesterday and I'm in the negative. I tried contacting the manager which was impossible and so we had to go up there our selves to discuss the matter. He unprofessionaly sits us down at a table in front of a crowded gym to discuss this money that was taken out with out my consent. He said that becuase my signature was at the bottem there's nothing he could do.

Both copies of the contract are the same. I said I'm not trying to get a full refund back....just a partial credit. I didn't authorize this and now I'm almost 400 short for Christmas and my bank account has a negative balance. Is there any way that you can give me a partial credit of 300 and take the 63 as a payment and I will come in and pay more next month when I can afford it?

He told me flat out that it was out of his hands and there was nothing he could do once it's taken from my account. (which I think is total B.S.) I called my bank and they're investigating it now. My bank told me that after I had signed it and he scribbled something out is when the contract was altered and it's void. He should have written up a new contract if they were professional. But obviously they are far from this. They are a bunch of scam artists. This whole thing is a scam from what I'm reading.

Free 2 yr membership for you and a friend just pay 8/mo for insurance It's crap and now that they already took the money out of my bank account and if my bank investigates it and finds it in my favor to refund me my money, I'm worried that the gym will try and get me for breach of contract and they will send collectors after me. I don't these scammers to ruin my credit. I'm 23 and just starting to build my credit. That's the last thing I need. Ughhhhhhh I'm so angry. It's really sad that these people have no sympothy especially just before Christmas and take advantage of people like this. It's really sad!

David of Los Angeles, CA November 23, 2008

In July 2006, I signed an agreement for a one-year membership to World Gym in the city of Glendale, California. Immediately after I began visiting the gym I realized that the place was poorly maintained. Equipment, i.e., dumb and bar bells, handles and pulleys, are left strewn about the floor by inconsiderate patrons. The management team, however, does nothing to either remind patrons that equipment must be returned to its proper place nor do they make any effort to return the equipment, at least not during regular business hours. Because I was once employed by another gym, I would often go about and pick up equipment and return it to its proper place.

My 1 year membership was slated to expire on 7/26/08, at which time I would automatically be converted to a month-to-month membership. In June 2008, I called the gym and asked a representative how I could cancel my membership. He suggested I wait a few days before it was slated to expire. On July 23, 2008, I called and requested cancellation of my membership. I was told I would have to speak to Mariah. I was thereafter transferred to her voice mail where I left a message asking that she call me back.

On 7/24/08, I again called the gym. A representative placed me on hold after I advised him that I needed to speak to Mariah but did not wish to be transferred to her voice mail. Several second later, Mariah answered the phone. When I told her I wanted to cancel my membership she asked why. I explained in detail my reasons. She then said that I must submit a letter stating that I wish to cancel my membership. She said the letter must be mailed as World Gym does not accept letters personally delivered to the gym (despite the fact that her office is in the gym and she is the person who processes cancellation requests). She also asked that I include a check in the amount of 35.00 which consitutes a processing fee and that I also return my membership card which was issued to me shortly after I joined the gym.

Following her instructions, I prepared the documents she requested and delivered them to the post office later that day. On 7/29/08, while reviewing my checking account activity, I noted that World Gym had again debited 29 from my account in spite of the fact that I mailed a letter requesting cancellation of my membership and paid the 35 needed to finalize my request. I called Mariah who was aloof and curt and verified she received my request but was unable to process it in a timely manner. I pointed out that I had not only paid the 35 required to cancel my membership but had now been charged an additional 29 for a total of 54. She replied, There is nothing I can do. I reminded her that she was in possession of my membership card. She coldly stated that I could continue using the gym. All I had to do was show my driver license to person at the front desk.

I asked Mariah when she had intended on informing me that my membership had been extended another month. She replied that I would receive a letter in a few days. By the way, I never received the letter. I placed a stop payment on the check because of the 29 debit. By my calculation all I owed was 6.00. Two months later I received a bill from ASF, World Gym's contracted billing service demanding that I pay 78. The amount constituted a late fee, a processing fee and membership fees for 2 months. I realized that Mariah had reinstated my membership without permission just like she debited my checking account without my authorization.

Mariah's actions seem to be intended to damage my credit. She, without permission, allowed my account to be debited 29 after I requested cancellation of my membership. She also was in possession of my card and also lied when she said I would receive a letter advising me that my membership had been extended. The charges her company is now trying to procure from me, exceed more than 100. An email sent to me by ASF, World Gym's billing company, apologized for what I had been subjected to but also said that there was nothing they can do to resolve this matter. Mariah has caused me duress, has damaged my credit, and has taken money from my account she was not authorized to do.

Amanda of Jacksonville, FL October 19, 2008

I bought a World Gym membership for my husband's birthday in Oct. 2007. I signed a one year contract, put ninety something dollars down, and was to be charged 41.73 per month for 11 more months. They didn't take the payment out in Nov. In Dec. I received a call from a collector stating that I was in arrears since June '07! I went in to the gym and they apologized and appeared to have straightened it out with the finance dept.

They immediately took the Nov. and Dec. payments out of my bank account and were to continue taking monthly payments on the fifteenth of each month. Some months they took it as early as the thirteenth, messing up my balance to cover checks, etc. In June, they took an additional 20 for maintenance fees and notified me a week after doing so. I was looking forward to the end of the contract so I could be done with these ripoff artists.

In Sept. (the last scheduled payment) I called the gym to make sure this would be the last payment they could get and was told I had nothing to worry about, my contract was for one year only and there wasn't anything I needed to do to cancel membership. On Oct.15, they took another payment. I called the gym again and told them the situation. The woman on the phone alternated between saying that I had to notify them in writing, that it had nothing to do with her and that I needed to talk to Pat who wasn't in at the time. Iasked her if Pat would be in at three o'clock that day. She said yes so I went there after work.

Of course, he wasn't there but the woman who sold me the membership was. She said the computer showed that my membership was purchased in June! Finally, she pulled a copy of my contract showing it was bought in Oct.'07 and assured me that she was faxing head office a copy and getting me a refund for the payment they shouldn't have taken, I would have it in my account the next day and she would call me at home as soon as she had taken care of that. No call, no refund, and of course she's gone for the weekend. I suspect I'll never get it and will have to pay to cancel payments at the bank.

I have worked very hard to build and protect my credit and this could ruin it. I got laid off last month and was counting on every cent in that account for bills. I'm scrambling to cover checks and there's definitely nothing left over for thieves. My husband's birthday is here again and we might at least have been able to go out to dinner if not for the missing 42. As it is the account is overdrawn and we'll be having meatloaf. I feel like crying but I don't want to ruin his birthday further so I'm typing away on the computer and trying to be positive. We work so hard for our money and this just makes me sick!

Jason of Pompano Beach, FL September 19, 2008

Initially had a contract for gym in which I fulfilled. Contract stated that I had 30 days to cancel via certified mail before the contract ended or it was automatically renewed. I sent the letter certified mail with return receipt which was received 50 days before the contract was up - meant I was cleared out of the contract. However, World Gym continued to bill my credit card for months in which I disputed with MBNA (now Bank of America C.C.). They removed all of the charges after they found my contract termination to be effective. That was in 2005...

A few months ago, I received a call from my parents ssstating that I received mail from IC Systems collection agency(my old address which I hadn't lived in 2 years). I picked the letter up and called IC systems the next day. Explained to them that I had sent the proper documentation and I was cleared from my contract and I would be sending them those documents. I called Bank of America and they sent me their information regarding my dispute and I sent via certified mail to IC Systems.

I still received letters and calls from IC Systems stating that their policy is that I must respond to them within 30 days of the first letter to dispute the validity of the collection or else it was valid. The only problem is that the first letter I was aware of was sent a month after their alleged first letter. This is not fair for them to alllegedly send mail to an old address and expect me to receive it. Especially since I saw that they pulled my credit (which has my updated address) one month before allegedly sending the letter to my old address.

They have now reported an amount of 600 to the credit bureaus and I've filed disputes with each one. Equifax has no record of the collection, Experian removed it temporarily, and TransUnion refuses to remove it up till this point. IC Systems' operators have hung up on me each time I return their call to let them know I'm not paying it because I don't owe it. I even asked them to tell me why they were trying to collect and what it is for but they tell me that they don't have to prove anything to me. They say that it will be placed on my credit every Saturday and eventually, the credit bureaus will not remove it.

This is unfair to me as I did everything properly from the beginning. I cancelled on time by return receipt, kept copies of everything including the original contract, sent IC Systems the documentation in less than 30 days from my hearing about it, and even called IC Systems back each time they leave me a message. Yet, my good credit will be tarnished and it's nothing I can do about it. At one point, I considered paying the money just so I wouldn't have any active collection on my credit but my parents and friends instructed me not to do so as that would be admitting guilt and they could bill me up until this day. What can be done? Any advice from anyone? How can a company who knows your current address send a collection letter to an old address which means you can't respond in time and it be legal? The consumer has no rights. This is unfar trade practices.

My credit has been tarnished and oone of the credit bureaus refuses to remove it. I have worked hard to keep good credit. I now have an open collections account and this affects me negatively now and will in the future.