Cancelling Gym Membership Advice?

Question

Hello-

I joined a cheap gym several years ago and realized you get what you pay for. I have not attended this gym since june 2006-it is now almost aug 2008.

I went in in Jan 08 to cancel the membership. However, there was no record of this event taking place. I have been charged every month since. It is a small amount so I haven't squawked. My husband and I did some financial moving and changed some accounts around in May. I forogt about this lapsed gym and when they went to charge me for the JUne 2008 membership fees it was declined due to teh new accoutnt. I was annoyed and got a bill for the dues and double late fees. I sent it back certified snail mail --the owner was very rude to me with a letter to cancel the membership. He still has not and I just recieved another bill and late fee for July 2008. I have asked multiple times for this account to terminated immediatly and they wont do it. They held the check and (several days) HELP--thank you

Answer 1

Oh the old gym membership cancellation dance.

This is the worst thing about the health/fitness industry.  It's surprising the commerce department hasn't done more to regulate this business as the practice of trying to cancel a membership is borderline criminal.  Bottom line is this- if you still have the receipt from the certified letter you need to burn a copy of that and send it back to them in yet another certified letter. This letter will state that receipt as proof you cancelled and demand they honor it as of the date on the receipt.  If they fail to do so you will report them to the BBB, the department of consumer affairs, and will retain the option of prosecuting them for fraud.   You cannot s***w around with these lowlifes. The gym has nothing to do with it, they use a 3rd party billing company and they are too often less than honorable in their business practices.  Good luck.

Answer 2

You could do many things.  First off, if you did send notification of cancellation by certified mail and you have the dated USPS receipt and they still tried to process a payment dated after the cancellation notice,  then that would be criminal intent.

Your best bet is contact your states attorney generals office to file a complaint. You may get your money back plus interest and any fees you incurred.

Here is a link to find yours

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/atto...

Hope this answers your question.