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Aha! Bally's Total Fitness, after Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office investigated them, has agreed to stop its "high-pressure sales tactics and other dishonest practices" used to get poor, unsuspecting people to join their gyms. There were over 600 complaints about Bally's over the past five years, and Spitzer's office said Bally's "engaged in deceptive and unlawful business practices." And based on many reports, Bally's customer acquisition and retention strategies are built on tricking customers and harrassing them when they try to leave. Yes, it's like going to a strip club. As any New Yorker with a gym membership knows, joining a gym is like joining the the worst useful cult in the world - you know you need it but you're treated like crap. That's why Gothamist can't wait until it's nice outside to go running. Or at least walk while we're taking pictures.
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That reminds me of the old Friends episode where they tried to cancel their gym membership and ended up getting suckered into more.
http://www.nbc.com/Friends/episode_guide/77.html
yeah- i remember this one time i went to bally's to ask if they had elliptical training machines, and three years later i woke up to discover that i'd been selling gym memberships in cinncinatti the whole time.
i thought i had an easy time canceling my nysc membership, but i kept trying to do it over the weekend and the managers were either out to lunch, not there, or they were having computer issues. when i finally got around to doing it again, all i had to do was fill out a paper fax form!
Suck it up! Run in the cold! It makes you feel tougher than the poor saps trapped in overpriced fitness clubs!
whenever i move, i'll be right across from the ymca and i hope to siphon my money into their coffers as soon as i can.
my parents got me one of those lifetime membership deals a while back so i can't even quit even if i want to because the annual fee is cheap. But over the last year, I've been going to my friend's apt to work out at the little gym his building has. That's how much I hate Bally's.
A friend of mine went in, did the paperwork to cancel, and thought it was all done with. Then several years later she was hit with a small claims lawsuit from a collection agency for $500. They said she had never cancelled her membership.
Now this friend is not the most organized person. Not even close. Did she actually cancel? Yes. Did she keep a receipt, or a copy of the cancellation notice? No way.
Eventually she found a clause in the agreement that she leveraged to get out. If you move and are 50 miles or more away from a Bally's, then you're free and clear. Some states don't have 'em. It just so happened that she had moved to one of those states.
What amazes me is that somebody running the show at Bally's really believes that the "hook 'em and suck out the money" strategy is a good idea. It must be generating incredible PR.
Joining Bally's is like being a Gay Catholic, apparently.
One of the best kept secrets in NY are the NYC rec centers.
A few years ago annual membership used to be only ~$25/year.
if Gothamist has any readers under 18, it's free, and for Gothamists' senior readers, it's $10.
For the rest, it's $50/yr, or 75/year if you want to be able to go to the ones w/pools.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/recreation_centers/rc_member_info.html
Equinox is no better. They mail these flyers of promotions and deals. When you go purchase it, you don't get added on incentives because you're not "new" member, because it's in the fine fine print.
bastards.
I got railroaded by them about 10 years ago... They really try some sneaky stuff, I'm surprised it's taken this long for them to be investigated... What's funny is that when one gym signed me, another Ballys counteroffered with a lower price... So within the 3 day "trial period" I was able to cancel my original membership and sign on cheaper with another branch.... They are soo cuthroat they undermine their own business.
Bally's is a franchise, like McDonalds. There is no central leadership except for the franchise rules. That explains why you get different rates between bally's, different owners each wanting more members even for a little less.
Being a Franchise also means they can do whatever they want as long as they're clean for inspections. Just remember to keep that filing cabinet up to date next time or use a disposable credit card number to use with your membership, if they try to jip you and charge it again it'll say it's no good, nothing goes by unnoticed.
One big difference for McDonalds though is that they are very strict about holding their franchises to certain standards. Basically a few "bad apples" can ruin it for the whole chain, so McDonalds has been known to shut down stores that aren't run up to their standards.
I've heard of this happening in the hotel business, too. A friend of a friend was the guy in charge of checking on the franchises. He was known to revoke the franchise if they didn't shape up.
Of course it takes a lot of time and effort for the head office to fight this battle, and it's an ongoing one for almost any franchise. Seems like Ballys is really dropping the ball by not maintaining high standards.
Last summer I saw a commercial for Bally's that advertised a special of $18 down, $18/month. I called Bally's the same day I saw the commercial and they told me I needed to go to their location to join. When I got there, I was told the membership fee was $86. Although I reminded them about the commercial I had seen that day, they said that special had ended the day before and I now had to pay $86. They wouldn't go down on the price and I told them I was only willing to pay $18 as advertised. They weren’t happy with me, so I left without ever becoming a member.
A few weeks ago, I saw another Bally’s commercial advertising a special of $19 down, $19/month. Guys, don’t fall for it – chances are it’s a distortion of the truth.
what amazed me recently was the amount of pressure gyms put on you when you're shopping around for one. if you call just to ask about the rates, they will pressure you to give them your first name right away, then over-use it in a very annoying way while trying to chat you up in that annoying hyper gym voice. most of them won't give you prices over the phone, and then when you get there, make you go through the whole tour before quoting a price. on top of that, if you ever make the mistake of giving them a phone number, they will call you every day, or multiple times a day, asking you if you've made up your mind about joining. i know they work on commission, but it's gym membership, not a car or a house...
I'm with Jed. Go run outside. It was warm enough to run in shorts today.
I find it very funny that the NY Post exposed Bally Total Fitness for there fraudulent ways and activities, only to turn around and partner up with Ballys in a current contest. Isn't there a conflict here?
I find it very funny that the NY Post exposed Bally Total Fitness for there fraudulent ways and activities, only to turn around and partner up with Ballys in a current contest. Isn't there a conflict here?
Ballys! This company is a total rip-off. I went to the Portchester facility with a friend back in 1998 and was offered a one week free membership.
I never took advantage of the membership and never returned that day. I went to purchase a car and *Bam* $1600 debt on my credit report from Bally's. Recently they sold my information to another debt collector because I refused to pay. These people are criminals and need to be brought to justice.
does anyone know where you can file an official complaint against ballys? my husband and i r both members, have been members for two years. now everytime we work out, it seems like the club has new rules like the use of training balls and free weights restricted to personal trainers; that my husband cannot train me - its not like he is selling me a training service and the staff/employees are nothing short of rude and obnoxious. there is no way you can cancel the membership, because technically they make u buy the membership upfront and u basically pay it off ... as if getting a loan out for a car or house. same principal. i am really fedup with them and need to know where/who i can write to, to get their asses kicked. any help is appreciated.
thanks.
We joined Ballys recently. The sweet talking saleswoman said we can cancel any time by paying $50. But the fine print in the contract says I can only cancel if I move to a place where there is no Ballys within 25 miles of my new address.
This is a one sided contract. I feel like a slave labourer today. I was busy for a month with other issues and could not go 12 times. So I am stuck with it for 3 years.
Is there any recourse?
I've been a member for years, starting when it was Jack LaLane's. Lately I'm pissed because I can't seem to use the treadmills in Englewood Cliffs, NJ without seeing Dennis Miller's face on at least 3 TV screens. I would like to watch anyone on CNN, instead of that avowed Bush sympathizer on CNBC, but the attendants tell me the stations buttons are 'glued' according to policy established by Bally's headquarters in Chicago. It doesn't work well for me to go at a different time. I would prefer not to drop my membership, but I feel like my money to Bally's somehow supports Bush's reelection prospects and I would rather shoot myself in the foot.
I will try to get back in the day to speak with the manager about this, and if appropriate, the person responsible in Chicago. Does anyone else think this might be a small example of the corporate cronyism that keeps the creeps in power?
I joined Bally's last year thinking that I could cancel at any time...boy was I wrong..I was told to sign the contract so quickly, that I couldn't even read what I was signing. In one year, I've probably gone 4 times. I wanted to cancel, and they said I had to move, or die. I moved. I have creditors calling me, they're calling me...5 customer service reps told me the distance was 20 miles..now some other lady is telling me 25-30. I'm going to throw myself in front of a bus, so I can get a doctor's note! I think Bally's Total Fitness was built on a HELL MOUTH.
My Wife signed up with bally's about a year and a half ago for a 3 year commitment. She hurt herself probably working out, but needless to say she has a hernitated disc and she has a physcians note forbidding her to work out using weights,running, aerobics etc...has anybody ever had problems getting out of their contract with Bally's due to physical incapabilities? I am just trying to brace myself for a long difficult episode. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice in this matter!
HELP! Mike Garden City MI
I got a gym membership and went to the gym to cancel because I was moveing and the closest gym would be 50miles from where I live. They told me I had to call the main business to cancel. After 2 weeks calling everyday and being put on hold for 45 minutes!! I got threw and they told me even though I moved I could still travel 50 miles! And the only way to cancel would be to write the main corporation in California and send $50.00! I wrote them telling them how unhappy I was with their services and was cancelling. Then I cancelled my account so they couldn't take out money direct from my account. I got a letter stateing they couldn't take my payment and was going to be charged extra. I cancelled 2 months ago!!
i got robbed at a bally's and i had a lock on it and they still told me it was my problem and there was nothing they could do about it
I purchased a Bally's membership off eBay. Paid $300.00 for it and a $100.00 transfer fee. I pay $110.00 a year for dues. I live in Chicago and all the gyms I go to are nice. EXCEPT SIX CORNERS. It used to be great. Now they have classes for kids. These kids run amok. The roll free weights down the tracks, swing off machines. The classes don't start till 4pm yet I see parents drop their kids off at noon. These bored little tykes play and make havoc till 4pm. What this Bally's is doing is basically running an unlicenced day care center. I've seen kids rev the treadmills up and shoot coke bottle as well as themselves off of it. Lorena the GM at the health clubs says she doesn't see a problem with it. They are just having fun. I would love to find out who hold the insurance policy for this Bally's as I'm sure if they knew the GM approved of 4 and 5 year olds lifting free weights (after all as Lorena says "they're just having fun) they would revoke their insurance coverage of the place
Hey, This probably comes at no shock but I am trying to cancel my Bally's membership which I had thought I did in April of this month, 5 months later I get a demand for payment letter over $2,000. I called them and all they would say over and over again is you never cancelled! They refused to let me talk to anyone else in the company and refused the fact that I had cancelled. They stated you cannot cancel! My reason for canceling is this: I was being harrassed by the personal trainers there which wanted me to sign up for a training seesion for over $2000. After 6 refusals from myself, they had me cornerd in a little room and 2 trainers lectured me on how I am fat! yes they said I was fat! And that since I haven't been able to lose the weight I will always be fat unless I sign up for the $2000 training, that you can't lose the weight by yourself, talk about trying to pressure you into something, I refused again, and left after a 20 minute lecture, trapped in a room, crying after being verbally abused about my weight which I had gone there in the first place to work on. So, now I am stuck, Does anyone know what I should do? If anyone wants to join a gym do not join Bally's. If anyone knows how to help me can you please email at Lemontwist484@hotmail.com. Thank you
What a nightmare. I signed up at Bally's in July & the Bally's rep told me "just go 12 times in the next month & if you're not happy with the place just send a letter within 40 days - money back - no problem". Well....I followed criteria perfect and decided to cancel. The 1st letter I mailed after 3 weeks "mysteriouly" never arrived, so I decided to send it certified mail with a receipt. A few days go by, and the receipt comes back. "Great" I think - all cancelled. (No such luck). After numerous calls to find out why they hadn't refunded any money to me, I finally got ahold of a rep and he says "you only went 11 times". Somehow Bally's has conveniently dropped my last 2 visits so I wouldn't quality for the opt-out. I've only been dealing with this for a few days and am already completely stressed out. They are running the biggest scam of all time. I plan on getting lawyers & the better business bureau involved if I don't get this resolved soon. If anyone has any information on who to talk to - to get some real results PLEASE email me (mrjeremy88@hotmail.com). THANKS!!!
need help?, check out
http://www.ballysucks.net/
I myself joined another gym, I cancelled the membership a year after I joined, it turns out they were still charging me after I cancelled. That's just not right.
Just another cancellation nightmare. My family moved over 30 miles from the nearest Bally's. I politely returned our membership cards along with instructions to bill the $50 cancellation fee to our credit card, a map showing our new location, and a copy of our new lease to Bally's on April 1st. Today is December 8th and I was contacted by a collection agency stating that I owed Bally's over $1700. I called Bally's (for approximately the 8th time) to find out what was going on. They stated that I did not cancel properly and that they did receive my last fax of all the above info., however, it would take at least 2-3 weeks for them to recall the collections on my credit report, if they found that I could cancel.
DON'T JOIN BALLY'S. I would love to have that sign made and put up in front of every Bally gym.
Corinne
Woodland Park. CO
This is the website to Bally's company report by the BBB. http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=25282&sm=
Everyone needs to fill out a complaint. I don't know if this will help. I filed a complaint, but have yet to hear anything. Down with Bally's.
I can't tell you how many times I have called Bally's for different reasons. When I joined I lived in NJ and I told them that I was moving back to NYC soon they told me all of these locations that I could use including Crunch gyms. I had several near my new apt. that I could use. As I went to them one by one to work out they told me no that I would have to pay extra for these locations. Then I found out that the 2 year contract that I had originally is now a 3 year contract. They explained that one by they had to due to the type of package I had. All in all it has just been one lie after another and no way for me to get out of it. Now if I want to work out I have to travel 45 min to the nearest location. Needless to say, I'm no longer in shape! What ever you do, DON'T JOIN!
Toni
I am ready to picket my Bally's. Anyone with me? I went to Bally's to utilize a two week pass and was told that I could do a 30-day money back guarantee. I was NOT told about the 12 workout policy, but luckily, when I got home, I read the contract carefully and made sure that I worked out at least 16 times in the 30 days. When I wrote to cancel my membership after 27 days, they told me I had only worked out 10 times. Magically, 6 of my workouts did not show up. A few times that I went to workout, the computers were down, and I was told to just go ahead. I insisted that my information be input manually. However, those workouts did not show up. I have trying to get this matter rectified for a month now. Now, the corporate office in California is not even answering the phone. Supposedly it's because of heavy call volumes. I BET IT IS!!!! These people are crooks and should go to jail for fraud. Martha Stuart is in jail, and these people are still in the streets?"?? There is no justice!!!
Bally's is nothing but a verbal/contractural lie! Do not believe anything any one says. Not even if you get it in writing from one of their sales people.
Hell there was one that made me a manager of where I worked at the time to make it seem like I could afford their membership longterm (this he filled out himself unbeknownest to myself). After taking the first monthly in cash and disappearing, then my, then, bank account being charged. I get a phone call telling me I NEVER made any payments on my membership BILL.
The whole 3 days to cancel, and trial periods are all a farse. Best thing to do is inform every one you know that they should never go there. Even if the thought pops into your head, getting annoyed by ANYTHING, mention it and pass it on.
Here's a little something from their own site if no one wants to believe what others have said about bally's being only interested in gaining more money.
The address: https://onyx.ballyfitness.com/company/index.asp
Shaping a better future.
Bally Total Fitness is committed to building upon its position and brand as the leading provider of fitness services. Bally is helping our members achieve their fitness goals by providing the highest quality service, facilities and products in a fun, friendly, safe and welcoming environment.
As a result, Bally operates our business in a manner designed to ensure our long-term success and maximize returns to shareholders.
If you have any complaints, just file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org/
Check out various class action lawsuits against ballys -
http://www.khorrami.com/Cases%20Web/Bally/Intro%20Bally.htm
Bally's Deceptive & Scary "Statement"
This is what happened to me: I joined a health club (Bally's Total Fitness) while living temporarily in California. The club sold me a memebrship that I paid monthly with my credit card. They told me the membership would also allow me to use their facilities in my home city (New York) when I returned. When I returned to NY, I learned that my membership applied to only a few branches, none of which were convenient to my home. For this reason, I cancelled my membership by telephone. A month or so after cancelling, I received a "monthly statement" from Bally's. It informed me of a past due charge, a current charge, a notice about late fees and some text about "adverse credit reports". I phoned them assuming they'd made an error in processing my cancellation. They rep on the phone told me I didn't have to pay it unless I intended to resume my membership and that I don't actually owe any money. I would however continue to receive these "statements" unless I requested not to get them. Nowhere on the statement did it say anything about the fact that I'd cancelled. I might have expected to get some sales materials asking me to rejoin but this piece was clearly a bill. Nowhere on the entire piece of paper was it stated that it was an offer. Rather it used frightening language about my credit report, late fees etc. When I asked to speak to a manager to complain, the rep said no one could speak to me and then had the nerve to try to continue to sell me a new membership. I strongly feel that this is extremely deceptive direct mail practice. It looks like an over due bill! I'd never even received a first bill for the portion that was supossedly late. After much aggrevation and distress (my request to speak to a manager was denied) I asked to have the mailings stopped. I hope this has ended the problem for me. But can they be stopped? I'm sure they are carefull enough not to do anything technically illegal but it is very deceptive and scary.
I was about to join Bally's. After reading about the fraud they perpetrate as a habit, I will be joining the Y instead. Thanks.
HELP!!!! I CAN'T CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP...I THINK I MIGHT JUST GET THE GUTS TO GO JUMP OFF A BUILDING AND THEN MAYBE AFTER I BREAK EVERY BONE ON MY BODY BALLY'S TOTAL FITNESS WILL CONSIDER LETTING ME CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP...BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS I HAD NO IDEA HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO CANCEL, I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY THE STUPID MEMBERSHIP, THE GYM REALLY SUCKS AND I HONESTLY WOULD RATHER JUST PAY A CANCELATION FEE THEN TO PUT UP WITH THE HEAD ACHE OF THE HARASSING PHONE CALLS AND PAYING FOR A GYM I REFUSE TO ATTEND...IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVICE PLEASE E MAIL ME
I am doing a 30 day free offer at ballys. I was thinking about joining but after these reviews, I think I better stick with roy wilkins family center.
See link for Bally Total Fitness fax number:
http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportExtensionPage.aspx?CompanyID=25282&sm=#Phones
Fax number: (562) 484-2484
Get a travel agent to give you an itenary for a one way ticket out of the country, fax it to them and they will cancel for $50. No questions asked.
Good luck!
The people at Bally's are deceitful, dishonest, and are more than happy to make you jump through hoops for weeks before answering any questions. They guy said that if I went 12 times, I would get the first month's membership for only $5, but no matter how many times I went I could always quit after a month.
Not so.... My new job requires that I travel, and I was out of state 4 times during my first month of membership, so I couldn't go 12 times. When I tried to quit, I was told I couldn't. When I talked to the guy who signed me up, he flatly denied telling me I would be able to quit and told me I should have read all the fine print.
I asked to speak with a manager. Over the course of 4 weeks, I called Ballys 11 times. I was continually told the manager wasn't available, and that he would call me back (rarely happened). On the few occations I did speak with a manager, he always said "I'll look into it, call me later". After 4 weeks, the manager finally said, "You have no case. You can't quit. Even if you had a case, I can't help you, you would have to call the corporate office." I got the number for the office, and the person I spoke to informed me they wouldn't help, and that they didn't have the authority to help anyway. Not one time did I speak to any employee who actually had the authority to cancel my membership, even if they had wanted to. Bally's is evil.
I can't afford not to go to Ballys now that I am apparently a member for life. As such, I am planning on PRINTING T-SHIRTS WITH ANTI-BALLYS SENTIMENTS TO WEAR TO THE GYM WHENEVER I GO. If you have any suggestions for the text on the shirts, please let me know. I encourage everyone here to do the same if you are unlucky enough to still be a member.
Also, I've noticed they often have representatives recruiting other minions and poor, hapless folks like us at malls. Get a t-shirt or a poster and go read a book on a bench next to their kiosk. Lets try to warn the unsuspecting public so more don't become victims.
By the way....
Ironically, the google adds at the top of the page are trying to get me to join ballys again...
Isustained a head injury last year while walking on a treadmill. It happened so fast, less than a minute when the treadmill went out of control and I suffereed a concussion on my head. I was sent by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. I had lost consciousness for a few minutes. I written a letter to Bally to have them pay my medical bills. They flatly denied the claim and told me that the machine was fine. They even showed me the fine print of my waiver. I am bringing them to court.
I too have become an unsuspecting victim of this evil gym. My friend gave me a guest pass to go work out with him. I spoke with one of the assistant managers who apparently knew my friend from working out. He said he was going to do me a favor since I was friends with someone he knew and offered me a month's pass for $5. At the end of the month, I went to cancel, and they told me I had to go 12 times, which the guy never mentioned. Plus, he never told me I would be stuck with the membership for 3 years! At $50 a month!! The idiot signed me up for one of their more expensive memberships! Now, I find out that the only way to cancel the membership is to get a doctor's note or move far away. No doctor will give me a fake note because of malpractice issues going around. How do I get out? I'm moving to South Carolina! There is no Bally there. This place is evil and should go out of business. I really hate Bally.
My Girl friend had experienced the same thing by Bally Total Fitness. She signed up under the 30 day guarantee, only to be told later that she could not cancel her membership because she did not go 12 times. But she was never told of the 12 time stiupulatiuon.
I just wanted to let you know we successfully won a small claims law suit against Bally’s Total Fitness. We are to receive all of our money back plus all court cost to sue them. If you need any help suing them let me know.
Ron
No, I'm not from New York, but Ballys seems to be an evil cancer across the US. I am a soldier that was actually quite happy at Ballys,but in 2003 I was sent overseas by the US Army. The rep at the main B@!!#s office told me to simply fax my orders and we were done. She even wished me well in her confirmation call and hoped I would have a great time rejoining when I finished my service. I was impressed with the whole system... until I returned to the US after two years of serving overseas to find what I thought was a household bill was actually Ballys stealing from me while serving overseas in an area not conducive to checking on petty theives. The sad portion is that I didn't find out until I returned to the States and attempted to purchase a vehicle only to hear the salesman tell me my credit wasn't looking so hot due to an out standing bill. When I checked a credit company, I was shocked to find they had been charging me for two years but could no longer steal from me when I changed bank accounts and have been sending negative statements on my report!Then when I contacted them to resolve this, the little wench had the gall to tell me I had to pay it off, and when I did they could only place me as an "account resolved". NO CLEARING MY NAME, NO NOTHING! I am keeping all correspondance with them and have just sent a registered letter to cancel, but apparently after reading this column that will be of little use. I intend to report them to the US Government under the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, but if there is up to date info on lawsuits, please help. If they won't clear my record, I would gladly throw to a lawyer thrice what they say I owe them to see them pay.
I need help! This has to do with the Ballys gym on 34th st bet 5th and 6th ave in Manhattan. I have been having a problem with Ballys for the past 4 years. I went to Ballys for 12 months and then I assumed that my contract was over. In actuality, they had signed me up for a 3 year contract and I didn't even realize it!!! They lied!
Some bad things happened there- first of all, my locker was broken into and I think it was a staff member who did it(but I cant prove it). They did nothing whatsoever to reimburse me for what was stolen and even refused to investigate the staff member I told them it was.
The second thing that happened is that I had signed up for a joint account with someone, so we could each pay half. That person left the country, so I was stuck paying the full amount which was about $100 a month! I asked if I could get someone else put on the membership so I could split it again, and they said NO!
Third, a man was seen prowling in the women's shower area more than once and no precautions were taken to keep the pervert out!
I did not feel safe at this gym, I was tricked into signing up for a 3 year contract, and I was then not allowed to continue with the same deal as I had. So, I simply stopped going.
Well, a negative statement was put on my credit report saying I owed them $1600. The following year, the account had been sold to a collection agency and there was ANOTHER statement saying I owed around $2500 put on there. The year after that, the same thing happened, only now the amount is $3500! Nothing happened the year after that, but finaly this year yet ANOTHER collection agency bought the debt, only now they say I owe $540. I guess they are realizing I will never give them a penny for anything to do with Ballys.
Throughout all this, Ballys put on my credit report that my account with them is still open AND IN GOOD STANDING, and it was closed due to refinance! That's something that never happened!
I need serious help to get all this crap off my credit report. I have been turned down for credit because of this. I had to apply for a secured credit card. This is crazy. I'm now of the age where I need to start worry about my credit, and this is the only thing screwing it up.
Does anyone know where I should start? What type of lawyer should I get, and how much do they usualy charge?
Thanks so much,
Christine
I tried to cancel during the 30 day fitness challenge only due to club errors I was only signed in 10 of the 13 times I went and now they won't honor the new poolicy.
My case is really special. We have never been to a Bally's or ever signed up for a membership!!! Some guy with the same name as my husband never paid his membership, and I guess that they couldn't locate him. Therefore they went to a directory and started sending us collection notices. Bally's says they have nothing to do with the mix up, and the collection agency says that it's Bally fault. Now we are getting a call from a lawyer saying there is a case against my husband. I guess they are so desperate for money, that they are going after people that don't even have memberships! I feel really bad for those that actually do.
RON! I need help, They told me all I needed to do is pay $50 and that months fees and I was good to go. The sales rep. told me that 3 times, and now a friend and his girl joined before talking to me and they were told the same thing. I feel sorry for them.
I was thinking of joining a gym but thank god I read this first. I feel so bad for the people who unsuspectingly got involved with Bally. It sounds very familier...I was "taken" by a moving company before for alot of money and it really sucks to be in a position in which there is seemingly no way out....like signing up with a loan shark or the mob....thank you all for complaining so vehemently and saving others...
I was thinking of joining a gym but thank god I read this first. I feel so bad for the people who unsuspectingly got involved with Bally. It sounds very familier...I was "taken" by a moving company before for alot of money and it really sucks to be in a position in which there is seemingly no way out....like signing up with a loan shark or the mob....thank you all for complaining so vehemently and saving others...
My wife singed up November 05 and our nightwear is just beginning.
She didn't know about the 12-visit rule.
You who have experienced this problem before know what works and what doesn't.
I read many postings asking or offering help but no contact info.
Please contact me: macmike24@yahoo.com
You future victims, I'll let you know what happened to me.
Thank you for all of your comments on Bally's. I've held a gym membership for a few years, and I will be moving to NYC in the very near future. I had considered joining Bally's, but after reading these heartfelt comments, I will avoid the place like the plague. Regards, Ken
I'm getting screwed too. If anyone can help me please contact me with the heading "Bally's Screwed You". I signed up for the 8 weeks free membership on the discovery's website where it's called discovery health. Well that guy I signed up with said that before the free trial ends, I must call to cancel the membership. Well I called to cancel but they gave me a number to cancel, so the wait was too long and I decided to check the website to ee if I can do it and it said I have to pay 41.05 a month and I owe $1,436.75. So I went and called the phone number, waited for 2 hours and they said I can't cancel it because I signed the contract. What is this?? PLEASE!! If someone can help me, email me and I'll give you a number to contact me if needed. I have no money to pay for this!
Andy
This is my email, I get a lot of junk mail. It's obvious why huh? So give it that heading I mentioned and email me if you can help me.
Anh_92481@hotmail.com
i recently went to bally's in altamonte springs fl on a five day pass that a friend gave me.. i went in one weekend just to view the facility.. i told the sales consultant (JIM) several times that i did not want to join because i was already a member of another gym and i was just coming in to view the facility.. before i knew it JIM had me in his office trying to lock me into an agreement.. i told JIM that i was not interested and that i work late nights and that this BALLYS does not stay open late enough to suit my needs, however JIM being the persistent sales rep that he is kept on forcing the contract saying that i could terminate the agreement in 30 days and all i would have to do is pay $5.00 and i could work out and that would give me a better feel for the facility.. i confirmed with JIM that i would only be able to work out on the weekends because of my late work schedule .. JIM assured me that this was no problem and just cancel before the end of the month to ensure that my credit card will not be charged... i agreed and signed the contract... needless to say at the end of the month i came in and told JIM that i would like to cancel my contract because i am unable to make it in on weekdays for workouts due to my schedule and he gave me every reason in the book to stay with the gym.. i said that the gym was of no benefit to me and that i was already a member of another gym that stays open late ... JIM then made a quick phone call and told me that my credit card would not be charged and he then said in a vengeful tone that i was still bound by the contract because i had not visited the gym for a total of 12 times throughout the month.. nor did i ever have a personal training session.. he said that i had to visit the gym 8 more times over the next week and see a personal trainer or i would be locked into the 36 month contract... i asked him why did he not mention this a the beginning of the agreement and he assured me that he told me all of the terms and conditions of the 30 trial offer even though he did not... i also reminded him that i never got a copy of the contract nor did i get a copy of the terms and conditions, and most certainly he did not tell me of the 12 day visit clause... even the corporate office said that i should have received a copy of the contract... i told him that there was no way that i could make it in for 8 more visits concerning my work schedule and there was only a few more days left in the month.. then JIM sort of blew it off as if that is not my concern... i became very frustrated at this point and started to call the general manager AMANDA who never would return my calls... til this day i am still trying to work my way out of the Ballys nightmare... if someone invites you to come to Ballys for a free visit remember their goal is only to trap you for life. good luck.
Posted by ray
I have tried to cancel my membership since 2002.
Unfortunately it didn't work.
Have anybody managed? Please advise.
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Singer George Michael lends the piano on which John Lennon wrote Imagine to an anti-war exhibition...
this is my personal feeling about Bally Total Fitness - please, indulge
http://bucket19.blogspot.com
people i was a general manager for bally in atlanta it is all a danny wright my sup.used to force us to sell to any one that walk tru the door we had to force people to buy lie to them becouse if not we will get fire
Three yrs ago I went to Bally's with my husband who happens to have lifetime membership with the intent of signing up for their three months for $110 deal. After talking a lot of crap this man made us sign some forms. Soon thereafter I found out that I was 13 wks pregnant and I had terrible nausea so ended up not really using my membership. $ 110 down the drain right ?! NOPE! THat man made us sign a three year contract and every month my husband's credit card showed $50 going to Bally's!! We called them and tried to talk with them but ofcourse they said we signed a contract ! I am telling you I read the contract before signing maybe not the fine print BUT why should signing up for three yrs be in fine print ?? I was so so **** off esp since we had to move to another sate and there was no Bally's nearby. Its a terrible gym that feels like some underhanded shady business ground and my husband goes to NYSC eventhough he has lifetime Bally's membership !! Its a gym where decent classy people should not enter !
Can you give me contact information for Danny Wright?
I LOVE Bally's and am looking to buy one for my son. Does anyone have one they would like to sell and transfer? email piccolo3@gmail. com
I LOVE Bally's and am looking to buy one for my son. Does anyone have one they would like to sell and transfer? email piccolo3@gmail. com
Bally's is the most deceitful gym in America. I like many people on this website signed up for a membership, I was told I had 3 days to cancel with no strings attached. I was also told that within 30 days, I would have to make 12 visits (one with a personal trainer) and write a letter of cancellation and I could cancel with no strings attached.
Of course, dealing with this stupid gym, I should have known better. I did all of the above things that I was required to do and guess what I have a bill of 2,833 that they say I owe. I was told that a letter was mailed and a phone call was made (must have been an imaginary). To make a long story short, I call the office and was told to clear this up you need to make a payment of 68.00 and we will not send your information the collection company.
I have been fighting this tooth and nail and I am not getting the results that I feel are fair. This club sucks, I swear if I could go back in time, I would have NEVER signed up for this club.
wow im a bit overwhelmed by all the negative comments....was planning to join but i guess i wont.its a shame because i travel alot and wanted the convience of a gym in most cities to use.i love the gym atmosphere and just being around others with the same goals........the business practices people employ for that almighty dollar and geniunely not caring for you one least bit its really disappointing and morally wrong to cheat people and embarrass people because of there weight.its digusting to know people with that type of human behavior.....and if ever i had a child working for ballys or wherever and exhibited those tactics i read about i would give him/her a SPANKING they wouldnt forget and i spent twenty years in the us army and i can definitely do that and would.but by the grace of God i have a son that would not do those things.im sorry for lady that cried after being cornered.please tell me there names and where they and if they are still there i will personnally go there and take care of that.they will never embarass you again that i promise...so sorry...and im a man that is embarass to know other men are like that.
thank you ronald shaffer
freddybmosaics@yahoo.com