Fitness First - we salute you!
May 18th 2007, 11:15 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney beachside
Posts: 3,505
Re: Fitness First - we salute you!
FF took over the gym membership list of the lovely little gym I used to frequent in the city.
When I tried to cancel, they found all sorts of obstacles to prevent me doing so....had to go to the gym in person, at the location I joined. As I had moved jobs and homes since that time, it was not easy. Then ...surprise...the only person who could possibly take the cancellation notice was not around.
I decided to stand close to people being persuaded to sign up and voice my concerns loudly...cancellation was grudgingly given!
When I tried to cancel, they found all sorts of obstacles to prevent me doing so....had to go to the gym in person, at the location I joined. As I had moved jobs and homes since that time, it was not easy. Then ...surprise...the only person who could possibly take the cancellation notice was not around.
I decided to stand close to people being persuaded to sign up and voice my concerns loudly...cancellation was grudgingly given!
My 18-year-old son joined our local Fitness First (he was a sucker for the slick sales job). Once he got home and we pointed out that he'd be paying $x a fortnight for ever, he sensibly decided to utilise the cooling-off period and cancel the deal.
It was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. He had to attend at a particular time, when the ONLY person supposedly 'authorised' to handle cancellations was available at the gym. Of course, this person was never there, then when she was found (on about the third visit), the special 'form' that had to be filled in couldn't be found. We suspected that they were trying delaying tactics to get us past the cooling-off period so the membership couldn't be cancelled without a penalty.
Eventually my husband fronted up, got rather rude and nasty and they did the cancellation.
I will never, ever have anything whatever to do with a Fitness First Gym as long as I live.
By the way, the company was started in Bournemouth, UK. They became entrenched very quickly in Australia by taking over existing gym chains.
May 19th 2007, 11:34 am
#17
www.perthcrest.com.au
Joined: May 2005
Location: Wonderful Carine, Perth
Posts: 454
Re: Fitness First - we salute you!
Yup, they pull every trick in the book if you try to cancel your membership. They make it as difficult as possible - presumably so you'll give up and just keep on paying.
My 18-year-old son joined our local Fitness First (he was a sucker for the slick sales job). Once he got home and we pointed out that he'd be paying $x a fortnight for ever, he sensibly decided to utilise the cooling-off period and cancel the deal.
It was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. He had to attend at a particular time, when the ONLY person supposedly 'authorised' to handle cancellations was available at the gym. Of course, this person was never there, then when she was found (on about the third visit), the special 'form' that had to be filled in couldn't be found. We suspected that they were trying delaying tactics to get us past the cooling-off period so the membership couldn't be cancelled without a penalty.
Eventually my husband fronted up, got rather rude and nasty and they did the cancellation.
I will never, ever have anything whatever to do with a Fitness First Gym as long as I live.
By the way, the company was started in Bournemouth, UK. They became entrenched very quickly in Australia by taking over existing gym chains.
My 18-year-old son joined our local Fitness First (he was a sucker for the slick sales job). Once he got home and we pointed out that he'd be paying $x a fortnight for ever, he sensibly decided to utilise the cooling-off period and cancel the deal.
It was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. He had to attend at a particular time, when the ONLY person supposedly 'authorised' to handle cancellations was available at the gym. Of course, this person was never there, then when she was found (on about the third visit), the special 'form' that had to be filled in couldn't be found. We suspected that they were trying delaying tactics to get us past the cooling-off period so the membership couldn't be cancelled without a penalty.
Eventually my husband fronted up, got rather rude and nasty and they did the cancellation.
I will never, ever have anything whatever to do with a Fitness First Gym as long as I live.
By the way, the company was started in Bournemouth, UK. They became entrenched very quickly in Australia by taking over existing gym chains.
Ah well, to be fair, I have nothing but huge respect for my old FF gym in Bristol. My membership was due to expire as I moved to Oz, and I wanted monthly membership there (cause I didnt wanna commit, not knowing when I would be leaving), which they dont do, so instead they gave me free membership cards for 3 months till I left! (I went 5 times a week).
I then re-joined at Balga WA, and they are great. Loads cheaper than UK, and (although I havent tried to quit - wouldnt want to - still a few kgs to shift), I love 'em! My friend is a member of a different gym close by and has had similar probs trying to cancel her membership.
ATB
Nicola
May 20th 2007, 6:15 am
#18
Lucyb reincarnated
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: HOME SWEET HOME!
Posts: 65
Re: Fitness First - we salute you!
God they SUCK! I will steer well clear after reading this! I dare someone to email this thread to their head office. They sound like a bunch of crooks!
May 20th 2007, 12:22 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Fitness First - we salute you!
strangely enough there was an article in the Herald Sun today about these dubious practices....direct debits being taken long after an agreement has expired.
The DD person said that 'gyms' (no names mentioned) were the worst offenders and often the agreement with the gym was separate to the agreement with the DD collection as this is usually outsourced. Some gyms were collecting DDs for 2 years after membership was cancelled....
The DD person said that 'gyms' (no names mentioned) were the worst offenders and often the agreement with the gym was separate to the agreement with the DD collection as this is usually outsourced. Some gyms were collecting DDs for 2 years after membership was cancelled....
nice approach.
