Complaint Review: Balley's Total Fitness

For anyone who was thinking about joining Bally's Total Fitness I would highly suggest that you entertain other options. Trust me the thin figure or muscular definition is not worth the hassle you will endure.

In 1995, I was lurred into visiting Bally's under their "30 day free trial membership", and after this so called "FREE" trial period, you could join the club for a low monthly fee of $19/month. **WARNING** Please take note to the fact that they still use this advertising today, or some variation. ($19 down/$19 a month)

After only one visit, where I was asked to fill out a form to receive my "FREE" membership, I decided against joining and never returned. Now almost 14 years later, I am still receiving collection letters and harrassing phone calls stating that I owe Bally's anywhere between $1000-$2500.

Wow! Not only is their "FREE" trial membership extremely deceptive, but their math skills are a bit shakey as well. Even if a contract for membership was somehow binded at $19/month during this free trial, how do they come up with $1000 or $2500? Heck, at that rate I would have had to be a member for at least 11 of the last 14 years. Did I somehow automatically renew my membership indefinitely after only one visit as well?

Over the years I have collected the countless harrassing letters and have even entertained some of the many collection calls on occassion. But really when is enough, enough? To think of the all the paper, postage, and wasted time they have spent futilly trying to collect a false debt that they have created. At this point they would probably have already saved whatever money they think I owe if they just gave up. I mean, do they really think anyone would pay them $1000, or $2500 for visiting their club during a Free membership session?

Let it be known that I HAVE NOT and WILL NOT ever pay even 1 penny toward this extorsionist debt. If you have fallen victim to this scam feel free to post your complaint against them as well so maybe collectively we can go after Bally's for their deception. I'll even make the harrassing phone calls until they pay back all of the people whom they have taken advantage.

Irishb31
Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S.A.