Bally's Total Fitness Ripoff Avoid Bally's at ALL costs - they engage in fraud Portland Oregon
Bally's practices FRAUD
I had a Bally's membership for several years, which I finally cancelled. Seven months later I received a "delinquent renewal notice", stating that I owed a full year's dues, plus a $50 reinstatement fee. This was due to my using the facility (so they claimed).
I had never stepped foot in a Bally's since I cancelled the membership. I called the location that they claimed I used and asked for my attendance record - they didn't have any. I then spoke to the manager, and he couldn't find the records... (which I find hard to believe, since these very records were used to justify billing me). After pressing the manager for details, he admitted that the notice was really a marketing ploy to get customers back.
I found this to be completely unacceptable. Whether this was setup at the top of the mgmt. chain, or done by staff at this branch, it was an outright lie and fraud. I contacted the state Attorney General to investigate, and received a letter from Bally's corporate office that they would "waive the fees" and they didn't know how or why I was charged.
I would strongly recommend avoiding Bally's. I would also contact your state's AG to get resolution. The company will ignore you until they are reported to the government. If you do consider Bally's, be very cautious when dealing with this company. Assume anything said by the staff or mgmt. is false - get everything in writing.
Also, as a general rule, NEVER allow a company to auto-bill your account to your credit/bank card. If you prefer the convenience of this feature, setup online banking where you can control the parameters.
Bally's Victim
Hillsboro, Oregon
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
A
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Consumer Beware, Nice Clubs but Long Term Committment ..For those who must escape Bally ... Get a Doctor's note
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, August 30, 2004
I am currently a Bally member since 2000. I did notice that the contract (membership for X years) that you sign is essentially a LOAN... It is built like a loan and treated like a loan. If you look carefully at the contract, coincedentally, it looks exactly like a car, instrument, debtconsolidation, simple-interest loan.
SNEAKY? Extremely! THe contract outlines how much your membership for X years will cost and then that amount is divided by X months to get your monthly due amount.
BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL with Bally's contract as with any loan. If you default or fail to pay, your credit rating will subsequently reflect that!
WhAT CAN YOU DO? Nothing b/c Bally holds you by your credit rating. You can weigh your pros and cons about joining or staying with BAlly. As far as I know, Bally is by far the BEST VALUE for a gym membership in Texas. They ARE SCREWY but much less screwy than 24 HOUR FITNESS.
For those who must escape Bally ... Get a Doctor's note saying that you are paralyzed or get some kind of proof that you moved to BF Egypt where there is not a Bally club around, or simply reck havoc at your local Bally club and get a staff extremely scared or hateful of you that they TAKE THE INITIATIVE to cancel your membership. Remember, canceling your membership with Bally is really hard because it's like saying "OKAY, I BOUGHT your service, now please let me not pay the rest of my loan because I'm not satisfied with _____"
What your membership essentially comes down to is $$. Long & short of it. These people are here to make $$. They could care less about you losing weight or taking care of your health. Remember that the next time you sign a health membership.
Michael
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
Consumer Beware, Nice Clubs but Long Term Committment
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 05, 2004
I joined Bally's in San Diego in 1988. I was also pressured to sign up saying the deal would not last. However, I was offered and accepted 3 years for the price of 2 years if I paid cash, and could use all Bally's gyms nationwide. I read the contract clearly, paid the fee, and have used the gym since then.
The Bally's Club is beautifully kept and I use it often as well as their clubs in other cities. However, I knew I would USE the club as I had used another club the last several years.
Suggestion: Don't join a gym if you are not going to have time or motivation to use it!!! Also, if you are not sure do NOT sign a long term agreeement. It is just like leasing a car or buying any other big ticket item.. You are obligated until the end of the term. Beware that just because the sales people wear relaxed gym clothes,,, does not mean they are not salespeople!
Bally's contracts are not for everybody, but many of us have enjoyed them. Have a great workout!