Cardinal Fitness, Illinois Auto withdrawal, after cancellation New Lenox Illinois
Small enough scam, but I'll bet it adds up. Read about other fitness companies doing the same thing.
Set up my membership to be month to month, and auto deduct from my checking account.
Getting ready to move, hadn't been to Cardinal location in over a month. Went to location to fill out form to cancel on the 26th of September. Informed that there will be one more monthly charge on the 20th of October, because I had not informed them by the 20th of September.
In modern electronic banking they are powerless to cancel a deduction in less than 30 days??? It should be effective that day. I do remember when I signed up, it was near the 20th. A few days later they charged me the 19.95 for the full month, on the 20th. Didn't take them 30 days to process the charge, but apparently it takes them 30 days to remove the charge!!! I make electronic payments every chance I get, and this issue comes up often. They are instantaneous in taking charges from your account, but take up to 3 days to post a payment or a credit.
Bart
New Lenox, Illinois
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Gemgem
Huber Heights,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Cardinal Fitness tries to be fair
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, May 26, 2009
While I agree with the over all assessment that it takes too long to stop payments electronically, I have to give Cardinal Fitness their due. They do try to make it very clear and upfront about the 30 day cancellation notice. It is even printed in bold type on their ADVERTISEMENTS, not just on their agreements. And they do try to make it a visible part of the agreement, not hidden in layers and paragraphs of small print. And I don't know of any other company that lets you cancel your membership for absolutely any reason whatsoever. Cardinal doesn't even charge extra for quitting your membership. Its a relatively unique position and part of what drew me to them. They also prorate the first month's dues, for instance if you sign up on the 14th of the month (universal billing date for Cardinal is on the 20th) you will only pay a couple of dollars for the first month so you can use the gym until the first official billing date on the 20th. They won't charge you the full 19.95 and then a few days later charge you 19.95 again. How jerky would it be to charge you for days you couldn't have used the gym anyways?! Still, I get the frustration with electronic billing, my theory is that its the bank's fault- but then that's always my theory.