Fitness First, virtually impossible to cancel the membership

[nsu]

Over a year ago, I decided it would be good if I did some exercises. I walked in Fitness First and signed myself one year membership. That only took 5 minutes.

Not long after that, I discovered that I am just not the type who can attend regularly. Being on the one year membership, I have found the only use for the membership card is reminding myself and showing friends that I am simply no good for exercises.

One would think it will only need a phone call to cancel the membership after one year. I have been so wrong. Membership can not be canceled over the phone. Above two weeks ago, I went back to Fitness First and was told I would need an appointment to get the membership canceled. However the person who can cancel my membership has been fully booked. So I said: no problem, just call me when he/she becomes available. So I left my phone number etc. It does not surprise me no one has called so far. I just went in again to make the appointment, the first available spot is a week late at precisely 12:30pm.

So I asked what if I missed this appointment? she said you will need to come in to make another appointment. There are 5 consultants on premises to sign anyone who walks in, but they can not cancel my membership! There is only one person who can, presume only during working hours. This not only wastes my time, but also makes me pay quite a few more $20/week.

So please, people, remind me before 12:30, 11th Dec.

[jokiin]

And let me guess, you are on a direct debit

[linton]

just go into your bank and tell them to decline any direct debits from said company, they should soon get the hint.
My gym memberships have always been a month-month basis (direct debited) and need 7 days notice in writting to cancel.

Thinking back, I think that fitness first was the company that gave my sister hassles after she had a trial 1 month membership. She cancelled before the month was up, yet they continued to direct debit.
In the end she had to employ a lawyer to recoup the unauthorised debits they made.

[Lord Smelly]

Originally Posted by linton

just go into your bank and tell them to decline any direct debits from said company, they should soon get the hint.
My gym memberships have always been a month-month basis (direct debited) and need 7 days notice in writting to cancel.

exactly, that is what I did to my gym when they wouldn't cancel my membership without me going in. I told them on the phone I would notify my bank to decline direct debits from them.

[jokiin]

It seems every time I hear a horror story about gym membership payments it involves fitness first, my nephew was on a monthly direct debit and they 'accidently' debited a 12 month membership payment and he has spent more then a month trying to get them to fix it, being given the run around constantly, I don't know anything about them but the more I hear about their business ethics the worse they sound.

[nsu]

They debit my credit card. Will I be able to stop the debit to credit card?

I will attend the bank tomorrow to stop it even if I can make myself to the appointment. I just don't feel safe with them anymore.

I asked the girl's name and noted down. The other girl laughed thinking I must be crazy. I regret I did not ask the name last time I went in.

Talking about wasting money. I used the gym 6 times only, have not used the pre-paid trainer once...

[jokiin]

You don't need them, just follow my lead, I stay fit by jumping to conclusions all the time

[Andrew_]

Why do you need Fitness First anyways? .. Maybe just jog around the block a couple of times, there are so many ways to excercise without a gym.

[popeye]

Originally Posted by Andrew_

Why do you need Fitness First anyways? .. Maybe just jog around the block a couple of times, there are so many ways to excercise without a gym.

Yeah, but at the gym you get to see cute women, wearing tight clothes, doing aerobics.

[The Muffin Man]

Originally Posted by popeye

Yeah, but at the gym you get to see cute women, wearing tight clothes, doing aerobics.

True. . . but the sweaty old men *cough* biggy *cough* sorta even it out

[custos]

Originally Posted by nsu

They debit my credit card. Will I be able to stop the debit to credit card?

Direct debit from a credit card is even better than from a savings account. Almost all credit cards have some form of automatic purchase protection. Contact your credit card company and tell them what has happened - not only can they stop the payments immediately they can possibly recoup any money you have paid since you one year was up.

[nsu]

Originally Posted by custos

Direct debit from a credit card is even better than from a savings account. Almost all credit cards have some form of automatic purchase protection. Contact your credit card company and tell them what has happened - not only can they stop the payments immediately they can possibly recoup any money you have paid since you one year was up.

Good. My intention was not going to get back any extra money they have charged despite my membership should already been canceled seeing I went in last time trying to cancel it. I will pay any money that I need to pay based on the contract I signed for even if it contains silly terms. I signed it, I will pay. My problem is they do not provide a (quick) way for me to cancel. For me, they just try to make it difficult for people to cancel so that they have extra financial gain.

I have a feeling one would need to be extra tough to cancel after their free trial.

[linton]

Indeed.

Bear in mind though, stopping the payment still isnt cancelling the contract. Until you do that with them in binding (as stupid as their process may be) they are still legally able to bill you via other means and send collectors after you.
Lie you said though,

I will attend the bank tomorrow to stop it even if I can make myself to the appointment. I just don't feel safe with them anymore.

So you'd still be better off with that added security of knowing they can't debit you anymore even if you do make the appointment.

[nsu]

Just came back from the Bank. Apparent the bank can not stop the auto debit to the credit card.

I will write a letter to inform them I want to cancel. Hope that will give me more security. As soon as I mentioned about gym/membership, the bank clerk asked which one. They started to shake heads as soon as I said FitnessFirst. So they must have been dealing with a lot of unhappy FitnessFirst customers.

[debs]

Originally Posted by nsu

Just came back from the Bank. Apparent the bank can not stop the auto debit to the credit card.

I will write a letter to inform them I want to cancel. Hope that will give me more security. As soon as I mentioned about gym/membership, the bank clerk asked which one. They started to shake heads as soon as I said FitnessFirst. So they must have been dealing with a lot of unhappy FitnessFirst customers.

I've been following this today with interest because there are a lot of gym junkies where I work. I've warned a few of them about FitnessFirst but not going into too much detail. Thankfully no-one I have spoken to today deals with or goes to FitnessFirst.

This might sound like a silly question but can you cancel the credit card

[linton]

Cancel a credit card? are you crazy?

That just sends flags to the ATO to audit your tax next year, cause if an aussie isn't in debt, there's something dodgy going on!

[nsu]

Canceling credit card does not stop the charge.

I had a card upgraded a year ago. I forgot to let the health insurance company know as they charge once every 6 months. I ended up having to pay the interests as well as late payment fee to a non-existing credit card.

[whizzfizz]

dude...

1. Write a letter to the gym requesting them to cancel your membership immediately. Either mail it, or hand deliver it (dont forget to sign it and make a copy)

2. Ring your bank, informing them that you have sent a letter to the gym to cancel your membership, and stop any further charges.

3. (provided you have a visa) the bank should be able to stop the charge under RC 41 "Cancelled recurring Transaction".

4. Any charges made 14 days after the request of cancellation can be charged back. (under the visa rules you still have to pay for any transactions within the first 14 days of cancellation, so your still gonna be up for another $40.)



hope it helps.

[snapper]

Wizz's idea sounds right however I would actually mail it to them via registered mail and pay extra to ensure Aus post gets a signature and can provide you with proof of acceptance.

If you need to go to court in the future this proof would make it clear that you wanted to cancel.

I once wanted to get out of my fitness first contract, the only way out was to pay $270 or transfer the membership to someone for the cost of $50.

I did the transfer but because the guy didnt submit everything by the end of the month I coped one more month worth of charges and FF didnt give a damn.

[nsu]

Delivered the letter and got someone to sign for it. Called the bank just now and told them I want to cancel an "auto charge" to my credit card, to my astonishment, she asked me: is that for FitnessFirst? She must have either gone through my transactions already by the time the phone was answered, or she was just having a potshot. She said there is no easy way to stop from the Bank side. Thanks whizzfizz.