Complaint Review: Curves International

From the outset, my local Curves seemed like a great place to advance my fitness goals. The owners seemed knowlegeable & positive, so I felt confident in signing up for a year. However, it was soon apparent they hired unskilled & untrained attendants to babysit the clients while the owners attend a multitude of Curves corporate functions... and continue to open more Curves money-mills. After several exercise-related injuries, I quit going to the studio. My health returned almost immediately and currently allows me a regular, very healthy cardiovascular workout at home. Without the harsh hydraulics & goofy posturing the Curves gym would encourage, that is.

I thought the expiration of my 12-month contract would mean the direct deduction of my checking account would cease. Four months later, I discovered the continuing sucking sound in my bank account was Curves & inquired how they are able to justify this business practice. The 12-month contract I signed with Curves showed a clause at the end of the sentence (not in BOLD like the 12-month part) that allows them to continue to make the deductions for an additional 24 months UNLESS you provide a 30-day written notice of termination. They justify their $30/mo. by continually phoning to check on "how you are doing." That means no refund, even though I haven't been to the gym in almost a year. What bad karma for a business to build.

No Ron - Palmetto Bay, Florida, it is truly a greater day, month, year, etc. to NOT be ripped off by Curves.

If you want to really help fat Americans, buy them boots to make it through all the bull that you wrote.

You are an investor...not The Saviour of Fat American Women. It is about the MONEY.

As a franchise owner and operator of a Curves franchise I find it amusing to read these problems with Curves; each one is independently owned either by a hands on owner(better situation) or an absentee owner(less desirable) and as far as I can see, the 12 month agreement provides the consumer with many protections as well as an easy way to cancel your contract with minimal effort and expense. Try working with Lady Fitness of America or Bally's!!

I have set up all my business transactions to be done electronically via credit card or e-check-welcome to the 21st century if this is new to you!! This greatly reduces overall expense of operating the business especially with respect to time. With regard to the hours of operation; this is completely at the discretion of the owner. As a small business that has recently opened, gradually extending our hours to meet the needs of our clients is imperative. After extending yourself financially to open, hire a few employees(job creation)I found it necessary to limit the hours of operation to control my payroll expenses; as my membership grows so will the hours of operation to meet MY clients needs!

Overall my wife and I opened due to the increasing need to address the weight problem confronting the USA in a non-threatening manner. As an RN I am acutely aware of the ravages of syndrome x or metabolic syndrome and the results of these conditions if left ubtreated-it is NOT pretty! In South Florida there is a epidemic of diabetes as well which coincde with metabloic syndrome; the ONLY way to address this situation is via diet and exercise-however you may get it!!

You will always have a few people who will find something to complain about, be it legitimate or not! Overall my clients have been extremely appreciative of my wife's efforts to provide a valuble service to their community and our truly genuine concern for our clients health-this IS what it REALLY is ALL ABOUT!!

As far as opening a franchise the only part I found difficult was establishing a territory due to the fact that most of South Florida had been sold out; Broward county before Dade county. I was referred to a map showing what territories were available and talked to several owners to clarify the process; and Curves International was extremely helpful in the rest of the process, I would suggest to Brad that he contact Curves legal to expedite his refund; sounds like there was definitely some miscommunication here; it happens!!ITS GREAT TO BE AT CURVES!!!

A lot of these stories I read about Curves are just crazy..but of course every company has its mishaps.

As an employee at Curves I get treated very fairly. Our customers are happy and enjoy coming to the club. Everyone who first joins is taught how to use the machines and a fitness technician should always be on the circuit to make sure the customers are using the machines properly.

Yes I dont agree with the draft but its just company policy.

Its a great company to work for and I am really happy to be a part of it.

For everyone who has had a bad experience at Curves, my apologies. It seems as though the Curves where all of you signed up to was not as caring as they should have been.

I hope all of you do get the justice you deserve as well.

I went Curves back in the summer of 2004, to inquire about a membership, before I started asking questions about their membership fees, she put a contract in front of me. She then told me I had to put down $74.00 sign-fee immediately since this was a special promotion. She then asked me did I have a credit card, I told her no. I told her I can pay in cash, she then hiked the sign-up fee to $150.00. I questioned her about this and asked is this legal, she brushed me aside. She then asked me did I have a checking account, I told her yes, but at the moment I have a freeze on it becasue I had some unathuorized transactions that was being investigated by my bank. She then told me if I pay cash the monthly fee will go up by 20.00. I then took a tour of facility, I was not impressed, I told her I have a severe knee condition and that their equipment will do more harm than good, she then became agitated. I thank Ripoff Report and you all for saving me from this company

First off...if Charlene Johnson of Warren, MI, found Curves so great.....why did you quit them and open up your own club, not affiliated with Curves? As I read it, you are their competition in your part of the Earth and taking away revenue from them.

Curves is a waste of money and the automatic deduction should be a crime. The bank will not let you stop the autopay on your own account. And to those who put a STOP Payment, they are not permanent. Close the account.

The three Curves that I would visit are all run by investors who know nothing about working with the public.
One owner was sitting out in the workout area yelling at a client on a portable phone telling them that she didn't want their business. Best part she had an office with a door right in front of her.
Another owner was working out and yelling to another client accross the room about another member and something that they did that she didn't like.
Another owner rings a COW BELL when you lose a pound.........that is so degrading.
And another time a client was disagreeing with the owner about the contract. And because the owner couldn't get the client to stop disagreeing, she called the police and had them escorted out of the building. The client was not yelling, cursing, and/or threatening.

And then the stupidest operating hours. M-F 7 to 6. Closed from 12-2. Saturday from 8-11, or noon. Closed on Sunday and Holidays.

If you have to work so that you can pay for the membership and you work M-F 8-5 and there aren't showers at Curves. Their hours are only for the convenience of the owners.

They will disappear eventually.

I have recently joined Curves three weeks ago. I love it. It is great motivation to know I can get results without hurting myself. In reference to the contract you save $10 to have it deducted from your account. I felt comfortable doing this because of Curves being such a well known company. At the Curves I goto if I decide I wanted to quit I am allowed to cancel my contract and the max I would have to pay back would be $50 according how many months I have been there. When you originally signed up if you did not sign a contract it would have been 39.00 so if you quit you pay the $10 for every month you worked out, with a max of $50.

To the ladies who feel that the 12 month contract is a rip-off. I joined a curves and signed the 12 month contract. Because I signed the contract I was more encouraged to work out, because I was paying for it. Also the owner of the curves explained because I was committing to the 12 months she was giving me a better rate than people who would only commit to a one month thing. You proably won't see great results in a month, and if you do why would you want to quit?

I cancelled my contract 1 month prior to the last deduction and had no problems, I was given back all the drafts for the future months that were printed.

I think that you need to evaluate the real reason that you don't want to make the committment and quit running a good thing down in the ground

Very happy to have been a curves member. I lost 80 lbs and opened my own ladies workout center. Fit For Eternity. Best 30 bucks a month I ever spent and hope that curves and all the other 30 minute workout places keep up the good work

Charlene Johnson
Warren MI

I read my contract well so I thought! After the twelve months were up I too decided to no longer have my membership continue. After notifying them of this I was still getting the monthly payment deducted from my account as well. I eventually had to put a stop payment on them and file a claim with my bank! I got my money returned to me by my bank plus all the fees. I highly recommend anyone who is considering going to curves to look elsewhere!

After the 12 month contract that curves has you sign they will not stop the automatic bank deduction. nor will they refund the amount they have taken. i had to have a stop payment permanently put on curves at my bank.

THANK YOU * THANK YOU * THANK YOU to the people who have pointed out how Curves is doing business in Florida; I trust you have just saved me a lot of money!

I had been considering joining Curves with a few friends but my concern is Curves' "12-month deduction from your checking account" or else the costs are higher for both monthly and initial membership fees.

What business is it of theirs if I have a checking account? If they want a 12-month commitment, they should ask for a signed contract as my word is good.

I find it offensive that this outfit charges more money to join from anyone not willing to share their bank account information (in this day of identity theft even!).

Not too S*M*A*R*T.

Again, thanks for writing, Floridians......I'll find another place to join.

I also had been given the run around by Kinnie Gibson. Although I didn't get as far into the process. I was only one step from sending in the money. The amount of time wasted for myself and real estate agents and landlords was phenomenal.
I do have to wonder what is going on out there in Texas. Does anyone out there really know what they are doing?

I've met Gary Heavin and WAS NOT IMPRESSED!!
I won't be spending another red cent on Curves. Either as an owner or a member!

I am a current Manager of a Curves in Rhode Island. It is an incredible place to work. The owners of the club I work in own four clubs and they have NEVER had a problem or even come close to being "ripped-off." The owners, myself and all of my fellow employees truly believe in what we do and we all love what we do. We have a genuine desire to help every woman that walks through the door, as well as making it an incredibly fun place to be. I couldn't have asked for better people or a better company to work for.

Curves is AWESOME!!!!!

I own three Curves for Women locations in Maryland. I have never had such a problem with anyone at Curves... There are over 6,000 locations with thousands of franchisees. Don't you think if Curves operated like that, they would have failed by now?

There must be some mistake. If I were you - I would have had my lawyer call or write a letter 7 months ago. Hey - you said it was $29,000 - why wouldn't you just go to Waco and show up at their office? Doesn't sound like you are pushing very hard... I wouldn't just let my $29,000 go!!! That's crazy!! PS - I happen to know that the franchise fee was currently just under $26,000 a few months ago. 8 Months ago it was just under $20,000 - something doesn't sound right about the $29,000 - I should know, I bought 3 of the franchises.

I know that Curves can get very busy. They have thousands of people that want to open up franchises! That's why I say you should push it! Don't just leave messages! Show up there, get your attorney involved!

Curves International is a good company. Sometimes things can slip through the cracks at any company. My life is great now because of my 3 clubs. I love that they allowed me to purchase my franchises!

Good Luck